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We got email immediately after episode #38 asking what the song was that was played at the beginning and the end. So we wrote W.G. Snuffy Walden who wrote back the following: Don Henley (of the Eagles) and the song is titled "New York Minute", written by Don Henley/Danny Kortchmar/Jai Winding. "I believe the CD is 'The End of the Innocence' Released June 20, 1989 Geffen CD 24217-2. It was also released on his 'Actual Miles: Henley's Greatest Hits' CD." What was the music that the cantor sang in the synagogue and which was repeated at the end of Episode #14 "Take This Sabbath Day"? We received several requests for this information and so wrote to the authority on music on "The West Wing" and W.G. Snuffy Walden wrote back the following: "The piece is called 'Hashkiveinu' arranged (*and/or written) by Max Helfman published by Transcontinental Music Publications, ASCAP." A version of the piece is available on "Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue" (We learned about this CD of chants from posts by "leuvenator" & "jmhardin" on the Television Without Pity's West Wing forum) Again, after the Season Finale #44, we got requests for information on the music near the end. Snuffy Walden writes: "It is Mark Knopfler singing. . . the CD is by Dire Straits. . . . the song is "Brothers In Arms" from the CD of the same name." This album is also available in the United Kingdom in a [Import] [Original Recording Remastered] version as well as another version. Jason Yee writes, "the music at the end of the episode, which kicks in when Bartlet comes in from the rain and CJ is busy with the press corp, the song is "Brothers In Arms" from the Dire Straits album of the same title (known more for the song "Money For Nothing"). Well-suited music to set the mood, due to Mark Knopfler's bluesy, weepy guitar." Shari Hartmann writes: ""Brothers in Arms" starts as President Bartlet is rising from his chair to walk out into the rain. It starts out with two low notes (bass guitar or organ?), then goes into a solo guitar. We hear "Brothers in Arms" while Charlie is holding a raincoat out to the President and is the only music heard throughout the rest of the episode. Listen to the track if you can. It's a very moving piece of music. It was also used to great effect about 10 years ago for a pre-race broadcast of the Daytona 500 (of all things)." Edward Quentin writes, "The music that underlaid the last scenes of the show (Bartlet going through the White House and the rain to the State Department) was indeed "Brothers In Arms" by Dire Straits. However, I think it was more a choice of the lyrics reinforcing the solidarity between Bartlet and his staff, especially seeing all of the aides stepping in behind Bartlet as he walks through the White House, and again as they all walk down the corridors of the State Dept going to the the press conference. (And remember, this all happens after Bartlet gets the pep talk from Mrs Landingham.)" Lyrics available. What was the Van Morrison Amy was dancing to in "We Killed Yamamoto"? The first song was "Caravan." The second, "Moondance." Both are on the Van Morrison album "Moondance." What was the music that was played in the third season finale during and after the convenience store fiasco in "Posse Comitatus"? And where is it available in U.S., UK & Australian outlets? This is Jeff Buckley's version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" (which some viewers heard as "allelulhia" or "alleluia") from his CD "Grace" (there are samples from some of the other cuts on this CD but not from this piece). · (Jeff Buckley's Grace with "Hallelujah" available in Australia) · For when this episode finally appears in Britain and Ireland, here is the link to this album in the UK. · And album is also available in Canada What was the music that the Shakespeare company was singing at the end in "Posse Comitatus"? Mel Kirby tells us "the song sung by the supposed Shakespeare Company at the end of the segment of the 'Wars of the Roses' being watched on Broadway by Pres. Bartlett is called 'Patriotic Chorus' by Stephen Oliver. It was originally composed as the Finale of the mock-Victorian revisionist 'Romeo and Juliet' which closes Part One of the 9 hour-long, 1983 Royal Shakespeare Company production of Dickens 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickelby' which was an actual hit in London's West End and on Broadway in the early 80's. One would assume that the RSC and 'endlessly long', high-brow nature of both plays would have created the intellectual resonance for Sorkin. And the originally tongue-in-cheek words and tune, a send-up of typical Victorian xenophobia, have a certain irony as played over the assassination of the Qumari defense minister." Mel Kirby also sent us the following Lyrics: "England arise! Join in the chorus! It is a new made song you should be singing. See in the skies, flutt'ring before us what the bright bird of peace is bringing! Chorus:     See upon our smiling land     where the wealths of nations stand     where prosperity and industry walk     ever hand in hand.     Where so many blessings crowd,      'tis our duty to be proud.     Up and answer, English Yeoman,     sing it joyfully aloud.     Evermore upon our country     God will pour his rich increase,     And victorious in war shall be made glorious in peace,     And victorious in war shall be made glorious in peace. this verse omitted on West Wing [ See each one do what he can to further God's almighty plan. The benificence of heaven help the skilfulness of man. Ev'ry garner fill'd with grain, Ev'ry meadow blest with rain: Rich and fertile is the golden corn that bear and bears again.] Where so many blessings crowd, 'Tis our duty to be proud. Up and answer, fellow Britons, sing it joyfully aloud. Evermore upon our country God will pour his rich increase...etc." We found a version of this available: The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1982 Televison Cast) [SOUNDTRACK] Stephen Oliver Try the sample offered of "8. Patriotic Song - Kaye, Lila" A song during a flashback in "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part II": "Celebrate!" by Kool & The Gang Played in the campaign suite after Bartlet wins the Illinois primary in a flashback. C.J. and Sam start dancing as Donna Moss approaches Josh to tell him his father has died.

Don't miss Neal Rechtman's election thriller The 28th Amendment in which an actor who portrays a fictional US President on television gets drawn into real-world politics

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