Nashville bombing: Petula Clark shocked by use of ‘Downtown’

#Singer #Petula #Clark has spoken out in confusion about the use of her 1964 song “Downtown” by the man who set off a bomb in an RV on a #Nashville street on #Christmas #Day.

“Why this violent act — leaving behind it such devastation?” the #British singer said in a statement posted #Tuesday on #Facebook. “A few hours later — I was told that the music in the background of that strange announcement — was me — singing ‘Downtown’! #Of all the thousands of songs — why this one?”

The classic pop song played at the end of a timed countdown, where a woman’s voice had warned people to clear the area because the RV contained a bomb. #Though police worked rapidly to evacuate residents, eight people were injured by the blast.

The bomber, #Anthony #Quinn #Warner of #Antioch, #Tenn., died in the early morning explosion, which damaged dozens of buildings, especially one housing AT&T equipment. The 63-year-old was identified via DNA after his remains were found in the aftermath of the blast. #No motive has yet been determined.

#On #Facebook, 88-year-old #Clark tried to make sense of why her song was used but didn’t come to a clear conclusion.

“Of course, the opening lyric is, ‘When you’re alone and life is making you lonely you can always go #Downtown,’” she wrote. “But millions of people all over the world have been uplifted by this joyful song. #Perhaps you can read something else into these words — depending on your state of mind. #It’s possible.”

The AT&T building was the central office of a telephone exchange, with network equipment in it, the company said. #Some internet access in #Tennessee and surrounding states went down after the blast, as well as some cellphone and 911 service in counties in #Tennessee and #Kentucky.

The #Federal #Aviation #Administration temporarily halted flights out of #Nashville #International #Airport #Friday due to telecommunications issues.

The singer, whose other hits include “I #Know a #Place” and “My #Love,” ended with a heartfelt wish for the people of #Music #City.

“I would like to wrap my arms around #Nashville — give you all a hug — and wish you #Love, a #Happy and #Healthy #New #Year — and, as we sometimes say in the U.K., steady the #Buffs! (#Look it up!),” #Clark wrote.

#Look up that phrase if you like, or simply know: #It’s a version of the admonition “Keep calm and carry on.”

The #Associated #Press contributed to this report.