Lebanese Composer, Jad Mehanna, Swims Against the Tide

Lebanon marked Independence Day on Saturday; although the government canceled all celebrations because of the country's presidential vacuum; patriotic songs blared through radios and TV channels but Lebanese composer Jad Mehanna chose to swim against the tide.

Mehanna launched a short and what he described as a “shocking” song that criticizes Lebanon instead of praising it.

The song shows how tired Mehanna is of singing for and about his homeland that has been struggling for a long time to maintain its well-being. The troubled situation in the country affected all of Lebanon's sectors including the music industry which made Mehanna warn in his song that musicians and artists might leave Lebanon for good.

“I composed something that I felt is touching,” said Mehanna.

“Ninety percent of the people said the song I composed is shocking. It is a message that emanates from suffering.”