As it started around the world, New York also saw people leaning out of windows and standing on balconies waving hands, cheering, and banging pots to honor essential workers still operating during the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19. In New York City, people were seen playing the legendary rendition of the Bill Withers 1972 song “Lean on Me.”

“It’s amazing,” said Robert Hornsby, director of fundraising at the Peace of Heart Choir non-profit in New York City, once he had finished playing the song from his window in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. He said that the magnitude of energy we’ve received, and the amount of energy that we’re giving, has boosted the spirits of New Yorkers, and people across the nation, too, that’s what we hope. 

On the other side, organizers of the “New York Sings Along” event clarified the intention behind organizing the event, saying that the goal was to uplift morale and honor everyone working on the front lines and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. They said through the event they wanted to share the healing power of music while obeying social distancing rules.

Not to mention, the nonprofit organization picks one song every week and plays on Thursday nights after the applause for essential workers.

Last week, they had played Frank Sinatra’s “New York,” and it will be Ben E. King’s classic “Stand by Me” next week. 

As per the Reuters tally, the number of deaths in the U.S. has reached over 48,000. The number of people losing their lives to the global pandemic in April has risen by an average of 2,000 a day.

The legendary singer’s family had said earlier this month that Withers passed away at the age of 81 from heart complications. Bill Withers was a profound singer best known for the 1970s hits “Lean on Me,” “Lovely Day,” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.”