Adams refused to let New York, New York become 9/11 anthem

Ryan Adams refused to play his song New York, New York live after it was released on September 11, 2001 - because he didn't want to exploit the tragedy.

The singer debuted the track on the same day terrorists flew two hijacked planes into the World Trade Center, and it went on to become his most successful single to date.

But Adams reveals he actually begged music TV executives not to play its accompanying music video, which features the Twin Towers, and snubbed offers to use New York, New York in ad campaigns and soundtracks.

He tells Billboard.com, "I said I wasn't working the song, not playing it live. Basically, my request was that the song wouldn't be used in any television, documentaries or commercials, and that they would just take the video off. I was told they couldn't take the video out of rotation... It played a few times, and I said that if they didn't add some kind of statement to the video, I was gonna protest in some way. Finally they took care of it."

Now the star admits he's proud of his decision to grant a select few organisations permission to use his song.

He adds, "I made a lot of good decisions in my life, and making that song unavailable was good. I allowed the Yankees, NYPD and the fire department to use it if they wanted. I actually heard the beginning at a Yankee game in the old stadium, which was cool, because it wasn't getting exploited."