In the four years since Hurricane Katrina, we’ve catalogued more than 40 songs about the disaster and its aftermath. Artists of every genre have written about the storm and the suffering it caused.

On this anniversary, we look at three common ways that popular songs have told the story of Katrina: the personal, the political and the practical. The examples below range in focus from story-telling to political anger to survival.

1. The personal

Big Easy Raphael Saadiq

This is the tragedy of Katrina from the view of someone left to wonder whether his lover is dead or alive. He hasn’t seen her in two days; is she one of the many floating in the river? “Somebody please tell me what’s going wrong / They say them levees broke, and my baby’s gone.”

Any Other Day Wyclef Jean featuring Norah Jones

This heartbreaking cry for help vividly recalls the images we watched in horror on television: “I hear the engine on the boat / But y’all can’t see me waving the flag / Somebody please wave the flag.”

2. The political

Wide Awake Audioslave

Audioslave faults the government not only for failing those at home while fighting overseas, but also for placing the burden on America’s most vulnerable: “The poor and undefended left behind / While you’re somewhere trading lives for oil.”

Gov Did Nothin’ John Butler Trio

Similar themes here - a government distracted by war ignores the neediest as the death toll rises. The message of racial inequality is more clearly drawn: “Do you really think the gov would do nothin’ if all those people were white?”

 3. The practical

Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On Jimmy Buffett

After the struggle of the storm came the struggle to go on. Buffett’s lyrics are for them: “Don’t try to explain it, just nod your head / Breathe in, breathe out, move on.”

Houston R.E.M.

Some have moved on, literally. This song is about relocating to Houston, ready or not. “And some things, they fall to the wayside / Their memory is yet to be still / Belief has not yet filled me / And so I am put to the test.”

There should be a fourth perspective here — songs of rebuilding and renewal. Maybe next year.

The New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund still needs your help!