What are the best Vietnam era songs?

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 09:35 AM

Unbelievable.

Mary that is truly powerful song........Knowing something of you from your posts here, I know it comes from deep within....but even if I knew nothing of you, I would still say the same. Very powerful words that evoke the real tragedy of the time....and for you, in a very personal way. But its more than that.

You and I, and indeed everyone, has a differing view on those times. But one thing is true......they had a profound effect on our lives. I dislike the songs that condemn or affix blame or any of the other politically motivated things that many express. I won't do them. But the songs of the people and the suffering, sacrifice, and pain.......those are worth singing.....because that is the sad legacy.

Right now, other words escape me. Yours is the best song I have seen written here at Mudcat. Yeah, it scans and all of that, but I can think of none that come from so deep in the heart and have the honesty and truth shining through more than yours. Thank you Mary.......thank you.

Spaw

Subject: Lyr Add: NEVER ENOUGH^^
From: mg
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 02:42 AM

here's one that came to me today..

Never Enough

Never enough. never enough.
The times I would fake it! the times I would bluff!
I wasn't that skilled and I wasn't that tough.
Oh, God, it was never enough!

I went there to sing and I must have sung some,
But I drank to forget and I drank to stay numb.
A drunken old woman is what I've become,
Oh, God, it was never enough!

The radio sputtered by night and by day.
I couldn't make out all the words they did say.
So some men were captured and some got away.
Oh, God, it was never enough!

Some went to fight and some went to heal.
What was stolen from me was not theirs to steal.
Now sorrow and rage are all that I feel.
Oh, God, it was never enough!

Out of all that I sent, why can't I go instead?
With so many wounded and so many dead.
They'll come back to haunt me and that's what I dread.
Oh, God, it was never enough!

I worked on the airbase and met all the planes.
I'd stand and salute in the fog and the rains.
What used to be men were now called remains.
Oh, God, it was never enough!

mg

HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 27-Feb-01

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Fadac
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 03:26 PM

CamiSu, Well this is a song thread. One tune that brings tears to my eye, is "Flowers of the Forest" It's a bit older than the Viet Nam conflit, but the message is the same.

Just for fun, look up Naplam in the data base.

Not ALL of the songs protest the war.

-fadac

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: LR Mole
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 01:34 PM

Yeah: as mentioned, lots of Phil Ochs, including Cops of the World and White Boots Marchin' in a Yellow Land .

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,the resonator
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 02:43 AM

i'll go with marymac90 on this one. edwin starr's "war" is one of the angriest and most powerful protests songs of that era. also, marvin gaye's "what's going on" gives a good spin on a veteran coming home to a strange, and different land.

peace.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Oversoul
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 01:30 AM

"Maggot Brain" by Funkadelic. This said it all for me.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Marymac90
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 01:27 AM

WAR-What is it good for? Absolutely NOTHING!!!

Children of Darkness, by Richard Farina

Many by Phil Ochs, including Draft Dodger Rag and I Ain't Marchin Anymore.

I agree that Judy Small's Mothers, Daughters, Wives, although written in 84, is an important look at VietNam, comparing it to other wars, from the perspective of the women left at home.

No More Genocide in My Name, among others by Holly Near-I just posted the lyrics on another thread!

I agree that Buffy Sainte-Marie also made a number of imortant contributions, including Universal Soldier, later recorded by Donovan.

Pete Seeger's contributions include Turn, Turn, Turn, recorded by the Byrds, Waist Deep in the Big Muddy, and the ubiquitous Where Have All the Flowers Gone, among many others.

Tom Paxton's many offerings include The Willing Conscript.

Bob Dylan's contributions include With God on Our Side.

Mary McCaffrey

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: CamiSu
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:44 AM

Fadac,

the war ended when I was in college. More like 26 years ago... I got a draft notice and had to tell them they weren't drafting women.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:27 AM

Not mentioned on this thread, but mentioned on others is "Jimmy Clay" by Patrick Sky.

Also, the other night on the A&E Special by David Crosby, Pete Seeger commented that he thought the best song written about the war during that time was "Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag" by Joe MacDonald. Interesting choice from Pete and in a way it surprised me.

Spaw

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: mg
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 12:12 AM

by Phil Ochs I think...

if I were free to speak my mind I'd tell a tale to all mankind of how the flowers do bloom and fade of how we fought and how we paid..

mg

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 03:12 PM

If this is just a request for the best songs of the Vietnam era (assuming this means the era of significant US military involvement, mid-60's to mid-70's), we're talking about a lot of material. If we bring it down to songs about Vietnam, it's still a lot of material, but more manageable. In my view, some of the best were "Lyndon Johnson Told The Nation" by Tom Paxton, "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (John Fogerty), and "Born In The U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen.

I know, people will agree with the first two, and think the last one proves me an idiot. It was written and released about nine years after the last American troops came home, and a lot of people think it's a celebration of American jingoism (Chrysler even asked Springsteen if they could use it in their commercials; he said no, even though I'm sure he could have charged them a bundle for the rights). My advice is to give it another listen, with an open mind and the words in front of you; I think it captures something pretty powerful if you can put your preconceptions aside.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Fadac
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 08:32 PM

Hmm, I remember something called "Indian Lake" was playing a lot while I was in boot camp. We would all sing along Wooo Wooo as we mopped the floor, shined boots etc. During both tours the 1,2,3 were all going to die song was popular. Then so was "Puff the magic dragon" Which reminds me, we got way into the doo doo one night and Puff came along and saved our butts.

Myself, I don't even listen to the folks crying about the "poor vets" anymore. I have seen many folks carring signs, "Unemployed VietNam Vet" etc. However that war was about 40 years ago. Most of the sign carriers I see here in Ca. would have been about 9 years old during the war. No matter what anybody tells ya, no nine year olds were drafted. At least by LBJ.

-fadac

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 07:20 PM

Thought this thread was for songs from the era. There's a thought-provoking thread already for songs about the war. All the same I'm going to chuck in a couple here that haven't got mentioned yet: Moratorium by Buffy Sainte-Marie (sorry if I've spelt her name wrong Little Hawk!) and The Veterans' Big Parade by Dory Previn. Powerful songs. Powerful messages.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,Hoot & Fidget
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 07:38 PM

Two things stand out when I remember the music that made the most impression on me; 1) trying to figure out how to leave my family and home and what to do when I got to Canada and 2) the look of anger, fear & sadness on my immigrant (Italy) father's face as he tried to understand where the country he'd fought for in Europe & the Pacific had gone to in 20 years (Tail gunner in a B-17; 150 missions. To this day I'm astounded he came home at all, let alone sane & sober.)

The music was "War" by Eric Burton (I think) and the entire album of named "War, War, War" by Country Joe McDonald.

I cannot BELIEVE the feelings this thread has raised.

Ciao

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: KT
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 05:45 PM

Shanti, I think that's "For What It's Worth."

Love this thread...makes me want to go and buy a needle for the old turntable......

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Jim Krause
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 05:16 PM

Speaking of John Prine, how about "Your Flag Decal"? Boy, I sang that one a whole bunch, along with "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag." By the way, has anyone else noticed the very close resemblance between "Fixin' To Die Rag" and "Muskrat Ramble?" Every time I hear some New Orleans revival jazz combo launch into that one I can't help singing to myself "An' its one, two, three what're we fightin' for...."

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: mg
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 09:15 PM

I think Ruby is about the Korean War and perhaps Big Muddy too...mg

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Shanti
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 08:55 PM

Universal Soldier by Buffy Ste. Marie and (okay, memory glitch from old age no doubt)...the song by Buffalo Springfield..."stop, children, what's that sound, everybody look what's goin' down." What's the title?

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: MarkS
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 07:38 PM

Does anybody remember "The War Drags On" by Donovan? I am pretty sure it never got recorded on any of his albums. MarkS

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 07:23 PM

P P Arnold touring the UK, backing band the Nice, no less.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 03:09 PM

Masters of War

"And I'll stand over your grave 'til I'm sure that you're dead."
But they don't die. Do they?

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Alice
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 10:30 AM

Leavin' On A Jet Plane

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 10:26 AM

Well, DWD, you get today's "Big Mick Coffee in the Sinuses" award. I just laughed so hard I almost choked at the mental imagery this one stirred up. What is worse.........I could relate to this crazy fucker..........hahahahahahaha. Remind me to tell you about a stopover in Yokosuka and the binjo ditch.....you will love it.......But it is a PM type story.........I am still laughing at the thought of "The God of Hellfire".............

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: dwditty
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 10:14 AM

The song that comes back to me is Arthur Brown's "Hell Fire." Of course the image is of this one guy who did not do any Obesitol (don't even ask) or pot, but rather drank a case of beer every night ($2.00 a case, but always warm). After he was good and drunk, he would pour deisel fuel around someone's cot, light it on fire, and start singing, "I am the God of Hell Fire." Nothing quite like waking up and seeing flames all around viewed through a mosquito net. This was never seen as cool or funny, nor did we think it was any crazier than other stuff the went on. In fact, it was better than some of the alternatives we faced.

dw

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 09:29 AM

I have been lurking on this one while I tried to sift through the memories of that time. Odd, but it all seems like a scene out of a B movie when I try to remember the music. There was so much of it, and it was central to the culture of those of us that were there. There you were in the middle of this strange place, so unlike home, a war all around you...............and the music was like you were still at home with WGRD on the radio trying to get Carol to go to the beach at Holland or Grand Haven. There was so much good music.........and a ton of bad music.........the two that keep jumping out at me though......and they are by no means the best or my fav's.....but they related to specific moments. One was "Spirit In The Sky" by ??Norman Greenbaum?? The reason it stands out is because I remember walking into the gedunk shack for the first time. I had been "in country" for less than an hour. It had one of those great old jukeboxes with the huge bass speakers. As I walked through the door, that great opening fuzz bass piece just smacked me in the face. The moment was so full of feelings.....I remember thinking..."OK, but not to soon......OK?" The other song that seems to rise out of the goulash of song memories is "Father & Son" by Cat Stevens. It was like Stevens had been hiding in my house with my Da and me. I can remember listening to that song and wondering if I would ever get the chance to make peace with him, or if I would die in this fucking place and he would never know how very much I loved him and wanted to be like him........Thanks for asking this one. It is good to resurrect these feelings once in a while. When you have kids, you need to remember when you were young........

Mick

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 03:26 AM

Sorry, I just noticed that the thread dates back to before the flood - I thought it was current! I must take more notice of the dates on these messages. Anyhow, those are the words for the 'The Veteran' if anyone wants them.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: The Veteran^^
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 03:20 AM

BlueJay, Kate Wolf did not write 'Agent Orange'. It was written by Muriel Hogan.

Another moving song of the Vietnam War was Allan Taylor's 'The Veteran', but I am not sure when he wrote it:

THE VETERAN
(Allan Taylor)

I saw the echo of a thousand wars in the face of the man
As looked out over the watching crowd, searching for a friend
Sometimes he would see a face, but then each face looks the same
Like looking into a mirror, and reading a different name

He learned his lesson early, a confirmation under fire
Now his eyes stare into the distance like a prisoner behind the wire
We are lucky in our fortune, we can turn the other way
But the veteran fights again at night and struggles through the day

He came back an addict, he came back a drunk
He came back a cripple, or pieces in a trunk
He came back a hero, to a waving flag parade
And he was left with nothing when the glory began to fade

So what do say to the veteran who can't take it anymore
You guard your words and hold it back and talk of anything but the war
Just reach out over the distance and let him know you're there
And hope he hasn't gone too far, or forgotten how to care

Chorus [after each verse]:
When you sing do you sing for the man who is broken
Do you sing for the man who stands alone
Do you sing for the endless list of names
Etched on marble stone

Source: Allan Taylor 'Lines' T Records T002

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,PopaSmurf
Date: 19 Aug 00 - 12:54 AM

Procol had the greatest song of all time if you could help a fellow music lover out , i need lyrics to that song despretly , i really want them so what ever you could do would be a help thanks alot , email me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: harpgirl
Date: 12 Feb 00 - 11:53 PM

...did anyone mention John Prine's "Take The Star Out of The Window?"

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,LEJ
Date: 12 Feb 00 - 07:54 PM

MAG.. you yippie, you. Then there was "1..2..3..4..WE DON'T WANT YOUR F*@KING WAR!" Crisp fall afternoons with reefer smoke and revolution wafting through the Social Sciences Building...

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 12 Feb 00 - 04:11 PM

Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh

NLF is gonna win ...

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: emily rain
Date: 11 Feb 00 - 10:04 PM

and it's one two three what are we fightin' for?

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: bbelle
Date: 11 Feb 00 - 07:24 PM

"Ruby" and "Saigon Bride" ... moonchild

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 11 Feb 00 - 07:03 AM

Fields of Vietnam by Ewan MacColl.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Banjer
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 06:43 PM

While we're on the subject, does anyone recall the pro-Nam song that had as part of one of its verses, "I'm glad they weren't around to say 'get out of Valley Forge'". Probably not enough to start a new thread for but right in line with this one. Thanks

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,Unicorn
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 03:46 PM

Tom Paxton wrote several including "The Willing Conscript","Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation", "My Son John", "Buy a Gun for Your Son", "When Morning Breaks", "Jimmy Newman" and "Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues". A later song of Tom's is "The Unknown" (could refer to any unknown soldier of any war).

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: wildlone
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 02:37 PM

Everything from "Hair" but there again that's because my long flowing locks from yesteryear are long gone {short gone?}
Dorset pioneer

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: freight train
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 12:42 PM

Hey Brian, Just got a couple for you; Bridge Over Trouble Water-Simon and Garfunkle And probably my all time favorite, For What Its Worth-Bufallo Springfield

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 04 Feb 00 - 10:37 PM

Wasn't Galveston also one of them? I can remember listening to it late at night in the late seventies, and really listening to the words and being quite surprised.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 04 Feb 00 - 06:36 PM

'Penny Evans' and 'Big Muddy', definitely, also Tom Paxton's 'Jimmy Newman' and one written later by Allan Taylor, 'The Veteran', about the Memorial Wall. - Susanne

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Mbo
Date: 03 Feb 00 - 08:31 AM

I love Catch the Wind...

--Mbo

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,Neil Lowe
Date: 03 Feb 00 - 08:21 AM

As happens often, someone mentions something that triggers memories of how much I too was moved by the thing mentioned. Michael K. has just done that. I'll have to dig out my Doors albums and crank them up. And rent the movie again while I'm at it.

Virtually all music of that era seems shot through with images of war, regardless of the content of the song. Probably why Stanley Kubrick, in his Vietnam movie Full Metal Jacket, chose "Goin' To The Chapel" and quirky tunes like "The Bird Is The Word" for the soundtrack. That or cinematic irony.

My first introduction to the Mudcat was a request for information on Tom Paxton's "Talkin' Vietnam Potluck Blues."

Donovan's "Catch The Wind" stands out.

Psychedelic-ally speaking, "Somebody To Love" by Jefferson Airplane; Frank Zappa's Lumpy Gravy and Pink Floyd's Ummagumma.

All this is making me want to put on my tie-dye tee and American flag bells, turn on the lava lamps and blacklight posters, brew some tea, burn some incense, and sit crosslegged in the middle of the floor with my guitar and contemplate my belly button.

Regards, Neil

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 03 Feb 00 - 04:12 AM

'The fields of Vietnam' by ? (found on a Mick Moloney record called 'We have met together'):
'... and contempt's their only harvest in the fields of Vietnam".

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: MK
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 06:05 PM

Everything from the ''Apocalypse Now'' sound track.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: JVZ
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 05:39 PM

Bad Moon Risen'

John

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,BlueJay
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 04:56 PM

I'm so glad Susan A-R brought up the THE MOST MOVING song of the Vietnam era, Steve Goodman's The Ballad of Penney Evans. I've had a few folks in tears at their first hearing of that great song. Please find it if you haven't heard it, keeping in mind that I am an ardent Goodman fan, who intends to write the State of Illinois to change their State Motto to the "Land of Goodman". Kate Wolf also wrote a song about agent orange, (I don't have it, and don't recall the title), in much the same style as "Penney Evans". I always thought it was an answer to the Goodman song.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 01:15 PM

Run Through The Jungle CCR Alices Restaurant Guthrie

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Lucius
Date: 01 Feb 00 - 11:09 PM

I'm glad that someone mentioned The Ballad of Penny Evans. Either that or Feel like I'm fixin' to Die Rag would be my choice. There were a lot of great anti-war songs from that era, but these two specificallly mention Vietnam.

For psychedelic tunes, I'm thinking of pieces that "Pushed the Bubble". Jimi Hendrix's Third Stone from the Sun from his first ablum comes to mind. So does Streetmasse, the much more obscure contribution of Spencer Dryden to Jefferson Airplane's After Bathing at Baxters.

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 01 Feb 00 - 10:03 PM

The Ballad of Penny Evans Children of Darkness Draft Dodger Rag Waist Deep in the Big Muddy Times They are a Changin' Goodnight Saigon

Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Troll
Date: 01 Feb 00 - 08:03 AM

"White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane

troll