Subject: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: GUEST,brian Date: 01 Feb 00 - 12:29 AM I was just wondering what everyones favorite songs were from around the time of Vietnam. Both anti-war protest and psychadelic. |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: Mbo Date: 01 Feb 00 - 12:39 AM Oh, Brian--you've created a monster with this one! Here's mine: Fortunate Son--Creedence Clearwater Revival We Gotta Get Out Of This Place--The Animals A Whiter Shade of Pale--Procol Harum Paint It Black--The Rolling Stones Whole Lotta Love--Led Zeppelin Kuiama--The Electric Light Orchestra Ooof--it's too late! I can't think of any more when I KNOW there are more! --Mbo |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: katlaughing Date: 01 Feb 00 - 12:41 AM Hi, Brian. For starters, reading this thread will get you going and give you a good idea of what songs were important to a lot of Mudcatters. In my opinion, it is one of the best threads the Mudcat has ever seen, especially the posting by Big Mick. Besides that, I am sure you will get plenty of ideas in this thread, too. All the best, katlaughing |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: Mary G Date: 01 Feb 00 - 01:21 AM please keep in mind that this is the anniversery of the tet offensive in 68 and of great significance to many veterans....a difficult time... mg |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: Brendy Date: 01 Feb 00 - 01:35 AM I'm sure it was a difficult time for the Vietnamese also. B. |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: GUEST Date: 01 Feb 00 - 01:42 AM I am well aware that this is the anniversay, and i mean no harm or ill feelings through this thread. It is in my opinion though that this era was one of the best for music. I suppose that this is a form of tribute by remembering the music that also made that decade. That is why I am interested in others feelings on this topic. |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: Mary G Date: 01 Feb 00 - 03:06 AM there aren't enough electrons in all of cyberspace to give everyone my views on this topic. mg |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: GUEST,canoer Date: 01 Feb 00 - 03:33 AM What about we stick to giving our guest the song titles he asked for, and only that? Otherwise this is going to be one messy messy thread. Brian, will get back to you with my short list, OK? But most definitely, definitely check the thread Katlaughing highlighted. |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: GUEST,canoer Date: 01 Feb 00 - 04:41 AM Dear Brian, Trying to heed my own counsel: Pete Seeger, "The Big Muddy," written I believe when news broke of a drill sergeant at a southern base, who drowned part of a squad on maneuvers by ordering them deeper and deeper into treacherous waters. The big event in the small. Phil Ochs, "Draft Dodger Rag." Country Joe McDonald, "Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag." Bob Dylan, "The Times They Are A-Changin'." "When the Ship Comes In." Also, not a Nam-era song as it was written in 1984, but a favorite about the era: Judy Small, "Mothers Daughters Wives." I'd be interested to know your age, and what pulls you back to that era's music. Good hunting -- Canoer |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: InOBU Date: 01 Feb 00 - 07:46 AM I aint marchin anymore - Phil Oachs. As to tet... I was standing on a street corner with an old friend, a jazz musician, who was remembering with me the lies that were told during that time. He said the following President thought he could win the war! They kept telling him about the light at the end of the tunnel, the light at the end of the tunnel. Well, Larry, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. It was a frieght train and its name was Tet! I hope we are learning, but when I see a nation covered with black POW/MIA flags, celibrating the myth that American life is so valuble that Vietnamese keep prisoners to this day, while the reality is that the same ones who have that symbol as a bumper sticker on their car, who on their way to work, step over the real MIAs, the masses of veterins who live on the streets of American towns and cities, I wonder when we will learn it was not the anti war crowd who are responcible for what happened to the returning vets, it was the sons of bitches who then sent their sons into Grenada, Panama, The middle east, call it love or call it treason call it pease or call it reason but I aint marchin anymore. Larry |
Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? From: Troll Date: 01 Feb 00 - 08:03 AM "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane troll |
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: 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.
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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: 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: JVZ Date: 02 Feb 00 - 05:39 PM Bad Moon Risen' John |
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: 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: 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: Mbo Date: 03 Feb 00 - 08:31 AM I love Catch the Wind... --Mbo |
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: bbelle Date: 11 Feb 00 - 07:24 PM "Ruby" and "Saigon Bride" ... moonchild |
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: 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: 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: 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,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 PopaSmrf13@AOL.com |
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 --Stewie.
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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: 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: 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 - 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: Alice Date: 19 Aug 00 - 10:30 AM Leavin' On A Jet Plane |
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: 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: 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: 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?
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
-fadac |
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. |
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