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What are the best Vietnam era songs?

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Mr Happy 05 Jan 11 - 08:53 AM
Richie Black (misused acct, bad email) 05 Jan 11 - 08:47 AM
Thomas Stern 05 Jan 11 - 08:27 AM
eddie1 05 Jan 11 - 03:11 AM
GUEST,tyler 04 Jan 11 - 10:12 PM
GUEST,guest 04 Jan 11 - 10:10 PM
GUEST,D. Bechdel 16 Dec 10 - 04:27 AM
copperhead 13 Dec 06 - 11:18 PM
GUEST,Owlkat 13 Dec 06 - 10:56 PM
oldhippie 13 Dec 06 - 08:17 PM
canoer 03 Sep 00 - 10:47 AM
BlueJay 02 Sep 00 - 02:48 AM
WyoWoman 02 Sep 00 - 12:29 AM
Little Hawk 01 Sep 00 - 11:14 PM
GUEST,wdjacklord@aol.com 01 Sep 00 - 11:11 PM
Little Hawk 31 Aug 00 - 11:31 PM
HARD LUCK SKONK 31 Aug 00 - 09:38 PM
mg 31 Aug 00 - 11:04 AM
Raptor 31 Aug 00 - 09:28 AM
Groucho Marxist (inactive) 30 Aug 00 - 09:43 AM
catspaw49 30 Aug 00 - 09:35 AM
mg 30 Aug 00 - 02:42 AM
Fadac 29 Aug 00 - 03:26 PM
LR Mole 29 Aug 00 - 01:34 PM
GUEST,the resonator 25 Aug 00 - 02:43 AM
Oversoul 25 Aug 00 - 01:30 AM
Marymac90 25 Aug 00 - 01:27 AM
CamiSu 25 Aug 00 - 12:44 AM
catspaw49 25 Aug 00 - 12:27 AM
mg 25 Aug 00 - 12:12 AM
Whistle Stop 24 Aug 00 - 03:12 PM
Fadac 23 Aug 00 - 08:32 PM
Peter K (Fionn) 23 Aug 00 - 07:20 PM
GUEST,Hoot & Fidget 22 Aug 00 - 07:38 PM
KT 22 Aug 00 - 05:45 PM
Jim Krause 22 Aug 00 - 05:16 PM
mg 19 Aug 00 - 09:15 PM
Shanti 19 Aug 00 - 08:55 PM
MarkS 19 Aug 00 - 07:38 PM
Peter K (Fionn) 19 Aug 00 - 07:23 PM
SINSULL 19 Aug 00 - 03:09 PM
Alice 19 Aug 00 - 10:30 AM
Big Mick 19 Aug 00 - 10:26 AM
dwditty 19 Aug 00 - 10:14 AM
Big Mick 19 Aug 00 - 09:29 AM
Stewie 19 Aug 00 - 03:26 AM
Stewie 19 Aug 00 - 03:20 AM
GUEST,PopaSmurf 19 Aug 00 - 12:54 AM
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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 08:53 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelin%27_Soldier


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 08:47 AM

Joe McDonald and the Fish.


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 08:27 AM

Bear-Family has issued a 13CD set of Viet Nam related material:
Next Stop Viet Nam - Bear Family

and there are other smaller collections:
http://www.bear-family.de/index.php?sid=08bd4a868effc4774b173348d6a9b4ca&cl=tcnewextsearch&tcexact=0&tcinterpret=&tcalbumtitel=viet+nam&tcsong=&tcartnum=

Best wishes, Thomas.


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: eddie1
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 03:11 AM

Grey October - Peggy Seeger & Jack Warshaw.

Bring Em Home - Pete Seeger. Written way back then and still just as relevant today!
Eddie


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,tyler
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 10:12 PM

mechanical man by Charles Manson. it really depicts how he sees the people who were soldiers by decision


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 04 Jan 11 - 10:10 PM

satisfaction or sympathy for the devil by the rolling stones, all along the watch tower by jimi hendrix, really anything from apocolypse now, the vietnam part of forrest gump, or even full metal jacket (despite kubricks attempt at irony and sarcasm when making the soundtrack)


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,D. Bechdel
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 04:27 AM

Go to Vietnam era music 60's, 70's site by Chu65nang67 -- he has a lot of playlists with like 16 pages of songs. One of my favorites is the 50,000 Names on the Wall.

The website is made up to honor the Viet Nam veterans ---- enjoy !!!


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: copperhead
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 11:18 PM

Hmmmmmmmmmmm....
I was in IVX Corps in the WAC ... got out in 1966...

It is NOT a folksong, but I remember when "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" could bring a bar full of otherwise gruff and tough airborne troops to silence and sometimes tears...

Also "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay ... watchin tha tiiiide ro-holll awaaaay"... '

Loved Joe Mcdonald as well ... "Come on ALLLL'a you BIG STRONG MEN.."

And Leonard Cohen's "Stranger Song" and "Story of Isaac" and Suzanne :

"It's true that all the men you knew were dealers who said
they were through with dealing every time you gave them shelter.
I know that kind of man, it's hard to hold the hand of anyone
Who's reaching for the sky just to surrender,
who is reaching for the sky just to surrender."

"You know I'm strong and holy,
...I will do what I've been told...."

"and you know that she's half crazy,
...but that's why you want to be there...

And of course the chorus of the Corps Anthem:

"Pallas Athena, Goddess of Vic-to-ry.
History tells your sto-ry brave...
And our own Statue of Liberty,
Shows what we've sworn to save..."

And the wonderfully acid and obcene marching cadences...

And the Unofficial anthem of the Airborne:

"Around her leg, she wore a yellow garter,
she wore it in the Spring time, in th early Month of May...
and When We asked her why in hell she wore it...
"I wear it for my trooper who is far, far awayaaaayyyy!"

Which actually
is music hall song that dates from at least just after the Civil War because it was also a Cavalry song from the horse soldier era...

And the adaptation of the old cowboy song that was another Animal Farm (The Big Red One) favorite:
"There was blood on the risers, and blood on the ground,
and great big puddles of blood, all around. That poor boy lay in it
all covered with gore, a trooper who'll never go jumpin no more."

And as I think of it, an authentic folk song,
"There is one kind favor I'll ask of you...
There is one kind favor I'll ask of you...
There is one kind favor, an I ask it now of yo-ou...
Won't you see that my grave is kept clean?


   My goodness. I've been thinking about people I haven't seen in 40 years ... I AM older than dirt! LOL
    copperhead


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs? ***PG 13
From: GUEST,Owlkat
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 10:56 PM

Cher y'all,
One song that has always stuck in my head is sung by Ed Van Ronk and was recorded in the 60's on Folkways (I think, don't quote me on that) It sounds like something Patrick Sky might have written, but again, I have no documentation.

I listened to it on a borrowed record about 35 years ago, and it has been with me ever since, but please forgive me if the words have gotten a little gibbled over the years. So have I, for that matter.
PG 13 warning!! Warning !! Warning !! Warning!! Danger Will Robinson!!

The language is kind of rough, but then again, so was Dave. The times were angry and confused, and not everyone used the poetry of Buffy Ste. Marie, Phil Ochs, or Peter Paul and Mary to express their horror, outrage, and grief...

Luang Prabang
When I got back from Luang Prabang
I didn't have a thing where my balls used to hang
But I got a fancy medal and a long harangue
And now I'm a fuckin' hero

CH:
Mourn your dead, land of the free
If you want to be a hero follow me
Mourn your dead, land of the free
If you want to be a hero follow me

Amid the cannon's bloody thunder
Tearing the air and the ground asunder
For a patriotic ball-less wonder
Now I'm a fuckin' hero.

And now the boys all envy me
I fought for Christian Democracy
With nothing but air where my balls used to be
And now I'm a fuckin' hero

In Luang Prabang there is a spot
Where the corpses of your brothers rot
And everyone is a patriot
And everyone is a hero

Thank you,
Owlkat


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: oldhippie
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 08:17 PM

Oh, wow, I wish someone would record it, very powerful song, Mary.


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: canoer
Date: 03 Sep 00 - 10:47 AM

Mary Garvey! Just by luck I re-opened this thread. I feel that your song stands with the best. Many thanks! -- Riverman


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: BlueJay
Date: 02 Sep 00 - 02:48 AM

Stewie- Same thing happened to me: I thought this was a new thread, and was thinking about posting when I discovered I'd already posted in February. I didn't look at the dates. Thanks for letting me know the true songwriter of "Agent Orange", which I'd assumed was Kate Wolf's. Just goes to show you- you can still learn something new here, even seven months after you originally post to a thread! Thanks, BlueJay


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: WyoWoman
Date: 02 Sep 00 - 12:29 AM

Mary, that was terrific. I'd love to hear you sing it.

ww


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 11:14 PM

Johnny Cash is a great, great man.


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: GUEST,wdjacklord@aol.com
Date: 01 Sep 00 - 11:11 PM

John prine also write "The Great Compromise" and "Sam Stone", albeit both after the end of the war--and Johnny Cash's "Man in Black" most definitely refers to Viet Nam. Cash, right or wrong, was, to the best of my knowledge, the only country artist to openly state his opposition to our presence in Viet Nam.

Bill.


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:31 PM

Fionn - yes, you spelled it right. Thanks for the tribute.

Brendy - "I'm sure it was a difficult time for the Vietnamese also." Damn straight! Best comment I've seen yet. As a Canadian, living in New York State during that era, it never ceased to amaze me how little concern there was for the hundreds of thousands (or even millions) of Asians who suffered and died in that war, and saw their countries ravaged by high tech weaponry. I never heard one other person in Skaneateles, New York express concern over that, except for my mother.

I did know some boys who went to Vietnam. Two of them came back with an interesting story about the Tet offensive. They were both stationed in the huge airbase at Da Nang. They told me that every serviceman they knew had a Vietnamese servant (usually a young woman) to do his laundry, shine his shoes, and whatever...I leave it to your imagination. These were young people from the city of Da Nang, trying to eke out a living. On the morning of Tet, none of the servants showed up. Everybody was cursing, "Where the f*ck is that girl?", and then the rockets started coming in and blowing up helicopters on the airstrip, and the whole place went nuts. They said it was not long after that that they realized they had no business in that country. Some others didn't come back. Too bad. They were pawns in a game not of their own making...but if more of them had said "no" the dirty game could have been ended a whole lot sooner...which is the point of "Universal Soldier".

My favourite songs from that era...

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carol Visions of Johanna My Country 'Tis of Thy People You're Dying - Buffy S.M. It's All Right, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) Gates of Eden Mr. Tambourine Man It's My Way - Buffy Sainte-Marie It's All Over Now, Baby Blue It Ain't Me, Babe Love Minus Zero (No Limit) Just Like A Woman Boots Of Spanish Leather Catch The Wind If Today Was Not An Endless Highway Farewell Angelina It's A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall Season Of The Witch Like A Rolling Stone Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues The End - the Doors Get Offa My Cloud As Tears Go By I Pity The Poor Immigrant All Along The Watchtower St. Augustine Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again Pack Up Your Sorrows - Richard Farina Masters of War Blowin' In The Wind

and probably a hundred and fifty others...

I remember.


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: HARD LUCK SKONK
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:38 PM

I'VE HAD SOME GOOD RESPONCES FROM VETS AFTER SINGING 'EARLEY MORNING RAIN' AND 'LEAVING ON A JET PLANE.


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: mg
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 11:04 AM

thanks...also Cobra 7 by Toby Hughes and Pull Pitch by Cliff McKeithan..

mg


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Raptor
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 09:28 AM

Did anyone say EVE OF DESTRUTION ? I can't read.


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Subject: RE: What are the best Vietnam era songs?
From: Groucho Marxist (inactive)
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 09:43 AM

For Mary Garvey:

"If I Were Free" was written by Travis Edmonson, not Phil Ochs.

Groucho


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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


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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


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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


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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 .


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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.


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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.


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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


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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.


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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


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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


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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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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


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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.


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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


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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......


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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...."


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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


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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: 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


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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.


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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?


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

Leavin' On A Jet Plane


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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".............


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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


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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


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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.


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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.


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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


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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?"


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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...


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