By Loud Atlas
This week we've reflected on the Vietnam War ending half a century ago. It's the ultimate truism: war is hell, as you shall hear. For further detail on the conflict, see last week's blog where an excellent summary of the complex war, alongside the community's meaningful nominations on the topic, can be found. The conflict inspired a wave of artists to voice their frustrations, fears and hopes for a generation caught up in the war.
The draft, the lottery system used to conscript US soldiers into the war, is the subject of Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam). The Monitors experience the emotional toll of leaving behind loved ones and stepping into an unknown future. For all its trademarks of that soulful R&B sound, the drill sergeant section is startling.
In popular culture, the war is shown to be mainly an American experience. Australian servicemen were also involved as told in I Was Only 19. A haunting folk tale by Redgum, it follows a young Aussie from training to combat, then to life as a veteran - physical and psychological scars still evident.
One of the most poetic offerings this week, Country Joe and The Fish have An Untitled Protest to intone. A grim (as if there could be any other) picture of war's brutality is painted accompanied by a dirge-like organ, lending it an almost surreal edge.
No other modern war has sparked the imagination of film makers quite like the Vietnam War. Apocalypse Now (1979) has inspired a couple of tracks within this playlist. First, 23 Skidoo's repetitive and sweary sample-infused F.U.G.I.. Second, The Clash's Charlie Don't Surf. 'Charlie’ was a nickname given to the Viet Cong by American troops, derived from the NATO alphabet for ‘VC’ (‘Victor Charlie').
"I just could not win against Ho Chi Minh" is a repeated refrain in The Last Poets' politically-charged story - ultimately representative of the US failure to defeat the Vietnamese resistance. Uncle Sam underestimates the determination of the Vietnamese people.
The human cost and the emotional weight carried by those involved in the war is explored in Vietnamese Baby. The protagonist of New York Dolls' song struggles with a world that has lost its purpose through the band's signature sound.
A song reportedly banned at the time as it may "give aid and comfort to the enemy", Bring The Boys Home highlights the plight of the young men and the emotional turmoil experienced by their families waiting at home. Freda Payne brings her voice of reason.
The Fiddle and the Drum represents the shift in America's values from harmony to war and conflict. Joni Mitchell addresses the US as if it were a friend who has lost their way. Originally recorded in 1969, the song, and cover version by The Perfect Circle, found a resurgence in 2004 in opposition to the Iraq War.
It wasn't just western music that responded to the conflict, Vietnamese musicians also had a voice too. Phạm Duy was one of the country's most influential composers. His song Người lính bị thương (The Wounded Soldier) reflects on a soldier returning from war with a longing for peace. In a loosely translated section: the battlefield forgets, but the soldier does not.
That longing for peace and unity (in a divided country) is the subject of Trịnh Công Sơn and Vân Quỳnh's song Ta đã thấy gì trong đêm nay (What Did We See Tonight?). The night is filled with flags waving, and a yearnful optimism that the violence will end.
"Hell no, we won't go" was a chant oft-used by youthful anti-war demonstrators. It also forms an integral part of Stop The War. Written by Curtis Mayfield (more on him later), and released towards the end of the war, The Impressions' soulful plea for peace focuses on the futility of war.
The song Vietnam uses the juxtaposition of Jimmy Cliff's bright reggae-fused sound with the horror of a soldier's story. He writes home from Vietnam with the hope that he returns soon. His mother then receives a telegram that confirms her worst nightmares. Legend has it that this is Bob Dylan's favourite protest song.
Alice in Chains' singer Jerry Cantrell used his own personal experiences to influence the song Rooster. Cantrell Snr. was a Vietnam veteran who came home a changed man. Hauntingly powerful, this song later served as an aid to help Jr. and Snr. repair their relationship.
Getting Back To The World clearly wasn't an easy thing to do for a veteran. Curtis Mayfield uses his music to tell the bleak story of the difficulties faced by veterans on a societal level, with racial injustice for many.
Coming home should feel like a gift, but that's not the case in Xmas in February. Lou Reed tells the story of veteran Sam, unemployed, neglected and abandoned. His freedom from the shackles of war should be a cause for celebration, but there is no joy to be had. He stares at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and reflects on the war that wasn't won.
One last film-inspired piece. The use of classical music can heighten the emotional impact of war films - think Samuel Barber in Platoon (1986) or Richard Wagner in Apocalypse Now (1979). Stanley Myers originally composed Cavatina for the piano. Performed by guitarist John Williams, it was used as the theme for The Deer Hunter (1978), which follows three steelworker friends whose lives are transformed forever by their war experiences.
ARVN to VC A-List Playlist:
The Monitors - Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam) (AltraEgo)
Redgum - I Was Only 19 (ajostu)
Country Joe and The Fish - An Untitled Protest (TarquinSpodd)
23 Skidoo - F.U.G.I. (pejepeine)
The Clash - Charlie Don't Surf (Carpgate)
The Last Poets - Ho Chi Minh (MussoliniHeadkick)
New York Dolls - Vietnamese Baby (TarquinSpodd)
Freda Payne - Bring The Boys Home (ShivSidecar)
Joni Mitchell - The Fiddle and the Drum (severin)
Phạm Duy - Người lính bị thương (The Wounded Soldier) (magicman)
Trịnh Công Sơn and Vân Quỳnh - Ta đã thấy gì trong đêm nay (What Did We See Tonight?) (Nicko)
The Impressions - Stop The War (AltraEgo)
Jimmy Cliff - Vietnam (ShivSidecar)
Alice In Chains - Rooster (SweetHomeAlabama)
Curtis Mayfield - Back To The World (pejepeine)
Lou Reed - Xmas In February (barbryn)
Stanley Myers (performed by John Williams) - Cavatina (Fred Erickson)
Body Count B-List Playlist:
Edwin Starr - War (magicman)
Moddi - Where Is My Vietnam? (severin)
Kenny Rogers - Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town (SweetHomeAlabama)
Glen Campbell - Galveston (TarquinSpodd)
Paul Hardcastle - 19 (BanazirGalbasi)
New Order - Love Vigilantes (happyclapper)
Country Joe McDonald - I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag (Chris7572)
Merry Clayton - Gimme Shelter (ShivSidecar)
Iain Matthews - Darkness, Darkness (AltraEgo)
The Beach Boys - Student Demonstration Time (TarquinSpodd)
Television Personalities - Back To Vietnam (Vikingchild)
The Isley Brothers - Ohio / Machine Gun (ShivSidecar)
Bill Withers - I Can't Write Left-Handed (ShivSidecar)
John Lennon and Yoko Ono - Give Peace A Chance (SweetHomeAlabama)
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Find The Cost Of Freedom (AltraEgo)
The Doors - The End (BanazirGalbasi)
Guru's Wildcard Picks:
Jedi Mind Tricks and R.A. The Rugged Man - Uncommon Valor
A hip-hop track from 2006. R.A.'s verse is about his father's experiences. Terrific flow.
Bruce Springsteen - Lost In The Flood
Quite a few Brucie songs were nominated this week, but not this one from his debut album.
The Dead Milkmen - Beach Party Vietnam
A short sharp satirical piece of punk. A commentary on how media sanitises war.
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: ‘Kill for Peace!’ to ‘Hell no, we won't go!’: songs about the Vietnam War. The next topic will launch on Thursday after 1pm UK time.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Fancy a turn behind the pumps at The Song Bar? Care to choose a playlist from songs nominated and write something about it? Then feel free to contact The Song Bar here, or try the usual email address. Also please follow us social media: Song Bar X, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.