Vietnam
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Vietnam
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During the early years of this conflict 23% of all American fatalities were Black, this was despite the fact they formed only 12% of the military force. 30.2% of qualified Black people were drafted to fight in the war against a figure of only 18.8% for whites. Given these disproportionate statistics is it any wonder that Black People thought they were getting a raw deal in this capitalist war. Once again soul music was used as a propaganda weapon to influence opinion about the conflict. These are just some of the soul songs which were influenced by the Vietnam War. 1. Marching off to War - William Bell Opens with a guitar strumming to a Marching beat which is maintained throughout the song. Instruments are minimal with evidence only of drums, guitar and trumpet. William Bell is about to go to war for the first time so we get none of the horrors of the frontline or the despair of a grieving family. Instead we are given an insight into the psyche of a raw recruit. He's marching off to a bloody war but at no time does the idea he may die enter his head as he assures his girl that he will be coming back. As they bid their farewell's she promises to be faithful, but the fact they are surrounded by many other girls saying similar things and waving their men goodbye is not lost on the composer. One thing is for sure, they won't all be returning. Musically very simple, this is a portrait of naivety. 2. Open Letter to the President - Roy C I love the concept of this song with Roy C's powerful voice singing his advice to the president. He hankers for the time when there will be no more fighting in Vietnam. When this happens he promises that everybody will be free. The reason why the end to hostilities in Vietnam will result in greater freedom for African American's is because resources wasted in war will be spent in improving education, health and housing. Personally I think the link is tentative because there is little evidence that the released funds will be used for such purposes anyway. For some reason South Africa also gets a mention. Nice song, nice sentiments but logically rather flawed. 3. Hymn #5 -The Mighty Hannibal Hannibal is dictating his message from the frontline to his girlfriend and family. He tells them that they give him comfort when appear to him in dreams. Like many other soldiers he asks what he has done to deserve being there. On the whole it is well sung and clearly enunciated, though there were a couple of phrases where I couldn't work out what he was singing. No big message, but it captures the mood admirably. 4. I Believe I'm Gonna Make It - Joe Tex Joe has just received a letter from his girl which he claims inspired him to kill two more Vietcong. Not only is this highly unlikely but its hammy as well. This line rather spoils what is otherwise a very good song which focuses on the effect that war has on relationships. Much more believable is his sentiment that they never got married because he doesn't want to leave her a widow. On the whole quite an optimistic song because he is genuinely convinced that he will make it home. 5. Christmas In Vietnam - Johnny & Jon Christmas is a particularly poignant time for the troops away at war as these two reminisce over the joys of past Christmases and compare them to the horror of the one they are currently experiencing. Surrounded by Vietcong they watch close friends die all around them whilst a good proportion of their time is spent on their knees in prayer. Not the best soul voices in the world, but they certainly come to grips with some terrifying material. 6. There Is Someone Waiting Back Home - The O'Jays A gentle Philly ballad with two soldiers talking. Beautifully illustrates how having loved ones back home can give comfort in time of war. We never know the outcome but you just hope things work out alright for them. 7. When Johnny Comes Marching Home - Joe Tex Another southern soul cut which looks at the social effects of war from an unusual angle. Joe Tex is a cuckold who is seeing a soldier's wife whilst he is away fighting in Vietnam. He feels hurt and betrayed as she cynically tells him she will have to stop seeing him when her husband gets back. A reminder that the casualties of Vietnam were not just on the front line. Given the circumstances however its difficult to sympathise with either Joe Tex or his mistress on this occasion. 8. Sam Stone - Swamp Dogg Nice opening guitar riffs! This is the story of Sam's return to his family after war. Happy ending you might think, but sadly not! His nerves are shattered and the shrapnel in his knee probably makes him ineligible for work. To make matters worse he is a junkie. His medals fail to feed his family as he shoots Morphine to ease both physical and mental pain. The very moving line ,'There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes' just about sums the situation up. His kids wear other people's cast of clothes as he struggles to cope with his return to civilian life. Inevitably he ends up stealing to feed his habit before dying from an overdose. This really is a deeply moving song. The curse of Vietnam hung over America long after the fighting had finished. 9. Can't You See What You Done, Done (Hymn #9)- Delia Gartrell Atmospheric dirge as a mother laments the effect Vietnam had on her son. The message is identical to 'Sam Stone' as the boy returns as a Junkie who has sunk so low as to steal from her to feed his habit. She repeatedly asks the question, 'Can't you see what you have done to my only son, while he was fighting in your war'. Sadly nobody is likely to reply. Once again medals are seen as pointless tokens which do nothing to give him any kind of living. Quite rightly she asks why the 'real enemy' the drug pusher is allowed to get away. Moody and depressing, another deeply moving song. 10. I Should Be Proud - Martha And The Vandellas A rare excursion for Motown to get involved in political comment, but in this case they should be commended for doing so. Martha sings the part of a mother who has just lost her son in Vietnam. Everyone tells her he was brave and that she should feel proud, but she doesn't see it that way, all she feels is the gaping hole which is left in her life. She is astute enough not to believe the line that he was fighting 'for her' or freedom but is of the opinion he was fighting to preserve 'the evils of society'. Once again testimonies in the newspaper and meaningless medals fail to ease the pain. 11. Soldiers Goodbye - William Bell His baggage is ready and the train is set to leave as Bell assures his girl he will be coming back. We're not sure if he really believes it or is just trying to comfort her. Very similar to 'Marching off to War' but without quite as much naivety. 12. Bring the Boys Home - Freda Payne Slightly funky sound from Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invinctus label. Freda is not involved as an individual but just calls for an end to a senseless war. She wants boats to turn around, planes to fly back and soldiers to lay down their arms. The chorus repeatedly chants 'bring them back alive' as the song moves into an eerie feeling with the spirits of dead troops trying to make their way back home. Despite almost hitting disco tempo this is a song with a lot of soul. 13. Fellows in Vietnam - Inez & Charlie Foxx Slow, almost Doo-Wop beginning to a song which laments for the dead soldiers of Vietnam. They point out how young most of them were, trained to kill whilst being little better than children themselves. Unlike most of the other Vietnam songs Inez and Charlie see it as a just war where the troops are fighting to keep America free. 14. Cousin Henry - Bobby Womack Begins with a rap in which Womack acknowledges that Vietnam Veterans are overlooked and forgotten by the country they gave so much for. He dedicates the song to them. It is the tragic tale of an innocent boy going to war and being taught to kill. The result is that Henry returns 'with a bottle in his hand'. Wonderful mouthorgan riff and another very moving song.
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