Blues songs

To date, 80+ Vietnam War songs in the blues genre has been identified by the VWSP.

The songs in this collection most often deal with: Anti-War, Draft, Soldier's Perspective, Civil Rights.

The blues had fallen out of popularity in the 1950s, but found a new audience amongst the 60s generation, who shared its anti-war, Civil Rights, and messages of social change, which are found in its lyrics.

In the 1960s many blues singers turned their attention to the Vietnam conflict. Historically, blues musicians often sang about topical events, such as economic depression, war, and presidential politics. Many of the songs expressed a deep anxiety about their friends and family being drafted, as well as concern for domestic social issues, such as the connection between civil rights and the role played by African-Americans in the army.

For other songs by African-Americans see:
• Vietnam War: Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs

Coming soon:
• Vietnam War: Jody Songs
• Vietnam War: Civil Rights Songs

While many of these early songs may have been intending to refer to US troops in Germany, or Korea, or representing general Cold War fears, they were released in the run-up to the "Vietnam era" and the Gulf of Tonkin incident (1964), which led to a major escalation of US involvement in the conflict, and thus included in this list, as cultural perspectives. The criteria is the same as for the war years - the songs included mention Vietnam, or the lyrics deal with war-related themes, such as the draft, napalm, prisoners of war, demonstrations, references to soldiers and veterans, war & peace, and expressions of patriotism.

#1 Wilbert Harrison Drafted 1961 · Single · Drafted / My Heart Is Yours · Fury [New York] # 1055 · USA

Wilbert Harrison, blues and R&B artist, born on 5 January 1929 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, he died on 26 October 1994 in Spencer, North Carolina, USA. Released in 1961, the song "Drafted" (Fury Records # 1055) was just before the main period of the Vietnam War - no specific war is mentioned, however it is a good piece of contemporary blues representing the possibility of being drafted at the time. Reluctantly, the narrator informs his partner that "I got to meet that recruitin' sergeant" . He wonders whether it will be "the army or the marines...the navy or the air force" - either way, he request "dear, don't forget our lover's vow" .

Fury Records 1055, matrix F 2009, 45 R.P.M., "Preview Copy"; "Drafted" (W. Harrison), 2:25, Fast Music - Wilberton Music; "Sehorn & Robinson Production". [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (42 lines) ▾

Themes: Draft JFK Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs▤ US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]

#2 Lightnin' Hopkins War Is Starting Again 1961 · Single · Got Me a Louisiana Woman / War Is Starting Again · Ivory # 91272 · USA

Credited on the record as Lightning Hopkins and His Guitar.

Lightnin' Hopkins, born Sam Hopkins on 15 March 1912, in Centreville, Texas, recorded extensively from the 1940s-1970s, typically playing blues in the style that came out of his native Texas, like Blind Lemon Jefferson (acoustic / electric Texas blues). Often singing about topical events, such as the Korean War and Great Depression, in the mid-late 1960s he turned his attention to Vietnam. He died in Houston Texas on 30 January 1982.¹ He released several Vietnam War-related songs (see the info box below)

On this 1962 LP featured the song "War Is Starting Again" (Vee-Jay Records # LP-1044), also released on the 1961 single Got Me a Louisiana Woman / War Is Starting Again ({Label185167] # 91272), which may have been too early to specifically be in reference to the Vietnam conflict. The narrator expressed fear of war coming, "well, I got news this morning, right now they need a million men" . This song also included a "Jody" reference - the term "Jody" originated from "Joe the Grinder" (dated c.1939) - a mythical man in blues and jazz tunes who seduced the wives and girlfriends of soldiers, prisoners, and those away from home. "Grinder" was an old slang word for sex (dated c.1647). It is thought to have been introduced into the army by African-Americans during the Second World War, used in military cadences (marches), such as "ain’t no use in going home, Jody’s got your girl and gone" - shouted out by a military officer, and repeated by the group of marching soldiers in unison. This type of marching later got the nickname of "jodies" or "jody calls". In this case, the narrator is the Jody: "you know my girlfriend got a boyfriend in the army, that fool gotta go overseas" . Hopkins later uses a similar line in the 1969 song "Please Settle in Viet Nam" .

Vietnam War songs by Lightnin Hopkins:

In 1962 Hopkins released the song "War Is Starting Again" on the album Lightnin' Strikes (Vee-Jay Records # LP-1044). In 1969, he released the anti-war single "Please Settle in Viet Nam" (Joliet # 205). He also recorded the song "Vietnam War" with his cousin Billy Bizor on the album Blowing My Blues Away in 1968. In fact, Hopkins released his own version of that song, called "Viet Nam War (Pt.1) & (Pt.2)" on the 1968 album Talkin' Some Sense (Jewel Records # LPS 5001). Finally, in 1970 Hopkins produced the song "Questionnaire Blues" on film, released in 1970 on video, but unreleased on audio format.

Ivory Records 91272B, 45 R.P.M.; "War Is Starting Again" (Hopkins - Semiens), 2:45, Allee Music Publ., BMI; "Lightning Hopkins and His Guitar". Label decorated with two elephant drawings. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (21 lines) ▾

Themes: Draft Jody

Genres: ♪ BluesTexas Blues

Also in: ▤ US Domestic Perspective Songs [War Years]▤ Jody Songs▤ Draft Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#3 Memphis Willie B. Uncle Sam Blues 1962 · Album · Hard Working Man Blues · Prestige Bluesville # BVLP 1048 · USA

Acoustic Blues artist, born on 4 November 1911 in Shelby County, Tennessee, USA, he died on 5 October 1993 in Memphis, Tennessee. He released the early Vietnam War-era draft song, "Uncle Sam Blues" (Bluesville Records #1048), in which the narrator explained to his daughter that "Uncle Sam's havin' trouble overseas" . He continues that "the doctor done okayed me...I got to check with my local board" . Released in 1962, it was probably a little early to be specifically about Vietnam, but an interesting reflection of the contemporary prospect of being drafted to war and the impact on home life.

Show full lyrics (19 lines) ▾

Themes: Draft Reluctance Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesCountry Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs▤ US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]

#4 Luke Miles War Time Blues 1962 · Single · Long Gone / War Time Blues · Smash # S-1755 · USA

Luke Miles, musician in the Electric Texas Blues genre, thought to be a protégé of Lightnin' Hopkins, having moved to Houston, Texas in the 1950s. He was born on 8 May 1925 in Lachute, Louisiana, USA, and died on 22 November 1987 in Los Angeles, California, USA. The song "War Time Blues" (Smash Records # S-1755), recorded on 5 February 1962 in Los Angeles, featuring Sonny Terry on harmonica, and Brownie McGhee on acoustic guitar, dealt with the draft in the build-up to escalation in the Vietnam War under JFK, although it's more of a Cold War song, referencing the Russia leader, Никита Хрущев [Nikita Khrushchev]. The narrator expressed reluctance to be drafted, " "When I get my examination card, I want the doctor to tell me I'm too doggone old".

Credited on Discogs as Luke "Long Gone" Miles, Smash Records S-1755, 7" 45 RPM. Discogs release 8863693 is a promo pressing "Long Gone" (2:57) / "War Time Blues" (2:50). Discogs also lists S-1755 as "Let Me Play With Your Poodle" (2:18) / "War Time Blues" (2:50), released Jul 1962 (release 3841404), with Tampa Red ("Tampa Redd") as Written-By at release level (applies to Poodle). Wikipedia lists both couplings in 1962. Justin owns a copy (Smash S-1755, bought 2026-06-01, $8).

Show full lyrics (21 lines) ▾

Themes: Draft Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesTexas BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#5 Eddie Carson Bombs of Destruction 1962 · Single · Bombs of Destruction / Leave Me Alone · Versa # 1203 · USA

Blues and soul artist Eddie Carson, born on 25 August 1923 in North Carolina, USA, and died on 29 May 1990 in Toledo, Ohio, USA, released the Cold War, atomic bomb-related song, "Bombs of Destruction" (Versa Recording # 1203), released in 1962 in the early Vietnam War period. According to music historian Guido Van Rijn in his 2007 book Kennedy’s Blues: African - American Blues and Gospel Songs on JFK, the song may have been a response to the Cuban Missile crisis.¹ The narrator notes "rumours, rumours of war" and the threat of atomic destruction: "those bloody bombs... may someday... destroy the world" , taking an anti-war position.

Versa Recording 1203 (102023, side A, MW889), stereo, green label, 2033 Dorr - Toledo, Ohio 43607; "Bombs of Destruction", 2:40, BMI-1462; Eddie Carson, arranged by Rober Smith and Eddie Carson; "Noble's Production—2033 Dorr". [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (18 lines) ▾

Theme: Atomic

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#6 Bo Diddley Mr. Khrushchev 1962 · Album · Bo Diddley · Checker # LP 2984 · USA

Bo Diddley, famous Electric Blues artist, also associated with Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll, born Ellas Otha Bates, on 30 December 1928 in McComb, Mississippi, USA. He released the Cold War track "Mr. Khrushchev" (Checker Records # LP 2984) released just as the Vietnam War was building up, another interesting reflection of the contemporary period which creates context for later, specific Vietnam War songs. The title of course referred to the Russia leader, Никита Хрущев [Nikita Khrushchev], and the lyrics reference the US president, John F. Kennedy. In this case, the narrator wanted to go to war, "I want to go overseas, I want to see Khrushchev", in order to hep the president, "JFK can't do it by his self".

Track A2 'Mr. Khrushchev' (credited E. McDaniel). Mono LP, black label. Producer Ralph Bass; supervised by Phil Chess; engineer Ron Malo; cover Don Bronstein. Published by Arc Music (BMI, misprinted 'BIM' on some label tracks). Lacquer cut at Ter Mar Studios; pressed by Plastic Products; Chess Producing Corp. / Checker Record Corp.

Show full lyrics (25 lines) ▾

Themes: Cold War Russia

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric BluesR&B

#7 Teddy Reynolds and The Twisters I Thought the War Was Over 1962 · Album · The Twist · Crown # CLP 5245 · USA

Teddy Reynolds, Blues artists, especially known for playing the piano, born on 12 July 1931 in Houston, Texas, USA, and died on 1 October 1998 in Houston, Texas, USA. He grew up in Houston's 'Third Ward', played piano in bootleg houses and joined the house band at the Third Ward nightclub Shady's Playhouse, playing with Electric Texas Blues artists Johnny Copeland, Albert Collins and other Texas artists, such as Joe Medwick and Amos Milburn. He recorded in the 50s and 60s, especially as a session player at Houston's Peacock Records. He played with Grady Gaines & The Texas Upsetters on the 1990 album Gulf Coast Blues, Volume One.¹

In 1962 he released the song "I Thought the War Was Over" (Crown Records # CLP 5245) - the narrator refers to the "last war" - which could be a reference to the Korean War or World War Two. In any case, "Mr. K said that don't mean a thing", a reference to President John F. Kennedy. In a resigned fashion, the narrator accepts "this world is all mixed up", and that he will be returning to the "old war plant".

Track B5 'I Thought The War Was Over'. Mono LP, black label with multi-color Crown logo (Crown Records, Bihari brothers). A stereo issue exists as Crown CST 247 (no year on Discogs). Discogs styles: Twist, Rhythm & Blues. No writer credits on Discogs. A 2011 Master Classics Records digital reissue also exists.

Themes: Draft Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesR&BTexas Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#8 Big Joe Williams Army Man Blues 1962 · Album · Blues For 9 Strings · Prestige Bluesville # BVLP-1056 · USA

Big Joe Williams (1903-1982), delta blues guitar player, born Joseph Lee Williams, in Crawford Mississippi, used a nine-string acoustic guitar, giving his delta style an interesting, unique sound. He released the song "Army Man Blues" (Bluesville Records # BV 1056) in the early 60s, pre-Gulf of Tonkin period, about receiving the draft call, noting "when you get twenty-one boy you know you're in the government's hands". The song actually references Europe, "I got a big gun way in the European country". This is particularly interesting, because 8 years later he re-recorded the song, updating the lyrics for the Vietnam conflict: "If we don't stop the war in Vietnam I believe we'll drop that old atom bomb" - on the 1970 album Thinking of What They Did to Me (Arhoolie Records # 1053), discussed below.

Track B4 'Army Man Blues'. Personnel: Big Joe Williams (guitar, vocals), Willie Dixon (bass), Larry Johnson (harmonica). Producer Kenneth S. Goldstein; recorded by Mel Kaiser; liner notes Martin Williams. Blue and silver Prestige Bluesville deep-groove label, 203 S. Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J. Matrix BVLP 1056 A / B, etched RVG.

Show full lyrics (16 lines) ▾

Themes: Draft Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesDelta BluesAcoustic Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#9 Snooky Pryor Uncle Sam Don't Take My Man 1963 · Single · Uncle Sam Don't Take My Man / Boogie Twist · J.O.B. # 1126 · USA

Snooky Pryor, born James Edward Pryor on 15 September 1921 in Lambert, Mississippi, USA. He died on 18 October 2006 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA. Known for his harmonic playing, he was part of the Chicago Blues scene. He served in the US army during World War Two. The song "Uncle Sam Don't Take My Man" (J.O.B. Records # 1126), released on Chicago, Illinois record label notes "every time I pick up a paper, I can read something about the war" . It looked at the domestic perspective, "I can just hear women screaming and crying" . Also note the reference to the atomic bomb, a reflection of the Cold War era: "Yes I believe I'll drop the bomb" .

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesChicago Blues

Also in: ▤ US Domestic Perspective Songs [War Years]▤ Draft Songs

#10 J. D. Short Fighting for Dear Old Uncle Sam 1963 · Compilation · Blues From The Mississippi Delta · Folkways # FA 2467 · USA

LP, split between two artists rather than a collaboration, features the song "Fighting for Dear Old Uncle Sam" (Folkways Records # FA 2467) by Delta Blues artist J.D. Short, born on 26 February 1902 in Port Gibson, Mississippi, USA, and died on 21 October 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He played guitar and the harmonica. He moved to St. Louis in the mid-20s, and recorded music in the 30s. Serving in World War Two, like many of his contemporaries, he disappeared for a couple decades, before re-emerging in the late 50s, early 60s blues revival. This song seems to be in reference to World War Two, "may go down in South Pacific, going down in a European land", but released in the early Vietnam War-era, thus included here. In contained vivid combat descriptions, "in some old foxhole... boys, we was afraid to raise our heads".

On the various-artists compilation; track A5. Split LP credited Son House & J. D. Short; side A (A1-A5) by J. D. Short, side B by Son House (from Library of Congress archives). J.D. Short tracks recorded by Samuel B. Charters on 3 July 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Cover design Ronald Clyne; photography David Gahr; lacquer cut Peter Bartok; plated at Dulcet Tone Corporation. Includes full-size booklet with notes and complete lyrics.

Matrix FA2467 A PB / FA2467 B P.B DT.

Reissued as Verve Folkways FV-9035 (1966).

Show full lyrics (18 lines) ▾

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesDelta BluesCountry Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#11 Arthur Weston Uncle Sam Called Me (I Got To Go) 1964 · Pea Vine Whistle · Testament # LP 2209 · USA

Blues artist, which according to Wirz's American Music may have been born on 12 January 1912 in Missouri, and died on 2 February 1996 in Belleville, Saint Clair County, Illinois¹ Recorded in 1964, the song "Uncle Sam Called Me (I Got to Go)" (Testament Records # TCD 6005) was unreleased at the time, and appeared on this archival album, about being drafted: "Uncle Sam called me to the United States army" . The narrator looked at the impact on home life. First, he warned his girlfriend: "Pearly May... I don't know if I'll ever be back" , and second, he described his mother, who "begin to scream...and holler, lord have mercy on my child" . The narrator concluded with the devastating view of the US: "you know that Uncle Sam knew I was born to die" .

Show full lyrics (23 lines) ▾

Theme: Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesDelta Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#12 J.B. Lenoir Vietnam 1965 · Album · Alabama Blues · CBS # 62593 · USA

Despite J.B. Lenoir's laid back acoustic blues style, during his 1960s period he wrote and played many angry political songs about racism and war - a pioneer of the protest movement. Born in Monticello, Mississippi in 1929, he worked with Elmore James in New Orleans, before moving to Chicago in the late 1940s, playing with Muddy Waters and becoming a notable figure in the Chicago blues scene. He died a couple years after the recording of this album, in 1967, at the age of 38.

Lenoir only released this album, Alabama Blues, in his lifetime. Recorded on 5 May 1965, in Chicago Illinois, it contained many references to the civil rights movement and other political events. It was not issued in the US at the time, but only in France, Germany, and Australia. The song "Vietnam" (CBS # 62593) dealt with the draft card arriving and then a man being sent out to Vietnam: "got my questionnaire...Uncle Sam...need you in Vietnam" - questionnaire is the term often used to refer to the draft in blues songs. He expressed reluctance to go to war, and at the end of the song, he made a general peace statement: "I wonder when will all wars come to an end?" .

The song is adapted from his 1951 "Korean Blues" (Chess Records # 1449). Also note he released the 1954 single "I'm in Korea / Eisenhower Blues", another example of his focus on contemporary events. Lenoir also recorded a song called "Vietnam Blues" in 1966, released on the album Crusade (Polydor # 24-4011) in 1970. A live version from 1965, called "Everybody Crying About Vietnam" featured on the album Bye Bye, Bird...Solo Blues (Scout # SC-1) - probably released around 1968-69.

Themes: Anti-War Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesAcoustic Chicago Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#13 J.B. Lenoir Everybody Is Crying About Vietnam 1965 · Album · Bye Bye, Bird...Solo Blues · Scout # SC-1 · USA

The song "Everybody Crying About Vietnam" (Scout # SC-1) by J.B. Lenoir - an alternative version of "Vietnam Blues" - recorded live during a European tour with the American Folk Blues Festival, October 1965, in Hamburg, Germany. However, it looks like the producers and record label owners, Horst Lippman and Johannes Rau, did not release this record until around 1968-69. The original studio version "Vietnam Blues", recorded in 1966, first appeared on the 1970 album Crusade (Polydor # 24-4011) - discussed below. The lyrics of the two songs are fairly similar, although Lenoir went into more detail about Civil Rights legislation. He posed the question to the president: "if you don't want to give us our Civil Rights, why do you send us to fight?". This represented the connection between Civil Rights / race relations and the role of African-Americans in Vietnam. It also included a spoken word introduction, in which Lenoir imagined the sounds of war. Note: this is different to the J.B. Lenoir song "Vietnam" which featured on the 1965 album Alabama Blues (CBS # 62593), discussed above.

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesChicago Blues

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#14 J.B. Lenoir Vietnam Blues 1965 · Album · Down in Mississippi · L+R # LR 42.012 · USA

The song "Vietnam Blues" , another blues song by J.B. Lenoir about the Vietnam conflict. Originally recorded on 2 September 1966 at Sound Studio, Chicago, Illinois, for the German recorded producers Horst Lippman and Johannes Rau, under the supervision of the bluesman Willie Dixon. It featured the drummer Freddie Below. However, it seems that they did not release the record at the time. It probably made its first appearance in 1970, on the album titled Crusade (Polydor # 24-4011). For the 1980 reissue by L+R Records (# LR 42.012) they renamed album Down in Mississippi (taken from the first track title). Both of the J.B. Lenoir songs discussed ("Vietnam" and "Vietnam Blues" ) are on Vietnam Blues: The Complete L+R Recordings - a compilation of both Alabama Blues and Down in Mississippi - these are acoustic albums, with no bass and electric guitar, and with occasional drums, thus returning to the pre-war blues sound.

This song drew a connection between Vietnam and Civil Rights in the US. Lenoir questioned why people complained about Vietnam, but ignored or forget the problems that black Americans faced in their own country: "everybody cryin' about Vietnam, the law killing me down in Mississippi" . Lenoir called on the president to "clean up your own house" . A 1965 live version of this song, called "Everybody Crying About Vietnam" appeared on the album Bye Bye, Bird...Solo Blues (Scout # SC-1) released around 1968-69.

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesAcoustic Chicago Blues

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#15 Allen Orange V.C. Blues 1966 · Single · V. C. Blues / Where the Lonely People Are · Sound Stage 7 # SS45-2573 · USA

A 1960s/70s blues singer, well-known for his collaborations with Allen Toussaint. He founded the record label House of Orange in Nashville, Tennessee. The song "V.C. Blues" (Sound Stage 7 # 2573) took the perspective of a soldier in Vietnam, speaking to his loved ones back home. He informed her that the "V.C. is shooting at me" and that he really wanted to return to "the good old USA" . "V.C." referred to the Viet Cong - the political and military (mainly guerrilla) resistance to the US and South Vietnamese government from within South Vietnam. The soldier expressed a degree of patriotism: "I love...my country, for this I don't mind dying" . He also recalled various events that he would miss out on: "I won't be home this Christmas...and Thanksgiving...4th of July" . Produced by J.R. Enterprises. Composed by Orange/Terry.

Sound Stage 7 45-2573 (S-544), white label marked "Disc Jockey — Not for sale"; "V. C. Blues" (Orange-Terry), time 2:16, Cape Ann Music, BMI; produced by J. R. Enterprises; "A division of Monument Record Corp." [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: Christmas Patriotic Soldier's Perspective VC Combat Thanksgiving

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul Blues

Also in: ▤ Christmas Songs▤ US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]

#16 Johnny Shines So Cold in Vietnam 1966 · Album · Masters of Modern Blues Volume 1 · Testament # T-2212 · USA

Johnny Shines, American Delta blues guitar player from Memphis, Tennessee, who specialised in slide guitar, toured with Robert Johnson in the 1930s and had the odd recording session in 1940s Chicago, although nothing was released at the time. But with the revival of folk and blues in the 1960s, Johnny Shines recorded this album featuring the track "So Cold in Vietnam" (Testament Records # T-2212), narrated from the perspective of a soldier, who missed his sweetheart.

Theme: Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesDelta Blues

Also in: ▤ US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]

#17 King Soloman Please Mr President 1966 · Single · Please Mr. President / Mr. Bad Luck · Kent # K 45x446 · USA

The track "Please Mr. President" (Kent Records # K 45x446) by the blues man King Soloman, apparently based on the West Coast, recording with the Los Angeles label Kent (this is a different artist than the well-known soul singer Solomon Burke, ending with a "mon" rather than "man", also sometimes referred to as "King Solomon"). Released in 1966 with Lyndon B. Johnson in the White House, the narrator of the song bitterly complained to the president about being sent to Vietnam. He loved his country and "never did get the notion to burn up my draft card" , yet he warned the women of American that "Uncle Sam...sure can take your man" . At the end of the song the soldier takes to hugging his pack and rifle to comfort him.

Kent K 45x446 (K 446-1), "Ultra High Fidelity", Hi-Fi, grey label; "Please Mr. President" (Collins), 2:55, BMI, Modern Music Pub. Co.; artist credited as King Soloman. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#18 Bus Brown Mr. L.B.J. 1966 · Single · Mr. L.B.J. / When the Lady Sings the Blues (In Memoir to Billy Holiday) · Burman # B0001 · USA

Burman Records B0001 A, cream label; "Mr. L. B. J." (Brown & Burman), Gent's Pub. Co., BMI, 2:53; arranged by Yusef Salim; recorded by Bradley Recording Co. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: Anti-War LBJ Lady Bird Linda Johnson Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesJazz

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#19 Robert Pete Williams This Is a Mean Old World to Me 1966 · Album · Louisiana Blues · Takoma # B 1011 · USA

Country Blues artist Robert Pete Williams, born on 14 March 1914 in Zachary, Louisiana, USA, and died on 31 December 1980 in Rosedale, Louisiana, USA. The song "This Is a Mean Old World to Me" (Takoma Records # B 1011) contains the devastating line "I'm sorry the day I was born" because of the tough time he faced. This included receiving the draft call: "I got my questionnaire, lord, I'm in the army now" - questionnaire is the term often used to refer to the draft in blues songs. The narrator also noted his sons being in the war: "I got a few sons going over yonder to face the machine gun". The song concludes with the narrator pondering "I don't believe I'll see my mother's face again". Note: Robert Pete Williams also released the single "Viet Nam Blues" (Ahura Mazda Records # 45-AMS-101) in 1970, featuring on the 1971 album Robert Pete Williams (Ahura # AMS 2002).

Track B3 'This Is A Mean Old World To Me'. Mono LP. Robert Pete Williams: guitar, vocals, Written-By (release level). A&R John Fahey and Big Sunflower; booklet notes by Blind Owl Wilson and Elijah P. Holloway (8-page 8x8 booklet). Recorded at Big Sunflower/White Witch Studios; published by Hodolog Music (BMI). Matrix TAKOMA B1011-A / B1011-B. Wikipedia: recorded 1966.

Theme: Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesCountry BluesLouisiana Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#20 Badger King Napalm Blues 1966 · Single · Napalm Blues / Drownin' Rain · Union of Man · USA

Badger King, born Michael Lynn Coelho on 3 January 194 in Fresno, California, USA, and died 12 April 1987.¹² A contemporary folk artist, who participated in anti-Vietnam War demonstrations in the 60s, released the blues style song "Napalm Blues" about chemical weapon Napalm B - a jellied gasoline mixture, with polystyrene, benzene, and gasoline. Declared a war-crime since 1980, the US government extensively used this weapon during the Vietnam conflict, dropping 388,000 tons on Indochina between 1963 and 1973.¹²³ It lyrics contain a graphic description of its devastating impact: "it's a gasoline jelly, burn your arms and your legs, and your back and your belly" . It compares the use of napalm to Hitler's use of gas during World War Two: "well Hitler had the gas, US has the bomb" . The narrator called for an end to the war: "all you people fighting... lay down your guns" .

Union of Man, 45 RPM; "Napalm Blues" (B. King), time 1:45. Plain yellow label with no catalogue number or publisher printed. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (19 lines) ▾

Themes: Anti-War Napalm Hitler

Genre: ♪ Blues

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#21 Junior Wells Vietcong Blues 1966 · Single · Chicago / The Blues / Today! Vol. 1 · Vanguard # VRS-9216 · USA

Junior Wells, born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr. (1934-1998) in Memphis Tennessee, moved to Chicago in the late 1940s and based his career in the Chicago soul scene, well-known for his vocals and harmonica. On this album featured the live performance "Viet-Cong Blues" (Vanguard Records # VRS-9216), performed at the 1966 American Folk Blues Festival. An alternative version was later released on single, called "Vietnam-Blues" (1967), discussed below. Also note that Wells released the song "The Hippies Are Trying" (1968), a Vietnam-era pro-hippie and peace song.

Show full lyrics (18 lines) ▾

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Anti-War

Genres: ♪ BluesChicago BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#22 Sylvia Maddox Viet Nam Blues 1966 · Single · Got to Be Free / Viet Nam Blues · Duke # 408 · USA

The track "Viet Nam Blues" appears to be the only single by the obscure R&B / soul singer Sylvia Maddox. Released on the Memphis, Tennessee label Duke Records (#408) in 1966, the song expressed a mother's loneliness, because "Uncle Sam has taken my baby...to Vietnam" .

Duke 408 (UV 7227), orange label, 45 RPM; "Viet Nam Blues" (S. Crite), 2:30, Don Music Co., BMI. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Theme: Anti-War

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul Blues

Also in: ▤ US Domestic Perspective Songs [War Years]▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]▤ Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs

#23 Junior Wells Vietnam Blues 1967 · Single · Vietnam Blues / Roll 'Em Pete · AMIGA # 4 50 599 · Germany

Junior Wells, born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr. (1934-1998) in Memphis Tennessee, moved to Chicago in the late 1940s and based his career in the Chicago soul scene, well-known for his vocals and harmonica. The song "Vietnam-Blues" (AMIGA # 4 50 599) by Junior Wells expressed sympathy for those dying and took an anti-war stance. The narrator began to "sing the blues" for his "brother...in Vietnam" , and for all the "mothers, all the wives, all the fathers" who had a son or husband fighting the war. The narrator suggested that those supporting the war "got to be wrong" , and it noted that some people had "no respect for" the "country" because of the war.

Wells performed an alternative version of the song at the 1966 American Folk Blues Festival, which subsequently appeared on the 1966 album Chicago / The Blues / Today! Vol. 1 (Vanguard Records # VRS-9216), under the title "Viet-Cong Blues" . Wells also released the song "The Hippies Are Trying" (1968), a Vietnam-era pro-hippie and peace song.

Amiga 4 50 599 A, VEB Deutsche Schallplatten, red and cream label, BIEM N 504 2125, M 45; "Vietnam-Blues" (Wells–Wells), Junior Wells (voc, harmonica) "und Solisten des 'American Folk Blues Festival 66'", "Mitschnitt einer öffentlichen Veranstaltung".

The front of the picture sleeve shows Wells playing harmonica into a microphone under the psychedelic lettering "Vietnam Blues / Roll 'em Pete".

The back gives the flip side as "Roll 'em Pete" (Big Joe Turner–Big Joe Turner) by Big Joe Turner (voc) with the festival soloists. Both sides are described as recorded live at a public performance in the Friedrichstadt-Palast on 16.10.66.

The back also carries an Amiga "Tanzmusik-Schallplatten-Angebot Januar 1967" listing, "VEB Deutsche Schallplatten · 108 Berlin", and "Gestaltung: Vonderwerth". [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (18 lines) ▾

Theme: Anti-War

Genres: ♪ BluesChicago BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ European Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#24 Big Amos Going to Vietnam 1967 · Single · I'm Gone / Going to Vietnam · M.O.C. # 45-665 · USA

The blues track "Going to Vietnam" (M.O.C. Records # M.O.C.) by Big Amos Patton, from Sardis, Mississippi, and nephew of the famous 1920s-1930s delta bluesman Charley Patton, it was recorded in Memphis Tennessee, but is very much set to the style of the electric, Chicago blues (like Muddy Waters & Junior Wells). The lyrics told a straight forward narrative of a man being drafted to Vietnam, expressing fears about his lover staying true to him. There is no question of draft dodging, opposition to war, or patriotism, just the simple point that "Uncle Sam called me...And I've got to go" .

M.O.C. 45-665 (HI 2493), "Promotional Copy", sunburst label; "Going to Vietnam" (Amos Patton), 2:49, Pub: JEC Publishing Corp., BMI; produced by Willie Mitchell; "Recorded in Memphis"; distributed by London Records, Inc., made in U.S.A. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#25 Nina Simone Backlash Blues 1967 · Album · Nina Simone Sings The Blues · RCA Victor # LSP-3789 · USA

The song "Backlash Blues" (RCA Victor # LPM-3789), composed by Nina Simone and Langston Hughes in 1966, and appearing on this 1967 album, referenced the Vietnam War in the first verse, making a connection between the war and Civil Rights: "you... send my son to Vietnam, you give me second class houses and... schools, do you think that all colored people are just second class fools?" . Like J.B. Lenoir, this song questioned why the government sent African-Americans to fight in Vietnam, while back home in the US, African-Americans faced discrimination, and were treated as second class citizens through segregation. The lyrics and notation later appeared in Broadside # 88, January 1968.

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesBlues Jazz

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#26 Mark Comfort Damn Vietnam (Part 1) 1967 · Single · Damn Vietnam (Part 1) / Damn Vietnam (Part 2) · O.D.A.C. · USA

Credited on the record as Mark Comfort and Guitar.

Born Mark Everett Comfort on 6 February 1934 in Oklahoma, USA, he was a Civil Rights activist and member of the Black Panthers in Oakland, California - the well-known African-American political organisation, founded by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton in October 1966. He died on 6 November 1976 in Sprague River, Oregon, USA.

He was arrested in 1967 at a demonstration, along with Newton and Seale. According to the Black Panthers magazine, "Panther Ambush", which published an advert of the 7" record, the song was released to raise money to pay for bail, writing "Above is jacket of Mark Comfort's latest 45 (not pistol) record on sale locally at Shakespeare's. It was issues frankly to raise bail for Mark. That's a good cause".¹

Both sides were called "Damn Vietnam", but it's one song split into both sides - it's a significant representation of the Black Panther movement and its role in opposition to the Vietnam War, noting the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom in another part of the world, while African-Americans faced discrimination in the US. Starting with the a-side track "Damn Vietnam" (A-side), it started out with presenting an anti-war perspective, with the well-known 60s phrase, "well you can tell Uncle Sam, I don't give a damn about the Vietnam". It then moved into the Civil Rights territory, questioning why African-American should fight against communism, when they need to "fight against some crackers in the Southern land".

The B-side track "Damn Vietnam" (B-side) also tackled the Civil Rights issue, opining the military or government were killing black soldiers on the front line, "extermination...black boys in the front line, dying for what, I don't know". Furthermore, Comfort criticised American imperialism, arguing the hypocrisy of spreading freedom throughout the world, "it's been 350 years and I ain't got my freedom yet".

O.D.A.C., maroon label printed in silver with no catalogue number: "Damn Vietnam", Mark Comfort and Guitar. The picture sleeve shows a black-and-white photograph of Mark Comfort in profile, wearing a beret with an insignia badge, a jacket and waistcoat, with the title "damn vietnam", his name and "odac". [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (36 lines) ▾

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights Black Panther Communism Anti-Government

Genre: ♪ Blues

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#27 Mark Comfort Damn Vietnam (Part 2) 1967 · Single · Damn Vietnam (Part 1) / Damn Vietnam (Part 2) · O.D.A.C. · USA

Credited on the record as Mark Comfort and Guitar.

Annotation: see “Damn Vietnam (Part 1)” above (same release).

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights Black Panther Communism Anti-Government

Genre: ♪ Blues

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#28 Steve Mann Vietnam Blues 1967 · Straight Life · Custom Fidelity # CFS-1675 · USA

Steve Mann, born on 2 May 1943 in California, USA, he died on 9 September 2009 in San Pablo, California, USA. In 1965 he was a member of the experimental rock group The Mothers of Invention, playing guitar and harmonica. On this album featured the song "Vietnam Blues" (Custom Fidelity Records # CFS-1675) - he has the writing credit but it contains some familiar lines from other songs on this list, such as the first line: "Uncle Sam ain't no woman, but he sure can take your man" , as well as "I got my questionnaire, they're gonna lead me off to war" . The narrator requests upon his death to "write hero on my grave" . Also of note is a couple references to the number of troops in Vietnam, firstly saying "they got 300,000 in the service" , and then later "they got 400,000....in some place I read about called Vietnam" .

Theme: Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesAcoustic BluesCountry Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#29 Madame Nellie Robinson Viet Nam 1968 · Single · Viet Nam / Mini Your Dress Is Too Short · Gospel Corner # 127 · USA

In the blues / gospel track "Viet Nam" (Gospel Corner Records # GC-127) Madame Nellie Robinson pleaded for the conclusion of the Vietnam War - "settle this war in Vietnam" - in order to stop people from dying: "lord have mercy, a child is dying" . It considered the pain felt by those fighting: "soldiers laying in mud" . It also looked at the family and friends of soldiers in the US: "mothers and fathers at home crying" . Robinson signed to the label Gospel Corner, based in Los Angeles, California, by Brother Hudson in 1968, a subsidiary of Proverb Records.¹ Composed by Madame Nellie Robinson. Produced by Bro. Henderson.

Gospel Corner Records GC-127-B, "Subsidiary of Proverb Records", 5328 So. Central Ave., Los Angeles 11, Calif., green label; "Viet Nam" (Madame Nellie Robinson), time 2:25, Lil-Etta Music, BMI; produced by Bro. Henderson. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Theme: Anti-War

Genres: ♪ BluesGospel Blues

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#30 Brother Will Hairston The War in Vietnam 1968 · Single · The War in Vietnam / When I'm Gone · Knowles # K-106 · USA

Brother Will Hairston, blues gospel artist, born on 22 November 1919 in Brookfield, Mississippi, USA (died 7 March 1988), known as the Hurricane of the Motor City, released several topical, history records, including the JFK tribute, Story of President Kennedy, and the MLK and Civil Rights single, Rev. King Had a Time / Alabama Bus. Also related to Civil Rights, he released one of the rare pre-MLK assassination songs, March on to Montgomery about the Selma to Montgomery march.

The song "The War in Vietnam" (Knowles Recording Co. # K-106) took an anti-war position in the first line, and repeated throughout, "oh lord, stop the war in Vietnam" . It noted the government's war objectives: "Congress says they are dying for victory" and "Uncle Sam says they are dying for liberty" . However, the narrator rejected this, focused on the death and suffering: "our soldiers they are dying" . Of course, it also contained religious sentiment as often found in these gospel / blues songs: "our soldiers, they are praying in fox holes" . Also note the reference to the atomic bomb: "real worried about that atomic bomb" - a reflection of the Cold War period. Released on his own Detroit, Michigan label.

Knowles Recording Co., Detroit, Mich. 48212, K 106 A, 45 RPM; Brother Will Hairston, "The Hurricane of the Motor City", phone 871-0144; "The War in Vietnam", with pianist Magnolia Tillman and drummer Washboard Willie. Red label. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (22 lines) ▾

Themes: Anti-War Soldier's Perspective Religion Atomic

Genres: ♪ BluesGospel

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#31 John Lee Hooker I Gotta Go to Vietnam 1968 · Album · Urban Blues · MCA # MCAD-10760 · USA

The well-known and influential blues singer / songwriter John Lee Hooker, known for playing an Electric Blues style of the Delta Blues, born on 22 August 1917 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA, he died on 21 June 2001 in Los Altos, California, USA. Although born in Mississippi, he largely lived and worked in Detroit. Chicago blues grew in the northern US cities in the post-war electric period. Despite mainly using an electric guitar and performing in the cities of the north, Hooker's style more closely resembled the southern rural blues, such as delta, country, and folk blues. He recorded a few Vietnam War-related tracks - in 1969, he released the single "I Don't Want to Go to Vietnam" (Bluesway Records # 61023) - see below. He also released the song "The World Today" , in collaboration with Canned Heat on the 1971 album Hooker 'n Heat.

He recorded the song "I Gotta Go to Vietnam" on 29 May 1969 at the Vault Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California. Not released at the time, it later appeared as a bonus track on the 1993 CD reissue Urban Blues (MCA Records # MCAD-10760) - he released the original LP in 1968: Urban Blues (Bluesway Records # BLS 6012).¹ Hooker took the tradition blues tune "Rollin' & Tumblin" and adapted it for the Vietnam conflict, telling the listener that "Uncle Sam need me" , and so he had to "go to Vietnam" - the track did not express patriotism or opposition to this. The narrator also wanted his girl to "be good" during his military service.

Theme: Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#32 Lightnin' Hopkins Viet Nam War (Pt. 1) & (Pt. 2) 1968 · Album · Talkin' Some Sense · Jewel [Shreveport] # LPS 5001 · USA

Lightnin' Hopkins, born Sam Hopkins on 15 March 1912, in Centreville, Texas, recorded extensively from the 1940s-1970s, typically playing blues in the style that came out of his native Texas, like Blind Lemon Jefferson (acoustic / electric Texas blues). Often singing about topical events, such as the Korean War and Great Depression, in the mid-late 1960s he turned his attention to Vietnam. He died in Houston Texas on 30 January 1982.¹ Hopkins released several Vietnam War-related songs (see the info box below).

On this album is the song "Viet Nam War (Pt.1) & (Pt.2)" (Jewel Records # LPS 5001), recorded on 17 January 1968, a few month before the song "Vietnam War", performed with his cousin Billy Bizor on the album Blowing My Blues Away in 1968, discussed above. Essentially, it is an alternative version of the same song. Recorded at the ACA Recording Studio in Houston, Texas, it displayed the fear of a draft letter arriving from President Johnson (LBJ). It featured Billy Bizor on the harmonica.

Vietnam War songs by Lightnin Hopkins:

In 1962 Hopkins released the song "War Is Starting Again" on the album Lightnin' Strikes (Vee-Jay Records # LP-1044). In 1969, he released the anti-war single "Please Settle in Viet Nam" (Joliet # 205). He also recorded the song "Vietnam War" with his cousin Billy Bizor on the album Blowing My Blues Away in 1968. In fact, Hopkins released his own version of that song, called "Viet Nam War (Pt.1) & (Pt.2)" on the 1968 album Talkin' Some Sense (Jewel Records # LPS 5001). Finally, in 1970 Hopkins produced the song "Questionnaire Blues" on film, released in 1970 on video, but unreleased on audio format.

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesTexas Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#33 Lowell Fulsom The Letter 1968 · Single · The Letter / Let's Go Get Stoned · Kent # K 45x486 · USA

Credited on the record as Lowell Fuson.

Lowell Fulson, blues guitarist, often associated with Electric Blues on the West Coast, was born on 31 March 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. He died on 6 March 1999 in Long Beach, California, USA. The song "The Letter" (Kent # K 45x486) is narrated from a soldier's perspective, writing to his sweetheart, "all I need is your best wishes" . He reveals in the final line, "please try not to forget me, I'm over here in Vietnam" .

Pink Kent "Hi-Fi" label, K 45x486 (K 486-1), marked "Plug Side" and "Promotional Copy – Not For Sale"; "The Letter" (Fulsom), BMI, Modern Music Pub. Co., time 2:23; produced and arranged by Maxwell Davis. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Theme: Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]

#34 Junior Wells The Hippies Are Trying 1968 · Single · The Hippies Are Trying / You're Tuff Enough · Blue Rock # B-4052 · USA

Junior Wells, born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr. (1934-1998) in Memphis Tennessee, moved to Chicago in the late 1940s and based his career in the Chicago soul scene, well-known for his vocals and harmonica. He also wrote and recorded the song "Vietnam-Blues" , released as a single in 1967, a live version of which appeared on the 1966 album Chicago / The Blues / Today! Vol. 1, performed at the American Folk Blues Festival, under the title "Vietcong Blues" . The song "The Hippies Are Trying" (Blue Rock Records # B-4052) was a a Vietnam-era pro-hippie peace song, referencing the need for "more love" and "flower children" .

Blue Rock (Mercury) B-4052, matrix 1-41942, blue label; "The Hippies Are Trying" (Daniels, Moore), 4:09, Jadan Music - MRC Music Inc., BMI; produced by Jack Daniels, arranged by Charles Stepney; "From Blue Rock's album, 'You're Tuff Enough Junior Wells' SRB-64002". [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (21 lines) ▾

Themes: Counter-Culture & Hippies Peace

Genres: ♪ BluesChicago BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#35 Odetta Peace and Harmony 1968 · Single · Peace and Harmony / Until It's Time for You to Go · Verve Forecast # KF 5087 · USA

vocals by Odetta - born Odetta Holmes on 31 December 1930 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA (and died on 2 December 2008 in New York, NY, USA), contemporary folk, blue artist, prominent in the protest and Civil Rights movement, sometimes referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement".

Verve Forecast KF5087 (104,910), "Disc Jockey Record - Not for Sale"; "Peace and Harmony" (Shelley - Ellis), 2:42, Spiral Record Corp., ASCAP; A Groscourt Prod. Rim: "MGM Records - A Division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc." [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesJazz

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]▤ Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs

#36 John Lee Hooker I Don't Wanna Go to Vietnam 1968 · Single · I Don't Wanna Go to Vietnam / Mean Mean Woman · Bluesway # 61023 · USA

In the song "I Don't Wanna Go to Vietnam" (Bluesway Records # 61023) he reflected on his friends' involvement in Vietnam, the fear of the draft, and, like J.B. Lenoir, questioned why the US were in Vietnam when "we got so much trouble at home" - presumably a Civil Rights message as well. The song featured on the 1968 album Simply the Truth (Bluesway # BLS-6023).

Bluesway 45-61023 ("Bluesway ... is where it's at!", ABC Records logo), side AMP 45-15381; "I Don't Wanna Go to Vietnam" (John Lee Hooker), Pamco Music, Inc., BMI, 3:25; "From Bluesway LP 6023 'Simply the Truth'"; produced by Bob Thiele. "A Product of ABC Records, Inc., New York, N.Y. 10019 • Made in USA." [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: Anti-War Draft Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ US Domestic Perspective Songs [War Years]▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Draft Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#37 Billy Bizor with Lightnin' Hopkins Vietnam War 1969 · Album · Blowing My Blues Away · Home Cooking # HCS 111 · USA

The bluesman Billy Bizor, born in Centerville, Texas in 1913, released the track "Vietnam War" (Home Cooking LP 111) - the same song, but a different recording of "Viet Nam War (Pt. 1) & (Pt.2)" by Lightnin' Hopkins on the album Talkin' Some Sense (Jewel Records # LPS 5001), discussed below. This track, recorded on 15 April 1968 at the ACA Recording Studio in Houston, Texas, just a year before he died in April 1969 (in the same city), also featured his cousin Hopkins (lead vocals and electric guitar). Bizor on the harmonica, and the very faint piano playing by Elmore Nixon. The lyrics told a heartfelt conversation between a mother and her son on the home front in the US. The son pondered whether his brother, in Vietnam, might earn money in the army, hoping that he could send it home. But the mother told him that "ain't no way" to talk about his brother. Moreover, Uncle Sam might call him up next. The song referenced President Johnson (LBJ) sending people to war. Suggested by Pablinchi.

Vietnam War songs by Lightnin Hopkins:

In 1962 Hopkins released the song "War Is Starting Again" on the album Lightnin' Strikes (Vee-Jay Records # LP-1044). In 1969, he released the anti-war single "Please Settle in Viet Nam" (Joliet # 205). He also recorded the song "Vietnam War" with his cousin Billy Bizor on the album Blowing My Blues Away in 1968. In fact, Hopkins released his own version of that song, called "Viet Nam War (Pt.1) & (Pt.2)" on the 1968 album Talkin' Some Sense (Jewel Records # LPS 5001). Finally, in 1970 Hopkins produced the song "Questionnaire Blues" on film, released in 1970 on video, but unreleased on audio format.

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesTexas Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#38 Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup Questionnaire Blues 1969 · Album · Look On Yonder's Wall · Delmark # DS-614 · USA

Delta Blues and Electric Blues artist, born on 24 August 1905 in Forest, Mississippi, USA, he died on 28 March 1974 in Nassawadox, Virginia, USA. This album contained the song "Questionnaire Blues" (Delmark Records # DS-614) - the term often used to refer to the draft. It was recorded on 25 May 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, featuring Crudup on vocals and guitar, and Ransom Knowling on bass. This song is in fact a re-recorded version of "Give Me a 32-20" (1942), released about World War Two. Note: In a similar way. Crudup recorded "This War Is Awful" (1969) in the Vietnam War-era, which was also a re-recorded version of a World War Two song, "Cool Disposition" (Bluebird Records # 34-0738), released on single in 1945. The narrator notes receiving the draft card, disappointed to leave his girlfriend, but "don't want to break the county law". He then describes how when he starts the training, with a gun in his hand, he "gonna kill me somebody, cause the world can't understand".

Track A2 'Questionnaire Blues'. Stereo LP. Personnel: Arthur Crudup (vocals, guitar), Edward El (guitar), Ransom Knowling and Dave Myers ('Dave Meyers') (bass), Lawrence 'Judge' Riley (drums). Producer/supervision/liner notes Bob Koester; recorded by Ed Cody; photography George Wilkerson; cover Zbigniew Jastrzebski. White label, blue print, 'Seven West Grand St.' address; back cover tribute to Ransom Knowling (d. 1967).

Show full lyrics (23 lines) ▾

Theme: Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesDelta BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#39 Kurrt Watkins and Soul Sister 7 I Ain't Buying No Saigon Tea 1969 · Single · I Ain't Buyin No Saigon Tea / Theme For Billy · Not On Label · Thailand

Unknown biographical details about this artists. The record was released in Thailand, copy-righted 23 July 1969 - Kuurt Watkins may have been an active service G.I., or recent veteran, and if so, likely serving in the Vietnam War due to the theme found in the lyrics of the song, "I Ain't Buying No Saigon Tea" , about prostitution in Saigon, South Vietnam. It's also possible that he was a US artist, who played for US soldiers in Bangkok, while not necessarily serving in military himself. As mentioned, the song looked at Saigon nightlife, with US G.I.s visiting bars, and possibly engaging prostitutes: "well I took a trip to Saigon... tried to kiss a girl, she yelled 'GI, please be nice'".

Thai pressing, no label name or catalogue number.

Matrix (etched): A ATP 5502-1 / B ATP 5503-1. Kurrt Watkins credited Written-By, Performer, and saxophone (uncredited). Discogs notes: 'Copy righted 23 July 1969'. Discogs genre Funk / Soul; styles Rhythm & Blues, Soul. Justin owns a copy (bought 2022-10-01, spreadsheet spells 'Kuurt').

Picture sleeve (front: photo of Kurrt Watkins with tenor saxophone); back: "Written and played by Kurrt Watkins – All rights reserved – Copy righted 23 July 1969"; red Side 1 label, 45 R.P.M. Kurrt Watkins was a US serviceman; released in Thailand (source: a book – reference to follow from Justin). [From the record sleeve and label]

Themes: Saigon R&R Soldier's Perspective Military

Genres: ♪ BluesR&B

Also in: ▤ US Military & Veteran Songs

#40 T-Bone Walker Vietnam 1969 · Album · Every Day I Have the Blues · BluesTime # BTS-9004 · USA

Electric Texas Blues artist, T-Bone Walker, born Aaron Thibeaux Walker on 28 May 1910 in Linden, Texas, USA, and died on 16 March 1975 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Beginning his career in the Dallas, Texas area in the 1920s, Blind Lemon Jefferson was a family friend of his mother and step-father, both musicians. In 1930s he worked on the West Coast scene, and spent time in the 40s in Chicago.¹² The song "Vietnam" (BluesTime # BTS-9004), composed and produced by Bob Thiele, took an anti-war position, narrated from the soldier's perspective: "I'm still in Vietnam... I just want this war to stop" . He called the politicians "insane" , pleading with the "president and Congress" to "end it soon" .

BluesTime BTS-9004, a Flying Dutchman label (Bob Thiele). [From Rate Your Music]

Show full lyrics (17 lines) ▾

Theme: Anti-War

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric Texas Blues

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#41 Lightnin' Hopkins Please Settle In Viet Nam 1969 · Single · Please Settle in Viet Nam / Once a Gambler · Joliet # 205 · USA

Credited on the record as Lightning Hopkins.

Lightnin' Hopkins, born Sam Hopkins on 15 March 1912, in Centreville, Texas, recorded extensively from the 1940s-1970s, typically playing blues in the style that came out of his native Texas, like Blind Lemon Jefferson (acoustic / electric Texas blues). Often singing about topical events, such as the Korean War and Great Depression, in the mid-late 1960s he turned his attention to Vietnam. He died in Houston Texas on 30 January 1982.¹ He recorded several Vietnam War-related songs, see the info box below.

Hopkins recorded the song "Please Settle in Viet Nam" in Berkeley, California, under the direction of Chris Strachwitz (the founder of the Californian label Arhoolie Records), on 20 May 1969, for the session which produced the album Lightnin'! (Poppy # PYS-60,002). But the song did not appear on the album. Strachwitz released "Please Settle in Viet Nam" on this single (Joliet # 205) and then later on the album Lightning Hopkins in Berkeley (Arhoolie # 1063).¹

In the lyrics, Hopkins wanted to see "an ending to the war" and called on the government to settle the Vietnam issue. It also included a little twist. Hopkins said that his girlfriend actually had a man fighting in the war, and that he hoped "he'll stay forever" in the army, because he did not "want to leave that girl" . This idea is similar to the "jody" theme - a mythical man in blues and jazz tunes who seduced the wives and girlfriends of soldiers, prisoners, and those away from home. In this case, the narrator played the role of the "jody" . Hopkins used this same line in an earlier track, "War Is Starting Again" , from the 1962 album Lightnin' Strikes (Vee-Jay Records # LP-1044).

Vietnam War songs by Lightnin Hopkins:

In 1962 Hopkins released the song "War Is Starting Again" on the album Lightnin' Strikes (Vee-Jay Records # LP-1044). In 1969, he released the anti-war single "Please Settle in Viet Nam" (Joliet # 205). He also recorded the song "Vietnam War" with his cousin Billy Bizor on the album Blowing My Blues Away in 1968. In fact, Hopkins released his own version of that song, called "Viet Nam War (Pt.1) & (Pt.2)" on the 1968 album Talkin' Some Sense (Jewel Records # LPS 5001). Finally, in 1970 Hopkins produced the song "Questionnaire Blues" on film, released in 1970 on video, but unreleased on audio format.

Joliet 205 A, Joliet Productions, Box 67201, Los Angeles, Calif. 90067, "Promotional Copy - Not for Sale"; "Please Settle in Viet Nam" (S. Hopkins), 2:50, Tradition Music / Joliet Music BMI; produced by C. Strachwitz, Arhoolie Prod.; artist credited as Lightning Hopkins. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: Anti-War Jody

Genres: ♪ BluesTexas Blues

Also in: ▤ Jody Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#42 Big Joe Williams Army Man in Vietnam 1969 · Album · Thinking of What They Did To Me · Arhoolie # 1053 · USA

Big Joe Williams (1903-1982), delta blues guitar player, born Joseph Lee Williams, in Crawford Mississippi, used a nine-string acoustic guitar, giving his delta style an interesting, unique sound. In the track "Army Man in Vietnam" (Arhoolie Records # 1053) he expressed a desire to "stop the war in Vietnam" because he feared that the government might "drop that atom bomb" , a reflection of Cold War tensions. The song also showed concern for young men, at the age of eighteen, drafted into the army and given a gun. Note the minor reference to Christmas: "some will be home for Christmas, some will hurt real bad" .

Chris Strachwitz (founder of Arhoolie) recorded the song on 14 December 1969 at Arhoolie House in Berkeley, California. It featured Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica.¹ This song, as discussed above, is an updated version of his 1962 track "Army Man Blues" on the album Blues for Nine Strings (Bluesville Records # BV 1056) which referred to being "in the European country" rather than Vietnam.

Themes: Anti-War Draft Christmas Atomic

Genres: ♪ BluesDelta Blues

Also in: ▤ Christmas Songs▤ Draft Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#43 Lightnin' Hopkins Questionnaire Blues 1970 · Unreleased · Unreleased · Not On Label · USA

Lightnin' Hopkins, born Sam Hopkins on 15 March 1912, in Centreville, Texas, recorded extensively from the 1940s-1970s, typically playing blues in the style that came out of his native Texas, like Blind Lemon Jefferson, both the Acoustic Texas Blues and Electric Texas Blues. Often singing about topical events, such as the Korean War and Great Depression, in the mid-late 1960s he turned his attention to Vietnam. He died in Houston Texas on 30 January 1982.¹

According to blues music historian Guido Van Rijn, Hopkins also performed the song "Questionnaire Blues" on film, released in 1970 on video, but unreleased on audio format. Re-issued on DVD, "Rare Performances 1960-1979" (Vestapol Productions # 13022).¹ The lyrics are transcribed in his book The Nixon and Ford Blues: African-American Blues and Gospel Songs on Vietnam, Watergate, Civil Rights and Inflation, 1969-1976 (Agram Blues Books, 2011), p.108. As suggested in the title, the narrator announces that "poor Lightnin' found his questionnaire... at my age Uncle Sam want me in the army" . In a possible Civil Rights message, as seen in other Vietnam War blues songs, he said "I don't wanna go 'cause I had too many fights over here" .

Vietnam War songs by Lightnin Hopkins:

In 1962 Hopkins released the song "War Is Starting Again" on the album Lightnin' Strikes (Vee-Jay Records # LP-1044). In 1969, he released the anti-war single "Please Settle in Viet Nam" (Joliet # 205). He also recorded the song "Vietnam War" with his cousin Billy Bizor on the album Blowing My Blues Away in 1968. In fact, Hopkins released his own version of that song, called "Viet Nam War (Pt.1) & (Pt.2)" on the 1968 album Talkin' Some Sense (Jewel Records # LPS 5001). Finally, in 1970 Hopkins produced the song "Questionnaire Blues" on film, released in 1970 on video, but unreleased on audio format.

Show full lyrics (25 lines) ▾

Themes: Draft Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesTexas Blues

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Draft Songs

#44 Matt Jones Hell No! I Ain't Gonna Go 1970 · Single · Hell No! I Ain't Gonna Go / Supersam · Relevant # RP 1 · USA

Matt Jones, an African-American civil rights activist and contemporary folk / blues / R&B cross-over musician, acted as field secretary of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), an important Civil Rights organisation in the 1960s, taking part in sit-ins and freedom rides, and organising voter registration.¹ In 1964 he joined the The Freedom Singers, who played music to raise money for the SNCC. Their 1965 album The Freedom Singers Sing of Freedom Now! included a couple Vietnam tracks.

The song "Hell No! I Ain't Gonna Go" (Relevant # RP 1), written by Matt Jones and Elaine Laron, took the title from the famous slogan and chant often seem at anti-war demonstrations in the 1960s and 70s. It had a blues structure, with soul and R&B instrumentation. In the song the narrator refused the draft call, declared the war a sham, and related it back to Civil Rights issues: "the Vietcong just like I am...I got business in Harlem" . Broadside magazine originally published the lyrics and music in # 82, July 1967. The song them appeared on the 1970 compilation Broadside Ballads Vol. 5: Time Is Running Out under both their names, although the single edition from the same year was attributed to Matt Jones.

Relevant RP 1-A; "Hell No! I Ain't Gonna Go", 3:22, by Matt Jones and Elaine Laron; Relevant Productions, P.O. Box 81, Lenox Hill Station, New York, N.Y. 10021 (212-BE 3-3300). [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (15 lines) ▾

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights VC

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Draft Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]▤ Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs

#45 Guitar Slim Green This War Ain't Right 1970 · Album · Stone Down Blues · Kent # KST-549 · USA

Guitar Slim Green, obscure blues artist, born on 25 July 1907 in Bryan, Texas, USA, and died 28 September 1975 in Los Angeles, California, USA. The song "This War Ain't Right" (Kent Records # KST-549) composed by Johnny Otis, takes an anti-war position, describing the conflict as a "lowdown dirty shame" . It notes the incursion into Cambodia under the Nixon-era, which re-stirred the anti-war movement: "I got a brother in Cambodia, and I got one dead in Vietnam" . Like some of the other blues & soul songs of the era, the song looked at the issue of Civil Rights and the treatment of African-American in the US, with the narrator noting "I've got to go kill a brown man for the white man" .

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights Cambodia Nixon

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#46 Leon Thomas Damn Nam (Ain't Goin' to Vietnam) Part 1 1970 · Single · Damn Nam (Ain't Goin' to Vietnam) Part 1 / Damn Nam (Ain't Goin' to Vietnam) Part 2 · Flying Dutchman # FD 26009 · USA

Leon Thomas, born on 4 October 1937 in East Saint-Louis, Illinois, USA, and died on 8 May 1999 in New York, USA, an American Avant-Garde Jazz musician, released the song "Damn Nam (Ain't Goin' to Vietnam)" (Flying Dutchman # FD 26009), split into two tracks across this single. It featured on the 1969 album Spirits Known and Unknown (Flying Dutchman # FD-10115). The single received limited coverage in Billboard magazine.¹

This song had a blues structure and tone, taking a strong anti-war position: "it’s a dirty mean war" . The narrator declared "you can throw me in jail, but I ain’t goin’ to Vietnam" . The song particularly took note of the use of napalm and its indiscriminate use: "got to drop some napalm... never see the guy he’s got to kill" - chemical weapon Napalm B - a jellied gasoline mixture, with polystyrene, benzene, and gasoline. Declared a war-crime since 1980, the US government extensively used this weapon during the Vietnam conflict, dropping 388,000 tons on Indochina between 1963 and 1973.²³⁴⁵

Flying Dutchman FD 26009, vocal, white promotional labels marked "Promotional — Not for Sale", 45 RPM; "A Product of Flying Dutchman Productions Ltd., 65 W. 55th St., New York 10019", "Distributed by Mainstream Records, Inc.", made in USA. "Damn Nam (Ain't Goin' to Vietnam) Part I" (Leon Thomas), Nuwaupu Publishing, ASCAP, 2:35, master no. ZTSP 148895/63749; "Part II" (Leon Thomas), 1:33, master no. ZTSP 148896/63749A. [From the record sleeve and labels]

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Themes: Anti-War Draft Napalm

Genres: ♪ JazzFree JazzVocal Jazz

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs▤ Jazz Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#47 Leon Thomas Damn Nam (Ain't Goin' to Vietnam) Part 2 1970 · Single · Damn Nam (Ain't Goin' to Vietnam) Part 1 / Damn Nam (Ain't Goin' to Vietnam) Part 2 · Flying Dutchman # FD 26009 · USA

Annotation: see “Damn Nam (Ain't Goin' to Vietnam) Part 1” above (same release).

Themes: Anti-War Draft Napalm

Genres: ♪ JazzFree JazzVocal Jazz

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs▤ Jazz Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#48 Memphis Slim Chicago Seven 1970 · Single · Chicago Seven / Boogie Woogie 1-9-7-0 · Warner Bros. # 7500 · USA

The song "Chicago Seven" (Warner Bros. Records # 7500) by Memphis Slim (born Pete Chapman) - a highly regarded blues piano player from Memphis, Tennessee (1915-1988), who moved to Chicago in the late 1930s - dealt with political protest during the Vietnam War and Civil Rights. It appeared on the 1971 album Blue Memphis (Warner Bros. Records # WS 1899).¹

The title referred to several people arrested outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August 1968 for inciting riots. Originally eight people stood trial, all high profile activists - Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin from the hippie movement, the Black Panther leader Bobby Seale, political activists Rennie Davis, David Dellinger, John Froines, Lee Weiner, and Tom Hayden (married to Jane Fonda - together they released a documentary in 1973 about their visit to North Vietnam, called Introduction to the Enemy). The trial began on 24 September 1969, but soon after the Judge, Julius Hoffman, ordered Bobby Seale to be bound and gagged for contempt of court. He was tried separately, and thus the eight became seven (see the 1970 album Gagged and Chained: The Sentencing of Bobby Seale for Contempt).²³⁴⁵⁶

The lyrics suggested that large coverage of the Chicago Seven, as well as the "four dead in Ohio" - a reference to the Kent State shootings on 4 May 1970 - was because those involved were white: "nobody seems worried about all the black blood spilled" , and thus a Civil Rights message. The song ended with a guitar solo and police siren sound-effects in the background. The guitar was played by Peter Green.

Warner Bros. Records 7500 (NA19565)S, white "Promotion – not for sale" label; "Chicago Seven" (Memphis Slim), 3:49; WB Music Corp. – ASCAP; produced by Philippe Rault, arranged by Jerry Long; "From the Warner Bros. album WS 1899 'Blue Memphis'"; made in U.S.A. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: Anti-War Kent State Jackson State Civil Rights Chicago Seven Demonstration

Genres: ♪ BluesPiano BluesBoogie Woogie

Also in: ▤ 1968 Chicago Seven / Eight Songs▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Kent / Jackson State Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#49 Swan Mellarks Dr. Martin Luther King 1970 · Single · Dr. Martin Luther King / Hard Times (Are Here Again) · Valberst # TM 4739 · USA

Swan Mellarks, blues group based in Chicago, Illinois, released a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., following the assassination - thus from 1968, but there is no date on the record. In the song "Dr. Martin Luther King" (Valberst Records # TM 4739) the narrator noted the "interest he had in mankind" and that he had a "great dream...for America" . Of particular note is the reference to the Vietnam War, calling on people "to live together" , because "in the war they died together... in Vietnam they were dying" .

Note: on 4 April 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of his most controversial speeches, "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence" at Riverside Church in New York, in which he took a strong position against the war, opposing the policies of Lyndon B. Johnson. He shortly followed this up with the speech "Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam" , delivered at Ebenezar Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia, on 16 April 1967, featured on the 1970 record Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam. Released on Black Forum Records (# BF-451) - a spoken-word sub-label of Motown Records. In 1971 this posthumously won the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.

King's opposition to the Vietnam War can be traced back to 1965, although most of his public speeches on the issue took place in 1967 and 1968, when he took part in many anti-war demonstrations, which caused tension between King and President Johnson. He opposed the war on the grounds of Vietnamese freedom, looking at the history of occupation under the French and Japanese. He also focused on the destructiveness of war - both for the soldier and civilians.

Valberst Records, Chicago, Ill., TM-4739, green label; "Dr. Martin Luther King" (Thomas L.), 4:15, BMI; T. Little Prod.; arranged by T. Loveless and G. McCoy. [From the record sleeve and labels]

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Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights MLK Demonstration

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul Blues

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#50 Robert Pete Williams Vietnam Blues 1971 · Single · Goodbye Slim Harpo / Viet Nam Blues · Ahura Mazda # 45-AMS-101 · USA

Country Blues artist Robert Pete Williams, born on 14 March 1914 in Zachary, Louisiana, USA, and died on 31 December 1980 in Rosedale, Louisiana, USA. He recorded the song "Viet Nam Blues" (Ahura Mazda Records # 45-AMS-101) in 1970 in Maringouin, Louisiana. Sung in free style, it is difficult to understand the lyrics, but it is another blues protest song. It mentioned a lack of information about US activities in Vietnam, which could be used as an example of the "credibility gap" between what the government said and the actual progress of the conflict. The song also featured on the 1971 album Robert Pete Williams (Ahura # AMS 2002). Also note Williams released the war-related song "This Is a Mean Old World to Me" (1966) on the album Louisiana Blues (Takoma Records # B 1011).

Ahura Mazda 45-AMS-101 (PRP 27142), light blue label; "Vietnam Blues" (R. Williams), time 3:24, Pub.: Zora Delta Music – BMI; produced by Parker A. Dinkins; printed in U.S.A. The picture sleeve reads "Goodbye Slim Harpo by Robert Pete Williams / Viet Nam Blues (Side 'B')", © 1971 Ahura Mazda Records. It shows a photograph of Williams holding up an acoustic guitar beside a pen portrait of him, signed and dated '71. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Genres: ♪ BluesCountry BluesAcoustic Blues

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#51 Canned Heat & John Lee Hooker The World Today 1971 · Album · Hooker 'n Heat · United Artists # UAD 60157/8 · USA

Blues collaboration, between well-known and influential blues singer / songwriter John Lee Hooker, known for playing an Electric Blues style of the Delta Blues, born on 22 August 1917 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA (he died on 21 June 2001 in Los Altos, California, USA), and Blues Rock group Canned Heat, formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, USA. John Lee Hooker released a couple other Vietnam War songs, both in 1969 - the single "I Don't Want to Go to Vietnam" (Bluesway Records # 61023), and the song "I Gotta Go to Vietnam", although this only featured as a bonus track to the 1993 CD reissue of the 1968 album Urban Blues (MCA Records # MCAD-10760).

The song "The World Today" (United Artists Records # UAD 60157/8) looked at the so-called 'generation gap' of the times, "it's a brand new world today... old people, they're not hip to the modern days... leave the young kids alone" . The song notes conflict across the world, "world is in uproar... they're fightin' all over the world" , as well as tension at home, noting an era of demonstrations and protest, "they're fightnin' in every town, on campus... kind of fightin' for their rights" .

Show full lyrics (40 lines) ▾

Themes: Anti-War Generation Gap Demonstration Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#52 Robert Pete Williams Trouble Way Over in Vietnam 1971 · Compilation · President Johnson's Blues · Agram Blues # AB 2020 · Netherlands

This 2009 compilation (Agram Blues # AB 2020) by Guido Van Rijn, who has created a series of books and CDs about African-American blues and gospel songs about US Presidents (such as FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, LBJ, Nixon, Ford), included many songs about civil rights, but also 10 Vietnam War songs, including some rare releases, such as "Viet Nam" by Madame Nellie Robinson.¹ The notes of the CD booklet said that:

Theme: Anti-War

Genres: ♪ BluesCountry BluesAcoustic Blues

Also in: ▤ European Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#53 Murvell Johnson Viet Nam War 1971 · Single · You Got Me / Viet Nam War · Johnson # 45-101 · USA

Murvell Johnson, another obscure blues artist, whose biography is currently unknown, in addition to no known date of recording, release, or location, who released the blues song "Viet Nam War" (probably late 60s - early 70s). The narrator repeated a similar line throughout, "I've got a dream, the Vietnam War is gonna come to an end" , thus leaning towards the anti-war side, as well as maybe presenting the perspective of someone directly affected by the war, either as a soldier or related to a participant, with the personal line: "it will be so much better for the entire family" .

Johnson 45-101 (SH-1084), red label with "Love Me" printed at left, vocal; "Viet Nam War" (Murvell Johnson), BMI, 3:10. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Theme: Anti-War

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul Blues

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#54 Percy Mayfield Right on Young Americans 1972 · Single · Right on Young Americans / The Devil Made Me Do It · RCA Victor # 74-0650 · USA

Percy Mayfield, Electric Blues and Soul artist, born in Minden, Louisiana, USA (12 August 1920), and died in Los Angeles, California, USA (11 August 1984). The song "Right On Young Americans" (RCA Records # 74-0650) calls for respecting the views of the protesters and the younger generation, a nice reflection of the Vietnam-era generation gap: "talking to the students on campus... nobody want to listen to what they have to say" .

RCA 74-0650 (APKM-5705), "Plug – Mono – Not for Sale" promo; "Right On Young Americans" (Mayfield), from the "Blues - And Then Some" album, 2:50 with a :10 intro, fade ending, Bucrenlis Music, BMI; arranged and conducted by Bert De Coteaux; produced by Getto Kitty Prod. Inc. (cat logo on label). Yellow RCA label in an RCA rainbow-and-clouds company sleeve (© 1971 RCA Records). [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (15 lines) ▾

Themes: Anti-War Generation Gap

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#55 Champion Jack Dupree Vietnam Blues 1972 · Album · Legacy of the Blues, Vol. 3 · Sonet # SNTF 626 · UK

Champion Jack Dupree - born William Thomas Dupree (c.1910-1992) in New Orleans, he played blues piano in the boogie-woogie style, mainly based in Chicago, Illinois. He lived in London and worked in Europe through most of the 1960s. He sung about drugs, drink, and jail, as well as writing many political songs about US presidents (such as FDR, Truman and Kennedy) and the Civil Rights movement (including a composition about Martin Luther King). He recorded this album at Morgan Sound Studios, Willesden, Northwest London in 1971, and released in the UK in 1972 for Sonet (# SNTF 626). Released in the US in 1974 (GNP Crescendo Records # GNPS 10013).¹ The 2004 CD reissue ... (Verve Records) included an alternative take of the Vietnam song discussed below. The recordings featured Peter Curtley (guitar); Paul Rowan (harmonica); Hughie Flint (drums).

The song "Vietnam Blues" took an anti-war position. Dupree felt sympathy for "the people over in Vietnam" who suffered a "lot of pain" . He wanted the US government to "leave those poor people alone" and to "pull out and go home" . He believed that the war would "never end" and that the Vietnamese had a lot of friends: "the Chinese...the North Koreans, the Russians...and they got me too" . Dupress also sung about the pain felt by the mothers of US soldiers. It included a Civil Rights message, with a small line on the treatment of African-Americans in the US, saying that the Vietnamese had a problem "just like a got at home" - this coming from a man who left the US to live in Europe partly because of these issues.

The alternative version of the song, recorded during the same session as above, but not released until the 2004 CD re-issue, had some different interesting lyrics. Dupree called US action in Vietnam a "low down dirty shame" and that there "ain't no justice" . He warned the government that "you can't win every war" . Dupree also addressed the draft, saying that people "got no chance" , and would have to "dig" their "own grave" . He sung that "I'm so glad I was too old" to be drafted!

Show full lyrics (27 lines) ▾

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesPiano BluesBoogie Woogie

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ Draft Songs▤ European Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#56 Champion Jack Dupree Vietnam Blues (Alt. Take) 1972 · Album · Legacy of the Blues, Vol. 3 · Sonet # SNTF 626 · UK

Annotation: see “Vietnam Blues” above (same release).

Themes: Anti-War Civil Rights

Genres: ♪ BluesPiano BluesBoogie Woogie

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ European Songs▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#57 Freddie King Yonder Wall 1973 · Album · Woman Across the River · Shelter # SW-8910 · USA

Freddie King covered the track "Yonder Wall" (Shelter Records # SW-8910), updating it for the Vietnam War. James "Beale Street" Clark originally composed and recorded the song, under the name "Get Ready to Meet Your Man" in 1945, about soldiers returning to the US after World War Two. Elmore James recorded a famous version in 1962: "Look on Yonder Wall" . King narrated his version from the perspective of a disabled man unable to fight the war: "hand me down my walking cane" . He had started a relationship with a woman whose "man been in Vietnam" , but who had since returned home to the US. This idea is similar to the "jody" theme - a mythical man in blues and jazz tunes who seduced the wives and girlfriends of soldiers, prisoners, and those away from home. In this case, the narrator played the role of the "jody".

Themes: Home Front Perspective Jody

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric Texas Blues

Also in: ▤ US Domestic Perspective Songs [War Years]▤ Jody Songs

#58 Henry Johnson Join the Army 1973 · Album · The Union County Flash! · Trix # TRIX 3304 · USA

One of the more obscure musicians on this list, Henry "Rufe" Johnson, born and died in Union, South Carolina (08 December 1908 - February 1974), a Piedmont Blues guitar, harmonica, piano, and banjo player - a style of Country Blues developed in Appalachian foothills region, including the Carolinas. This album, recorded in November / December 1972, during the war years, featured the song "Join the Army" (Trix Records # 3304), with Johnson on vocal and guitar, and Peg Leg Sam on harmonica.¹ As the title describes, the narrator joins the army: "I went and joined the army". While gone, his partner left him: "thinking 'bout my baby... the girl hadn't been long left". He goes to visit his mother on his return from the army: "son, I didn't know I was gonna see you anymore". An intriguing line is when the narrator goes to catch the ship to go back to the USA and is advised to walk - is this a reference to racial discrimination?: "I went out to the ship... Uncle Sam he told me, boy, you'd do better walking the road".

Track A1. Henry Johnson guitar and vocals (Peg Leg Sam harmonica credited only on A3 and B4 per Discogs, not on Join The Army). Recorded in Union, S.C., 10 Nov 1972 (A1). Producers Pete Lowry and Henry Johnson; engineer Pete Lowry; mastered by Ray Hagerty; cover photo Jim O'Neal; design Raoul Vezina; sleeve notes Pete Lowry. Published by Baby Tate Music Co. (BMI). Matrix TRIX 3304A / TRIX 3304B (etched). A 1993 CD reissue (TRIX 3304) also exists on Discogs.

Theme: Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesCountry Blues

#59 James Armstrong Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black 1973 · Single · Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black / Big Four · CMC # CM-1013-1015 · USA

The song "Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black" (CMC # CM-1015) was a fascinating track that combined the issues of race / Civil Rights and Vietnam. Sung by an African-American bluesy / soul artist, James Armstrong, the track defended Calley - "we are fighting here to kill or be killed" - and the narrator suggested that if Calley was black then his situation could be a lot worse than just house arrest - so this is also a reflection of 1960s / 70s race relations, as well as a Vietnam War song.

CMC CM-1015, teal label, 1119 E. Broadway, West Memphis, Ark.; "'Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black'" (Clide Fleming), E and M Publishing Co., BMI, time 2:43; arranged by Truitt & Porter, produced by Craft. [From the record sleeve and labels] Split single: A 'Big Four' by Sonny Blake (CM-1013), B 'Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black' by James Armstrong (CM-1015).

B-side arranged by David Porter and Paul Truitt. Producer Craft (Dan Craft). Published by E. & M. Publishers (BMI). A white-label variant exists (Discogs 11066939).

Themes: My Lai Patriotic Civil Rights Pro-Calley Pro-Soldier

Genres: ♪ BluesSoul

Also in: ▤ Civil Rights Songs▤ My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs▤ Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs▤ US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]

#60 Merry Airbrakes Draft Board Blues 1973 · Album · Merry Airbrakes · St. George International # ST 06 · USA

Various artist compilation, featuring Jimmy Anderson, blues artist born on 21 November 1934 in Natchez, Mississippi, USA. He moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the 50s and recorded in the region, including the song "Draft Board Blues" (Flyright Records # FLY 607), recorded 1962 in the pre-Vietnam War years under JFK, but unreleased at the time, appearing on this compilation.¹ The narrator notes receiving the draft call for a "trip across the world" . He was "not gonna like it, cause I miss you" . Apparently the board gave him a choice, "the land, sea or the air" .

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Draft

Genres: ♪ RockHard Rock

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs▤ US Military & Veteran Songs

#61 Johnny Shines Blood Ran Like Wine 1974 · Album · Johnny Shines and Company · Biograph # BLP-12048 · USA

Johnny Shines, American Delta blues guitar player from Memphis, Tennessee, who specialised in slide guitar, toured with Robert Johnson in the 1930s and had the odd recording session in 1940s Chicago, although nothing was released at the time. But with the revival of folk and blues in the 1960s, Johnny Shines recorded some material. In 1966 he released the Vietnam War song "So Cold in Vietnam" (Testament Records # T-2212), narrated from the perspective of a soldier, who missed his sweetheart. In 1974 he released the track "Blood Ran Like Wine" (Biograph Records # BLP-12048), in which he sung about a man in a difficult position, in the first person: "standing in water...walking in the blood" . It was then revealed that the narrator was fighting in a war: "no use in screaming and crying...in Vietnam" .

Genres: ♪ BluesDelta BluesAcoustic Blues

#62 Pernell Charity War Blues 1975 · Album · The Virginian · Trix # TRIX 3309 · USA

Obscure blues artist, Pernell Charity, born 20 November 1920 in Waverley, Virginia, USA. He died on 12 April 1979. He recorded this album, featuring the song "War Blues" (Trix Records # 3309) in October & November 1972 in Waverly, Virginia.¹² It later appeared on the 1982 various artist compilation Virginia Traditions: Tidewater Blues (Blue Ridge Institute # BRI 006). The narrator describes receiving the draft card, or as often referred to song in the blues genre: "I got my questionnaire... I got to go to war". In this case the protagonist "don't mind being drafted", however he is worried to "leave these girls behind". Also of note, the narrator says he will put a "black cat bone way down in my shoe" - which is a hoodoo lucky charm.³

Track A2. Pernell Charity vocals and guitar. Recorded in Waverly, Virginia, 25 Oct 1972 (A2, per Discogs). Producers Pernell Charity, Kip Lornell, Pete Lowry; recorded and mixed by Pete Lowry; mastered by Ray Hagerty; liner notes Kip Lornell. Matrix TRIX 3309 A / TRIX 3309 B (etched). Lornell notes say Charity wrote War Blues himself and it evokes Sonny Boy Williamson's WWII-era recordings. 1995 CD reissue also on Discogs (6704633).

Show full lyrics (17 lines) ▾

Themes: Draft Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesCountry Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#63 Treves Blues Band Vietnam Blues 1976 · Album · Treves Blues Band · Red # VPA 112 · Italy

Treves Blues Band - formed in 1974, in Milan, Italy, The song "Vietnam Blues" (Red Records # VPA 112) is a cover / re-working of the Champion Jack Dupree song, discussed above.

Recorded October 1976. Distributed by Editoriale Sciascia s.a.s., Rozzano (Milano). Lineup: Fabio Treves (lead vocals, harmonica), Lino 'Fats' Gallo (guitar), Walter Cazzaghi (bass), Piero Papotti (drums), Vittore Andreotti (piano), Dario Guidotti, Gerry De Sario, Tito Branca (saxes/flutes).

Liner notes Fabio Santini. A second 1976 Italian pressing exists (release 38068152). A cover/re-working of Champion Jack Dupree's Vietnam Blues, recorded October 1976 for Red Records.

Cover of Vietnam Blues – Champion Jack Dupree.

Themes: Anti-War Vietnamese Perspective Civilian Casualties

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric Blues

Also in: ▤ European Songs

#64 Charlie Sayles Vietnam 1976 · Album · The Raw Harmonica Blues of Charlie Sayles · Dusty Road # LP 701 · USA

Charlie Sayles, from Massachusetts, played harmonica in the Chicago Blues style. He served in Vietnam for two years - 1969 to 1971, in the 101st Airborne, 326 Company. He said that "every month in Vietnam you would see three actions...One would be pretty hairy, another would be terrifying and another would totally blow your mind. After two years of that I couldn't deal with America when I got home. Violence became natural to me".¹ In the song "Vietnam" (Dusty Road # LP701) he recalled the loneliness and hell of war, while referring to back home in the city as "going to another Vietnam."

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Military

Genres: ♪ BluesChicago Blues

Also in: ▤ US Military & Veteran Songs

#65 Wanda Lee College Town Needle Blues 1976 · Single · Boonville Pinto Pony / College Town Needle Blues · Oliver # 50 · USA

Post-war 70s blues song, "College Town Needle Blues" by Wanda Lee - this is very obscure, with no information known about the artist and location, only the date printed on the record, "1976". It seems to be about a drug addicted soldier or the narrator is using war as a metaphor for drug addiction. The narrator notes "some have died to win the war, but I've lived to lose" , because of a "self inflicted glory hole in my arm" . The narrator warns: "soldiers take heed" .

Oliver Records 50 B (ARP 2822), side 2, stereo, orange label; "College Town Needle Blues" (Wanda Lee), 2:38; ℗ Wanda Lee 1976. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (35 lines) ▾

Theme: Drugs

Genre: ♪ Blues

#66 James 'Guitar Slim' Stephens War Service Blues 1978 · Archival · Greensboro Rounder · Flyright # FLY LP 538 · USA

Blues artist James 'Guitar Slim' Stephens, born on 10 March 1915 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA, he died on 10 February 1991 in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. He recorded the song "War Service Blues" (Flyright Records # FLY 538) on 02 March 1975 in Greensboro, NC, with Stephens on guitar and vocals.¹ Narrated from the perspective of a soldier drafted to war: "I'm in Class A...ain't gonna turn me down" - presumably a reference to the draft classification "1-A" - "eligible for military service", established in 1971 (under the Military Selective Service Act of 1967). The narrator laments "I might be blind, cripple and lame... this was keeps raging, I'm gonna soon be dead and gone". The song also looked at the home front / domestic impact: "mother's down on her knees praying for her child to return".

Track A3. Artist credited as Guitar Slim on Discogs. Stephens plays piano on this track (Discogs per-track credit; YouTube upload description: 'rec. March 2, 1975 by Kip Lornell; James Guitar Slim Stephens, voc, piano', Greensboro, NC). Liner notes Kip Lornell; remastered by Ron Geesin; design W. & M. Etherington; printed by Senol Printing Ltd. Matrix FLY LP 538 A-1 / B-1. UK release. YouTube upload runs 6:48 (no label duration).

Show full lyrics (17 lines) ▾

Themes: Draft Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesPiano BluesBoogie Woogie

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#67 The Robert Cray Band Sonny 1985 · Album · False Accusations · Demon # FIEND 43 · USA

Blues Rock group, The Robert Cray Band, formed in 1974 in Eugene, Oregon, USA, led by Robert Cray, born on 1 August 1953 in Columbus, Georgia, USA. The post-war song "Sonny" (Hightone Records # HT 8005) picked up on the Jody theme discussed above - the term "Jody" originated from "Joe the Grinder" (dated c.1939) - a mythical man in blues and jazz tunes who seduced the wives and girlfriends of soldiers, prisoners, and those away from home. The narrator recalled his best friend Sony, "he got called to Vietnam" . He asked his friend to look out for his wife, but "we both lost our heads" and ended up in "her lonely, lonely bed" . Sonny returned, "proud of what he's done" , but injured, "he can't walk too good" . The narrator felt regret, "I'm so ashamed of what I've done" .

Show full lyrics (17 lines) ▾

Themes: Vet Jody

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric BluesSoul Blues

Also in: ▤ Jody Songs

#68 Jimmy Anderson Draft Board Blues 1985 · Archival · Baton Rouge Blues (The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Vol. 42) · Flyright # FLY 607 · UK

Recorded 1962 (Jay Miller sessions); first issued on Flyright FLY 607 (UK, 1985, mono LP, side A track 3; sleeve notes by Bruce Bastin). Jimmy Anderson's singles of the period were on Excello and Zynn.

Theme: Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesSwamp Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#69 The Iott & Price Band Vietnam 1987 · Single · Vietnam / Have You Heard · RIP # 101 · USA

Vietnam (Iott & Price Band, The)

Post-war 80s

RIP Records RIP 101, silver label with tombstone logo, Lansing, MI, (517) 882-7010; Side A, stereo, 45 RPM, ℗ 1987; "Vietnam" (M. Iott – B. Price), Mike Iott BMI, Bill Price BMI, time 4:00; produced by C. Leveque; credited on the label as "The Iott - Price Band".

The front of the picture sleeve shows a photograph of soldiers shaking hands over barbed wire.

The back has a collage of service photographs and press cuttings on Dr. Tom Dooley and on Pfc. Daniel John Blomfelt, killed in Quang Tri Province in May 1968 ("'I'd die for this flag'"), with "Pictures by: Sigred Cichy". There is a handwritten dedication "To Renée, Good Luck in Life!!" in pen. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: LBJ Soldier's Perspective Purple Heart Medals Patriotic

Genres: ♪ BluesPopAcoustic Blues

#70 Sleepy John Estes Blind Man in the Tear Gas 1990 · Compilation · Delta Experimental Projects Compilation Vol 1 The Blues / Vol 2 Spring Poems · Fan Club # FC 064 CD · USA

Various artist compilation, featuring the prominent and highly regarded Sleepy John Estes, known for Country Blues / Delta Blues music, born 25 January 1899 in Ripley, Tennessee, USA, and died 5 June 1977 in Brownsville, Tennessee, USA. The compilation featured the song "Blind Man in the Tear Gas" (New Rose Records # FC 064 CD - NR 761), recorded in 1972 in Collierville, Tennessee, featuring Sleepy John Estes on vocal and guitar, James Luther Dickinson on piano, and Ry Cooder on mandolin¹ According to blues historian Guido Van Rijn, in his book "Nixon and Ford Blues", this track was written about protest demonstrations: "I first got to Washington... tear gas all in my eyes". Note the reference to then President Richard Nixon: "I heard Mr. Nixon spoke... every man or woman... ought to fight for his own rights".

On the various-artists compilation; track 11. Track 11 (Vol. 1: The Blues). Ry Cooder mandolin, East Memphis Slim piano (Discogs). Distributed by New Rose; price code NR 761; barcode 3 347120 022817; pressed by MPO; made in France. Compiled and recorded by Jim Dickinson. Compiles Vol. 1 (LP Fan Club FC 044, 1988) and Vol. 2 (LP FC 064, 1990). Discogs notes do not give a recording place for track 11.

Themes: Protest City & Community Violence

Genres: ♪ BluesCountry Blues

Also in: ▤ Richard Nixon & Watergate Songs

#71 Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup This War Is Awful 1994 · Album · Meets the Master Blues Bassists · Delmark # DD-621 · USA

Delta Blues and Electric Blues artist, born on 24 August 1905 in Forest, Mississippi, USA, he died on 28 March 1974 in Nassawadox, Virginia, USA. This 1994 album was a reissue of the 1970 Crudup's Mood, which contained the previously unreleased "This War Is Awful" (Delmark Records # DD-621), recorded on 10 November 1969 in Chicago, Illinois, with Arthur Crudup on vocals and guitar, and Ransom Knowling on bass.¹ Recorded during the Vietnam War-era, it's in fact a re-recorded version of his World War Two song, "Cool Disposition" (Bluebird Records # 34-0738), released on single in 1945. It's narrated from the perspective of a man off to war, contemplating being divided from his partner: "this war is awful... cause me and my baby... to live in the world alone". At the end of the song, the narrator fears that his partner has left him, "I wanna kill me somebody, believe my baby's got another man". Note: Crudup also released the song "Questionnaire Blues", recorded in 1967, and released in 1968 on the album Look on Yonder's Wall (Delmark Records # DS-614), about the draft.

Track 4, previously unissued. Crudup vocals and guitar, Ransom Knowling bass; recorded 10 Nov 1969 (Knowling session) at Stereosonic Studios. Adapted from 'Crudup's Mood', Delmark LP 621. Producer/liner notes Robert G. Koester; recorded by Bill Cody and Stu Welder; design Kate Hoddinott. Glass mastered by Nimbus; barcode 0 38153-0621-2 5; SPARS AAD.

Theme: Anti-War

Genres: ♪ BluesDelta BluesElectric Blues

#72 Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters Welcome Home (Dedicated to All the Vietnam Veterans) 1996 · Album · Grateful Heart: Blues & Ballads · Bullseye Blues # BB 9565 · USA

The song "Welcome Home (Dedicated to All the Vietnam Veterans)" (Bullseye Blues # BB 9565) by Ronnie Earl, born 10 March 1953 in New York, USA.

Track 6, instrumental. Written by R. Earl (credit from Europe CD, Discogs 10264518). Recorded at Blue Jay Studio, Carlisle, June 1995; producer Neal Ward; mastered by Jonathan Wyner at M Works. Musicians: Ronnie Earl guitar, Bruce Katz piano/organ, Rod Carey bass, Per Hanson drums, David 'Fathead' Newman tenor sax (tracks 2, 3, 6-9). (P) Rounder Records Corp. Barcode 011661956520.

Themes: Vet Coming Home

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric Blues

#73 Billy Boy Arnold We All Got to Go 1998 · Compilation · Down Home Harp · Testament # TCD 6011 · USA

1988 various artist compilation, featuring Chicago Blues artist Billy Boy Arnold, born on 16 September 1935 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, with the song "We All Got to Go" (Testament Records # TCD 6011), recorded in 1962 in the pre-Gulf of Tonkin period, but unreleased at the time, about going off to war: "Uncle Sam wanna use you a while". The narrator looked forward to the military uniform, "so you can be in style". It contained a reference to social-economic inequalities, and possibly, related to racist discrimination, with the narrator confronted by "a man with a crown, high class". Also of note is the narrator's excitement to fly a plane: "I got to fly one of them bomber planes" - Africa-American plane and helicopter pilots in the Vietnam War-era was rare, facing significant discrimination barriers.

On the various-artists compilation; track 2. Track 2. Billy Boy Arnold vocals and harmonica, Blind John Davis piano. Written by S.B. Williamson. Recorded in Chicago (Discogs notes: Chicago sessions 1962-1967); producer/recorded by Pete Welding; liner notes Frank Scott; mastered by Bob Stone. Manufactured and marketed by HMG/HighTone. All tracks previously unissued except track 3. Barcode 0 129286011-2 2.

Themes: Draft Soldier's Perspective

Genres: ♪ BluesChicago BluesHarmonica Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#74 Ronnie Earl & Irma Thomas New Vietnam Blues 2001 · Album · Ronnie Earl & Friends · Telarc Blues # CD-83537 · USA

The song "New Vietnam Blues" (Telarc # CD-83537) by Ronnie Earl, born 10 March 1953 in New York, USA, and 60s/70s southern soul vocalist Irma Thomas, born 18 February 1941 in Ponchatoula, Louisianna, USA. The song reflected on the feelings of Vietnam veterans 30 years or so after the war, noting that they were not honoured when they returned to the US: "when he came home he wasn't honoured" , and so "all you Vietnam Vets...I want to thank you" .

Genres: ♪ BluesElectric BluesSoul Blues

#75 Cassandra Wilson Vietnam Blues 2003 · Unreleased · The Blues: A Musical Journey · Hip-O # B0000393-02 · USA

For the Martin Scorsese produced series of the blues genre, Cassandra Wilson did a cover of J.B. Lenoir's "Vietnam Blues" (Columbia / Legacy # 512636 2). It also appeared on the soundtrack Soul of a Man (Columbia / Legacy # 512570 2) and in the film The Soul of a Man.

Also issued on Columbia / Legacy (512636 2), and on the soundtrack The Soul of a Man (Columbia / Legacy 512570 2).

Theme: Anti-War

Genres: ♪ BluesBlues Jazz

#76 Abner Jay Vietnam 2005 · Album · Terrible Comedy Blues · Poison Apple # 3420 · USA

The song "Vietnam" (Poison Apple Records # 3420) by Abner Jay, released in 1968, told the story of a young man drafted to fight the "terrible" war in Vietnam. Jay famously played the "bones" - a musical style that involved playing percussive rhythms using dried out cow and chicken bones.¹ Featured on the 2003 compilation One Man Band (Subliminal Sounds # SUBCD-7).

Also on the compilation One Man Band (Subliminal Sounds SUBCD-7, 2003).

Themes: Soldier's Perspective Draft

Genres: ♪ BluesCountry Blues

Also in: ▤ Draft Songs

#78 Backsliders Vietnam People 2007 · Album · Left Field Holler · Shock # BS6 · Australia

Blues group formed in 1988 in Sydney, NSW, Australia, with a revolving line-up, but led throughout by Dom Turner. Featured on this album was the song "Vietnam People" , which in typical blues style, repeated each line of the lyrics, below. It paid tribute to the Vietnamese people, who for "a thousand years" have been "fighting for their rights" .

Tribute to the Vietnamese people; Dom Turner plays the Vietnamese dan nguyet on the album.

Themes: Vietnamese Patriotic Haiphong Education

Genre: ♪ Blues

Also in: ▤ Australian & New Zealand Songs

#80 Sugar Blue Stop the War 2010 · Album · Threshold · Beeble # BB802 · USA

Blues artist, born James Whiting, on 16 December 1949 in New York, USA. The song "Stop the War" (Beeble Music # BB802), released in 2010, is an anti-war track, not specifically mentioning a conflict, although the artist served in the Vietnam War (1970-73), so a Vietnam veteran's interpretation.¹ The first line states his view, "they call it war, I call it murder". It focuses on hypocrisy, "in the name of freedom, to protect we must destroy". It notes the weapons have changed through history, but it's still war, "from the arrow to the uzi, mechanized insanity".

Track 4. Digipak; recorded at Rax Trax Studios, Chicago, IL; licensed to Beeble Music. Barcode 884501218641. Musicians: Sugar Blue vocals, Rico McFarland and Sergio Montaleni guitar, Ilaria Lantieri and Jesse Cross bass, James Knowles drums, Damiano Della Torre accordion/keyboards.

Show full lyrics (16 lines) ▾

Themes: Anti-War Vet

Genres: ♪ BluesChicago Blues

Also in: ▤ US Military & Veteran Songs

#82 Flora Molton The Sun Will Shine in Vietnam Single · The Sun Will Shine in Vietnam / I Heard It Through the True Vine · Molton # 2 · USA

Credited on the record as Flora Molton accompanied by Ed Morris.

Flora Molton, born in Louisa County, Virginia in 1908, started out as a gospel singer, as well as preaching (following in the footsteps of her father). Partly blind from birth, she moved to Washington D.C. in the 1930s, switching to guitar in 1943. She spent most of the 1940s and 1950s playing country blues on street corners in D.C. Molton used an "Open D" ("Vastepol") tuning, and thus a basic guitar style, serving mainly as a background to her vocals. She used a metal ring, sliding it across the strings, to create a moaning sound. In the 1960s blues and folk revival Molton started to appear in coffee house, clubs, and festivals, and cut a couple 45s on her own label.¹ Released in the early 1970s, the song "The Sun Will Shine in Vietnam" (Molton's Records # 0002) took an anti-war stance. Molton looked to the future, when the war would be over. But criticised the politicians for failing to bring peace, claiming that "the devil likes this condition" . It contained other religious references, such as "thou shall not kill" and that the "lord he is not pleased" . Interestingly, the lyrics also made a social-economic point, saying that the "blood spilled by the poor" was unfair, while the "rich man make the profit" .

Molton's Record, Record No. 0002, 463 Neal Street, NW, Wash. D.C.; "The Sun Will Shine in Vietnam" by Flora Molton accompanied by Ed Morris, 2:27, Lomton Music, BMI; "A Molton Production", produced by Kemp Brown. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes: Anti-War Soldier's Perspective Religion

Genres: ♪ BluesCountry Blues

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#83 Myrtis Hardeman Speak to Vietnam Single · Speak to Vietnam / Mercy on Saigon · NRC # 45-007 · USA

Described on the single as "The Blind Gospel Singer", released in Georgia, Atlanta, USA - otherwise nothing else is know about this artist - in fact, even the description is not entirely accurate, as it's Blues more than Gospel. Both sides of course are related to the Vietnam War, containing anti-war and religious sentiment. There is no date on the record in terms of its release, but there is a clue with regards to when it was written or even recorded. Firstly, it mentions the US president as being Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ). Secondly, the lyrics reference a "Senator brother Kennedy... running for president" - presumable Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), who served as a US senator for New York from 1965-1968, up to the date of his assassination on 06 June '68. He officially entered the race for the Democratic presidential primary nomination on 16 March, shortly before LBJ dropped out of the race on 31 March '68. But, there were rumours of RFK entering the race before March, so people may have thought he was running before then. In any case, we can assume this song is from around this period.

The song "Speak to Vietnam" (National Recording Corporation # 45-007) is addressed to the narrator's god: "lord bring peace over in Vietnam" . It focuses on the human suffering: "bombing people, shooting... innocent woman" . The song makes note of US president LBJ, as wanting to end the war: "well President Johnson said... bring peace over in Vietnam" . As discussed above, the narrator references RFK. He ran on a strong anti-Vietnam War platform during the Democratic presidential primary nomination race: "oh senator, brother Kennedy, he tried to stop the war" . Also of interest, is the reference to the atomic bomb: "if they drop the atom bomb there won't be anything left" .

NRC 740 / 45-007, blue label headed "Myrtis Hardeman, 169 Elm St. Apt. 47, Atlanta, Georgia"; side 1 "Speak to Vietnam", side 2 "Mercy on Saigon", both credited to The Blind Gospel Singer; arranged by Walter Howard; produced by Harrison E. Smith. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (18 lines) ▾

Themes: Peace Anti-War Religion Soldier's Perspective LBJ JFK

Genres: ♪ BluesGospel

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]

#84 Myrtis Hardeman Mercy on Saigon Single · Speak to Vietnam / Mercy on Saigon · NRC # 45-007 · USA

Credited on the record as Myrtis Hardeman, The Blind Gospel Singer.

Described on the single as "The Blind Gospel Singer", released in Georgia, Atlanta, USA - otherwise nothing else is know about this artist - in fact, even the description is not entirely accurate, as it's Blues more than Gospel. Both sides of course are related to the Vietnam War, containing anti-war and religious sentiment. There is no date on the record in terms of its release, but there is a clue with regards to when it was written or even recorded. Firstly, it mentions the US president as being Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ). Secondly, the lyrics reference a "Senator brother Kennedy... running for president" - presumable Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), who served as a US senator for New York from 1965-1968, up to the date of his assassination on 06 June '68. He officially entered the race for the Democratic presidential primary nomination on 16 March, shortly before LBJ dropped out of the race on 31 March '68. But, there were rumours of RFK entering the race before March, so people may have thought he was running before then. In any case, we can assume this song is from around this period.

The song "Mercy on Saigon" also has a focus on the human suffering: "men, woman, and children, they're screaming and crying" , supporting an end to the war. Although, it contains a strange interpretation of the peace negotiations, calling on the North to surrender to the US: "why don't they surrender and obey, why can't they agree with what the president says" . With regards to LBJ, it present him as seeking peace: "Johnson...working for peace" , similar to the narrator's view on RFK: "Senator brother Kennedy... working for peace all over the land... he's the poor man's friend" . Also of note is the attention paid to medical workers, helping wounded and disabled soldiers: "doctors and nurses doing all they can...some don't have any legs..." .

NRC 740 / 45-007, blue label headed "Myrtis Hardeman, 169 Elm St. Apt. 47, Atlanta, Georgia"; side 1 "Speak to Vietnam", side 2 "Mercy on Saigon", both credited to The Blind Gospel Singer; arranged by Walter Howard; produced by Harrison E. Smith. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Show full lyrics (27 lines) ▾

Themes: Patriotic Peace Religion LBJ JFK Medic

Genres: ♪ BluesGospel

Also in: ▤ Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]▤ US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]