Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs

320 songs · chronological · Annotations and notes by Justin A. Brummer

A collection of soul, doo-wop, R&B, gospel, and funk songs that reference the Vietnam War This forms part of the larger Vietnam War Song Project, an interpretive examination of over 6,000 Vietnam War songs identified, revealing how the war's significance is represented through music. The project also collects spoken-word recordings about the conflict. This unique collection of voices advances scholarship by providing insights into people’s views about the war over time as represented in music, looking at diverse communities and vibrant music scenes. It is crucial in developing our knowledge of the war and the humanities, through the use of a digital research platform.

  1. Sherwoods – Uncle Sam (1963)
  2. The Emotions – Going on Strike (1969)
  3. Freddie Scott – Johnny's Hill (1969)
  4. Skip Jackson – Promise That You'll Wait (1969)
  5. Frank & Vivian – Over Here, Over There (1969)
  6. Matt Jones – Hell No, I Aint Gonna Go! (1970)
  7. Coast – Why (A Peace Medley) (1970)
  8. Johnnie Taylor – I Could Never Be President (1970)
  9. The Chymes – My Baby's Gone Away (1970)
  10. Donald Jenkins – Fighting for My Baby (1970)
  11. Larry Saunders – Where Did the Peace Go (1970)
  12. Joe Bataan – Cry (1970)
  13. Jimmy Ellis – Happy To Be (The Man You Like To See) (1970)
  14. Mel & Tim – Mail Call Time (1970)
  15. Melverine Thomas – A Letter From My Son (1970)
  16. William Bell – Lonely Soldier (1970)
  17. Helen Curry – Prayer for My Soldier (1970)
  18. Lynn Coleman – Viet Nam Diary (1970)
  19. Dr. William Truly, Jr. – (The Two Wars Of) Old Black Joe (1970)
  20. Rev. Oris Mays – Another Christmas Without My Son (1970)
  21. Romona Jones – (We Break) The Rules Made for Man (1970)
  22. Freda Payne – Bring the Boys Home (1971)
  23. Change of Pace – Bring My Buddies Back (1971)
  24. Roy C. – Open Letter to the President (1971)
  25. Chairmen of the Board – Men Are Getting Scarce (1971)
  26. The Isley Brothers – Ohio - Machine Gun (1971)
  27. Marvin Gaye – What's Happening Brother (1971)
  28. Marvin Gaye – What's Going On (1971)
  29. Swamp Dogg – Do You Believe (1971)
  30. Swamp Dogg – God Bless America for What (1971)
  31. Swamp Dogg – Remember I Said Tomorrow (1971)
  32. Jackie Ross – Doctor Slap's Man Is Born (1971)
  33. Delia Gartrell – See What You Done Done (Hymn No. 9) (1971)
  34. Gloria Edwards – Something You Couldn't Write About (1971)
  35. Bobby Powell – Peace Begins Within (1971)
  36. Sonny Green – Jody's on the Run (1971)
  37. Bobby Patterson – Right On Jody (1971)
  38. The Gospelettes – Tribute in Prayer (1971)
  39. The Dynamic Hughes Gospel Singers – Viet Nam (1971)
  40. Count Rockin' Sidney – Bury the Hatchet (1971)
  41. Mother of Three – Lieutenant (Had Any Lately?) (1971)
  42. Ann Sexton – You've Been Gone Too Long (1971)
  43. Curtis Mayfield – We Got to Have Peace (1972)
  44. The O'Jays – Peace (1972)
  45. The Impressions – Stop the War (1972)
  46. Lou Rawls – The Politician (1972)
  47. Ernie Hines – Our Generation (1972)
  48. Parliament – Come in Out of the Rain (1972)
  49. Gil Scott-Heron – Did You Hear What They Said? (1972)
  50. Barbara Stant – That Man of Mine (1972)
  51. Charles Smith and Jeff Cooper – Glad to Be Home (1972)
  52. Winfield Parker – Starvin' (1972)
  53. Bobby Newsome – Jody, Come Back and Get Your Shoes (1972)
  54. Joe Quarterman and Free Soul – (I Got) So Much Trouble in My Mind (Parts 1 & 2) (1972)
  55. Joe Quarterman and Free Soul – (I Got) So Much Trouble in My Mind Pt. 2 (1972)
  56. Terry Callier – Ho Tsing Mee (A Song in the Sun) (1972)
  57. Swamp Dogg – Sam Stone (1972)
  58. Marvin Gaye – I Want to Come Home for Christmas (1972)
  59. Curtis Mayfield – Back to the World (1973)
  60. Curtis Mayfield – Back to the World (1973)
  61. Bill Moss & The Celestials – Welcome the Boys Back Home (1973)
  62. The Nu Page – When the Brothers Come Marching Home (Mono) (1973)
  63. Auditions – Returning Home From Vietnam (1973)
  64. Sammy Brown – Vietnam (You Son of a Gun) (1973)
  65. Sammy Brown – Vietnam (Instrumental) (1973)
  66. Sonny Blake – Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black (1973)
  67. The Whispers – P.O.W - M.I.A. (1973)
  68. The Bitter & the Sweet – P.O.W. (1973)
  69. Funkadelic – March to the Witch's Castle (1973)
  70. Leo Price – I've Been a Prisoner (1973)
  71. Bill Withers – I Can't Write Left Handed (1973)
  72. Jon Lucien – The War Song (1973)
  73. Wayne Spence & Smiling Faces – Thank God for Peace (1973)
  74. Wayne Spence & Smiling Faces – Love's Stronger Than Hate (1973)
  75. The Sensational Saints – War Is Over (My Brother) (1973)
  76. J.P. Robinson – Our Day Is Here (1974)
  77. Stu Gardner – Leave Him Alone (1974)
  78. Carla Whitney – War (1975)
  79. James Carr – Let's Face Facts (1977)
  80. Gil Scott-Heron – Waiting for the Axe to Fall (1980)
  81. Funkadelic – The Electric Spanking of War Babies (1981)
  82. Stevie Wonder – Front Line (1983)
  83. Blue Grass – P.O.W. - Part I & Part II
  84. Blue Grass – P.O.W. - Part II
  85. Cleve Francis – Reflections on the Wall
  86. Patricia Denson & the Soul Expressions – Home From Vietnam
  87. Al Grannum – Why Is It?
  88. Al Grannum – When I Come Home
  89. Buelah Palmer – My Man in Vietnam
  90. Henry Scott Jr. – Bye, Bye, Baby, Hello Vietnam
  91. Timmy Norman – I'm Coming Home
  92. Vicki Williams – You're in the Army, But I Wish You Were Here
  93. George Jay – Greetings - This Is Uncle Sam
  94. Daz René – Back Street
  95. Daz René – Letter From My Darling
  96. Phil Barr – His Homework's Done (Give Your Son a Gun)
  97. Various Artists – Soul of Vietnam (1993)
  98. Various Artists – A Soldier's Sad Story: Vietnam Through the Eyes of Black America 1966-73 (2003)
  99. Various Artists – A Soldier's Plea (2004)
  100. Various Artists – Does Anybody Know I'm Here? Vietnam Through the Eyes of Black America 1962-1972 (2005)
  101. Jerry Butler – Lonely Soldier Boy (1960)
  102. The Orlons – I'll Be True (1961)
  103. The Creators – Drafted, Volunteered and Enlisted (1961)
  104. The Viceroys – Uncle Sam Needs You (1961)
  105. Mickey Woods – Please Mr. Kennedy (1962)
  106. Valli – Hurry Home to Me (Soldier Boy) (1962)
  107. The Soldier Boys – I'm Your Soldier Boy (1962)
  108. Elena Marie – Soldier Boy (1962)
  109. Little Bernie and the Cavaliers – Lonely Soldier (1962)
  110. The Shondells – Don't Cry My Soldier Boy (1962)
  111. The Illusions – Lonely Soldier (1962)
  112. The Carmel Sisters – Joey's Comin' Home (1963)
  113. Bobby John – Lonely Soldier (1963)
  114. The Blue Belles – When Johnny Comes Marching Home (1963)
  115. The Charmaines – G.I. Joe (1963)
  116. Robert Portee – I Am So Proud (1963)
  117. Sherry Jenkins – Hey, Little Soldier (1964)
  118. The Chiffons – Sailor Boy (1964)
  119. Carole Coby – My Soldier Boy (1965)
  120. Little Brenda Duff – Army's Got Me Crying (1965)
  121. The Emotions – Do This for Me (1965)
  122. Othello Robertson – Come on Home (1965)
  123. The Rouzan Sisters – Men of War (1965)
  124. Wanda Rouzan – Here's a Letter From Home (1966)
  125. Don Hart – Soldier Comin Home (1966)
  126. The Shangri-Las – Long Live Our Love (1966)
  127. The Chantels – Soul of a Soldier (1966)
  128. Hugh Barrett – Another Lonely Soldier Boy (1966)
  129. Gary and The Knight Lites – Lonely Soldier's Pledge (1966)
  130. Gary and The Knight Lites – So Far Away From Home (1966)
  131. Ronnie Wallis – Sailor Boy (1966)
  132. The Fantaisions – G.I. Joe, We Love You (1966)
  133. The Lovers – Do This for Me (1966)
  134. The Starfires – Lonely Soldier (1966)
  135. Don Bryant – The Lonely Soldier (1966)
  136. Joe (Wild Thing) King – Hold Out (1966)
  137. Joe (Wild Thing) King – On My Way Home (1966)
  138. Hy Tyde – A Message to the Soldiers (1966)
  139. The Cheques – Thousand Miles Away (1966)
  140. The Martin Sisters – Only Seventeen (1966)
  141. Joe Medwick – Letter to a Buddie (1967)
  142. Capt. Jesse Fountain – I'm Marchin' (1967)
  143. Robert Hodge – When the War Is Over (1967)
  144. The Southerners – This World (1967)
  145. Billy Joe Young – Little Tin Soldier (1967)
  146. Jimmy Castor – Leroy Is in the Army (1967)
  147. Dionne Warwick – I Say a Little Prayer (1967)
  148. Dionne Warwick – Windows of the World (1967)
  149. Gordon Keith – This Is How I Feel (1967)
  150. Freddie Roach – Johnny's Comin' Home No More (1967)
  151. R. B. – Send Your Boy a Letter (1967)
  152. The Staple Singers – For What It's Worth (1967)
  153. The Shangri-Las – Take the Time (1967)
  154. The Staple Singers – Pray On (1967)
  155. Aretha Franklin – I Say a Little Prayer (1968)
  156. Jo Ann Garrett – That Little Brown Letter (1968)
  157. The Linneas – My Baby Comes Homes Today (1968)
  158. The Intentions – Don't Forget That I Love You (1968)
  159. Chiquita – Oh Happy Day (1968)
  160. The Opportunity Please Knock Chorus – I'll Be Back (1968)
  161. The Dixie Drifter – Dear John Letter (1968)
  162. Odetta – Peace and Harmony (1968)
  163. Jean Carter and The Centerpieces – If You Want Peace (1968)
  164. Michigan Stone Foxx – Love Not War (1968)
  165. Bernie Moore – I'm Still a Lonely Soldier (1968)
  166. Kim Weston – When Johnny Comes Marching Home (1968)
  167. Various Artists – A Christmas Dedication (1968)
  168. The Southerners – The Storm Is Passing Over (1968)
  169. Pilgrim Jubilees – Mr. President (1969)
  170. The Pilgrim Travelers – A Soldier's Plea (1969)
  171. The Stars of Faith – Prayer for Vietnam (1969)
  172. The Harps of Melody – Lord Bless the Weary Soldier in Viet Nam (1969)
  173. The Harps of Melody – Lord Bless the Weary Soldier in Viet Nam (1969)
  174. Earl Wright – This Soldier Wants to Come Home (1969)
  175. Mizax and the Flizaps – On the Other Side (1969)
  176. Francine "Peaches" Barker – Angels in the Sky (1969)
  177. The Green Berets – We Must Make Things Right (1969)
  178. Johnny Holiday – Show the Peace Sign (1969)
  179. Black Velvet – Peace and Love Is the Message (1969)
  180. Bishop J. M. Smith – Soldier's Plea (1969)
  181. The War Babies – War Baby (1969)
  182. Jimmy Ruffin – Farewell Is a Lonely Sound (1969)
  183. Jae Mason – Peace (1969)
  184. Jackie Sule – Bring My Baby Home (1969)
  185. Perry Stovall – Soldier's Prayer (1969)
  186. The Temptations – Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) (1970)
  187. Sylvia Robinson – Have You Had Any Lately (1970)
  188. The Equals – Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys (1970)
  189. Tommy Tate – Let Us Be Heard (A Prayer for Peace) (1970)
  190. Tommy Tate – Peace Is All I Need (1970)
  191. Raymond Myles – Prayer From a 12 Year Old Boy (1970)
  192. The Friends of Distinction – This Generation (1970)
  193. R.B. Greaves – Home to Stay (1970)
  194. Brothers of Love – Make Love, Not War (1970)
  195. The Supremes – Right On (1970)
  196. The Supremes – Farewell (1970)
  197. Garrett Scott – (Mama) Is Uncle Clayton Jackson Sleeping Here Again Tonight? (1970)
  198. Mark Barkan – One World (1970)
  199. Mark Barkan – One World (Part II) (1970)
  200. Brenda Starr – Soldier Boy (Partial) (1970)
  201. Master's Children – Watch the Children and Give a Damn (1970)
  202. Master's Children – The Soul of Young America (1970)
  203. The Reflections – Get Your Mind Together (1970)
  204. The Reflections – Peace, Love or War (1970)
  205. Lou Jackson – Peace to You Brother (1971)
  206. Laurel Canyon – Stand and Be Counted (1971)
  207. The Chambers Brothers – New Generation (1971)
  208. William Garvin – Bring Them Home (1971)
  209. The Sensational Saints – My Brother (1971)
  210. The Blind Boys of Alabama – The Five Blind Boys of Alabama (1971)
  211. Zuma – The High Life of Death (1971)
  212. Alex Bradford – Letter to the U.N. (Make the World Safe Again) (1971)
  213. The Rock – Charlie, Brother, We Got to Love One Another (1971)
  214. Marvin Gaye – Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (1971)
  215. Eugene McDaniels – Tell Me Mr. President (1971)
  216. Pretty Purdie and The Playboys – Artificialness (1971)
  217. The Stairsteps – Peace Is Gonna Come (1971)
  218. Charles Wright – You're So Beautiful (album) (1971)
  219. Charles Wright – Let's Make Love Not War (1971)
  220. The Relatives – Speak to Me (1971)
  221. The Dixie Drifter With Black River Junction – Let the Soul Roll On Pt. I (1971)
  222. The Dixie Drifter With Black River Junction – Let the Soul Roll On Pt. II (1971)
  223. The Naturals – Young Generation (1971)
  224. Tom Clay – Victors (1971)
  225. Tom Clay – What the World Needs Now Is Love - Abraham, Martin and John (1971)
  226. Helen Hollins Singers – Sad Sad (War Is) (1971)
  227. Edwin Starr – Who Is the Leader of the People (1972)
  228. Beaufort Express – Here I Come (1972)
  229. Gary Grande and The New Brass Revolution – We've Got the Vote Now (1972)
  230. Swamp Dogg – Sam Stone (1972)
  231. The Rance Allen Group – Truth Is Where It's At (1972)
  232. The Jesters – Sing a Song of Peace (1972)
  233. Vernon Garrett – Jody Can Ease the Pain (1972)
  234. Vernon Garrett – Think People (1972)
  235. Arthur Alexander – Mr. John (1972)
  236. The Eight Minutes – Time for a Change (1972)
  237. Godfrey Daniel – Woodstock (1972)
  238. Carl Carlton – The Generation Gap (1972)
  239. Loyce Cotton – Everybody Wants to Be the President (1972)
  240. Angels of Joy – Mr. President (1972)
  241. Lucky Peterson – Daddy Come Home for Christmas (1972)
  242. Bill Perry – Things Have Got to Change (1972)
  243. The Charades – You Better Believe It (1973)
  244. Barbara Mason – Lady Love (1973)
  245. O.C. Smith – La La Peace Song (1973)
  246. Stevie Wonder – Higher Ground (1973)
  247. The Goodtimers – End the War (My Prayers Were Answered) (1973)
  248. We the People – Forgotten Man (Sweetstick's Theme from Sweet Jesus Preacher Man) (1973)
  249. Clarence Coulter – Ride On (Keep on Riding) (1973)
  250. Joey Morant – Peace at Last (1973)
  251. Lou Bond – Lou Bond (1974)
  252. The Staple Singers – City in the Sky (1974)
  253. The Chi-Lites – There Will Never Be Any Peace (1974)
  254. Love Committee – One Day of Peace (1974)
  255. Bobby Newton – When the World's at Peace (1974)
  256. Vernon Garrett – Something Went Wrong (1974)
  257. Joe Hinton – Where Do We Go From Here! (1975)
  258. Willie Dixon – Our Nation PT-I (1975)
  259. Willie Dixon – Our Nation PT-II (1975)
  260. Gil Scott-Heron – We Beg Your Pardon America (Promo) (1975)
  261. Ray T. Jones – Cause You're Coming Home (1975)
  262. Ray Jones – Take Me Back to Norfold Town (1976)
  263. Mike Pearson – Amnesty (1977)
  264. Ed Townsend – Take a Vow for Peace (1977)
  265. Bernie Hamilton – Brave 52 (Part I) (1980)
  266. Eddie "Little Buster" Forehand – Looking for a Home (1996)
  267. Bobby Womack – Back to My Roots (1999)
  268. Various Artists – G.I. Funk (14 Vietnam Wartime Funky Club Hits) (2004)
  269. The Singing Southern Echos of Memphis, Tennessee – Somebody Touched Me (2009)
  270. Stone Coal White – Stone Coal White (2011)
  271. Dan Greer – Beale Street Soul Man: The Sounds of Memphis Sessions (2013)
  272. Various Artists – A Cellarful of Motown! Volume 5 (2020)
  273. Various Artists – Stop the War (Vietnam Through the Eyes of Black America 1965-1974) (2021)
  274. Lillian Lopez – Every Mother's Son
  275. The Infernos – Air Mail Special
  276. Rouse Brothers – Going to Vietnam, Pray for Me
  277. Otis Brown – Will You Wait
  278. The Lavells – In a Crowded Station
  279. Joycelyn – Soldier in Saigon Part One
  280. Joycelyn – Soldier in Saigon Part Two
  281. Alphonso Hamilton – I Came Back (I Know I Am Equal)
  282. Alphonso Hamilton – I Came Back (I Just Want Peace)
  283. Pierson Lake – People Are Dying (And We Say We Care)
  284. The Swinging Soulsters – Lonely Soldier (Partial)
  285. Rev. R. D. Holloway – Echoes From Viet Nam
  286. Rev. R. D. Holloway – Hill 875
  287. Highway Travelers – Prayer for Vietnam
  288. Sound-of-Experience – Theme From Welcome-Home (From the War)
  289. Toussaint McCall – Saigon to San Francisco (Partial)
  290. Phyllis Smith – Let Freedom Ring
  291. Johnny Gilliam – Peace on Earth
  292. Artie Fullilove – Santa Claus Please Listen to Me
  293. Calvary Spiritual Singers – Power
  294. The Soul Full Garner Singers – When This War Is Over
  295. Wade Bryant – Fighting Children
  296. Wade Bryant – Birthday for a Soldier
  297. Danny Cox – Red, White and Blue
  298. Ray Sharp – Many a Man
  299. Ron Murry – What If They Gave a War
  300. Arvetra Jones – Revival Time
  301. The Parkays – Another Mother's Baby
  302. Norman Brooks – Let Lay the Weapons Down & Join Hands
  303. Norman Brooks – That Freedom Plane
  304. Billy Thunder – Surely (Partial)
  305. Barbara Davis – World Peace
  306. Tommy Dorster – I'll Be So Glad When We Won't Have to Fight
  307. Tommy Dorster – Hello USA, Goodbye Vietnam
  308. Laura Otis and The Satinettes – Bye Bye Soldier Boy
  309. The Marvells – Forget About That Mess
  310. Rev. William White & The Fabulous White Singers – Rev. William White & The Fabulous White Singers
  311. Larry Dismond – Carry on My Brothers / The Canaan Land
  312. Johnny Peoples and the Exciting Gospel Crowns of Brooklyn, NY – I Want to Be Free
  313. The Little Shadows – Mr. Nixon Hear My Prayer
  314. The Little Shadows – A Prayer for Our Soldiers
  315. Sensational Angels – Trouble in This World
  316. Triumphant Echoes – Lord Help Viet Nam
  317. The Love Machine – Brother Show a Little Love
  318. The Jackson Southernaires – The Bible Will Be Fulfilled
  319. Edie Walker – Don't Cry Soldier
  320. Lloyd Woodard – When There Is Peace Among the Nations