58000+

Annotation

A double-sided Vietnam War single released in 1984 in the classic rock style, took a strong anti-war position. The record was released by Vietnam War veterans from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Words and music by W.B. Scherer. The song "58000+" is certainly one of the most interesting on this list lyrically, which suggested breaking-up the Memorial Wall in D.C., to build a road of peace: "there's a black wall...we'll break it up and turn it all to gravel". The song called for people to stop politicians from leading people to war: "we are to blame if we haven't learnt...fight politicians of war to pave the future". The beginning of the song focused on the impact of the memorial on veterans, who may have felt guilt, having lost many friends in the war, as well as dealing with war memories (which may be a reference to PTSD). The picture sleeve featured a drawing of the memorial wall and a photo of the band.1 The A-side "Saigon Children" is interesting in that it looked at the perspective of South Vietnamese children who lost their parents in the war. It also referenced Agent Orange, and had war sound-effects, such as helicopters.Sources158,000 (Vietnam Veteran Artists) (PS)↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Veterans Memorial Wall Songs

A double-sided Vietnam War single released in 1984 in the classic rock style, took a strong anti-war position. The record was released by Vietnam War veterans from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Words and music by W.B. Scherer. The song "58000+" is certainly one of the most interesting on this list lyrically, which suggested breaking-up the Memorial Wall in D.C., to build a road of peace: "there's a black wall...we'll break it up and turn it all to gravel". The song called for people to stop politicians from leading people to war: "we are to blame if we haven't learnt...fight politicians of war to pave the future". The beginning of the song focused on the impact of the memorial on veterans, who may have felt guilt, having lost many friends in the war, as well as dealing with war memories (which may be a reference to PTSD). The picture sleeve featured a drawing of the memorial wall and a photo of the band.1 The A-side "Saigon Children" is interesting in that it looked at the perspective of South Vietnamese children who lost their parents in the war. It also referenced Agent Orange, and had war sound-effects, such as helicopters. Sources158,000 (Vietnam Veteran Artists) (PS)↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: 58,000+ and that's the count / 58,000+ and that's the count / Black stone etched in silence, the memories.. / Red, in coming loud / For years we've been trying to forget the horror / For years we've been dealing with the guilt / The friends we lost and what we did still haunt us / There will never be a war to end all wars / There can only be a peace to begin all peace... / Continues in their memory... / Blood flows through veins of granite / Chiseled are the names of the dead / The struggle goes on in the shadow of other men free / A vision we've seen in the light of the long dark wall / 58,000+ and that's the count / 58,000+ died in the 'Nam / There's a black wall in Washington, and we'll break it up and turn it all to gravel / To build a road where others have fell / 58,000+ on the stone / We are to blame if we haven't learnt by now / We will unite and fight politicians of war to pave the future for our children / For the road gone by, for the road denied... not built for peace

Notes

Orange Records, Side B, 45 RPM, ©℗ BMI 1984; "58000+ (Reconstruction)", words and music by W. B. Scherer, time 4:42; label address Vietnam Veteran Artists, P.O. Box 1248, Boston, MA 02205. The picture sleeve carries a pen-and-ink drawing of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall with the Washington Monument reflected in it and a lone figure standing before it, signed "Laila Tarbah '84", with the hand-lettered title "58,000 +" and a photograph of the six-man group in suits, ties, sunglasses and bush hats. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Collective credit for recordings by groups of Vietnam veteran performers; individual artists credited within the releases.

Themes

Vet · Military · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall · Anti-War · Anti-Government

In collections

US Military & Veteran Songs · Veterans Memorial Wall Songs