Big Black Wall
Aftermath AMH 101 · Georgia, USA
- Artist
- Phil Coley
- Title
- Big Black Wall
- Release
- Big Black Wall / Don't Go Blamin' Me for Vietnam
- Label
- Aftermath # AMH 101
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- Georgia, USA
- Songwriter
- W.H. Mozal
- Genre
- Country · Country
- Primary theme
- Post-War
Annotation
Phil Coley, based in Bowdon, Georgia, released this pop-rock / country doubled-sided Vietnam War single, recorded at Coley Recording Studio, Carrollton, Georgia. (1) The A-side song "Big Black Wall" (Aftermath Records # AMH 101) focused on a vet going to the memorial wall in Washington D.C., to see the names of his buddies from Vietnam. It recalled several names, where they came from, and what they did in Vietnam. While in-country they "promised we'd all get together" back in the states. He was the first to leave Vietnam, but his friend were K.I.A., concluding with the line "who would believe I'd have to come to D.C. to see them on a big black wall?". Composed by W. H. Mozal.The song "Don't Go Blamin' Me for Vietnam", a fascinating post-war look at the war, addressed several Vietnam War images and perceptions. This included draft evasion, by fleeing to Canada, and subsequent amnesty; the mistreatment of veterans; veterans and drug addiction; the role played by politicians. The song also referenced napalm, and medals (the Silver Star and Purple Heart). The narrator started by recalling how he was drafted to go to war while his friends headed off to Canada, avoiding the same fate.…
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation — Veterans Memorial Wall Songs
Phil Coley, based in Bowdon, Georgia, released this pop-rock / country doubled-sided Vietnam War single, recorded at Coley Recording Studio, Carrollton, Georgia. (1) The A-side song "Big Black Wall" (Aftermath Records # AMH 101) focused on a vet going to the memorial wall in Washington D.C., to see the names of his buddies from Vietnam. It recalled several names, where they came from, and what they did in Vietnam. While in-country they "promised we'd all get together" back in the states. He was the first to leave Vietnam, but his friend were K.I.A., concluding with the line "who would believe I'd have to come to D.C. to see them on a big black wall?". Composed by W. H. Mozal. The song "Don't Go Blamin' Me for Vietnam", a fascinating post-war look at the war, addressed several Vietnam War images and perceptions. This included draft evasion, by fleeing to Canada, and subsequent amnesty; the mistreatment of veterans; veterans and drug addiction; the role played by politicians. The song also referenced napalm, and medals (the Silver Star and Purple Heart). The narrator started by recalling how he was drafted to go to war while his friends headed off to Canada, avoiding the same fate.…
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer