Don't Go Blamin' Me for Vietnam
Aftermath AMH 101 · Georgia, USA
- Artist
- Phil Coley
- Title
- Don't Go Blamin' Me for Vietnam
- Release
- Big Black Wall / Don't Go Blamin' Me for Vietnam
- Label
- Aftermath # AMH 101
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- Georgia, USA
- 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 — Draft 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. 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. His father thought it was best, and the narrator didn't like the cold weather up north, so he reluctantly "packed my bags and went south to Vietnam". The vet then described returning to the US in San Diego where he was greeted by "this hippie" who said "welcome home Mr. Baby Killer". The narrator said that he "didn't…
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Themes
Draft Dodger · Amnesty · Mistreatment of Vet · Counter-Culture & Hippies · Drugs · VC · Medals · Silver Star · Purple Heart · Napalm · Draft