Fighting for My Baby

Annotation

Donald Jenkins' song "Fighting for My Baby", released on Chicago soul label Thomas Records (# TH 806), founded by Eddie Thomas and Dick Simon, was a first-person narration from a soldier, who tells the listener that it is "strange out here in the jungle of Vietnam, I'm scared". He is mainly thinking about his girlfriend, who he is fighting for. The soldier also thinks that if others knew what was going on in Vietnam, then "there would be no wars". Written by Donald Jenkins, who also co-produced the song with Thomas Ross.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Fighting for the whole wide world... / Don't my little baby get lonely sometimes / If they knew what I knew there would be no wars / There would only be time for little girls and boys / Strange out here in the jungle of Vietnam, I'm scared and all I want to do is go back home... / Because I'm fighting for my baby, right now

Notes

Thomas TH 806 (TH 806B), white label with a star-chart design; "Fighting for My Baby" (Donald Jenkins), Camad & Bismillah Music, BMI, 3:05; produced by Donald Jenkins and Thomas Ross; "Distributed by Buddah Records, 1650 Broadway, N.Y.C. 10019". Issued in a pink Buddah Records company sleeve. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Donald Jenkins was a Chicago rhythm and blues singer who recorded with The Fortunes and led Donald Jenkins & The Delighters, best known for 'Elephant Walk' (1963). 'Fighting For My Baby' is the B-side of Thomas TH806, issued in 1970. [Source: Discogs; Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven; Chicago soul label discographies]

Themes

Soldier's Perspective

In collections

Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs · US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]