Forget Me Not

Annotation

The song "Forget Me Not" (Gordy Records # 7070) by Motown girl group Martha and The Vandellas told the story of a soldier setting "off to war" because "the battle's on" - probably Vietnam-related. The narrator declared that "I'll be here when you return", and she wanted the soldier to "write a letter every day, don't throw my picture away". The theme is very similar to Soldier Boy by The Shirelles. Composed by Sylvia Moy and Richard Morris (also the producer) - both of whom worked as song-writers and producers with Motown over a long period. In 1970, Martha and the Vandellas released the Vietnam single "I Should Be Proud", which leaned towards the anti-war side of the debate and displayed an interesting change in opinion on the war from 1968-1970.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Now we kiss goodbye, you'll be off to war, the battle's on / I don't wanna cry as I stand and watch your ship sail on / Now when you're out to sea and the sky is dark and water surrounds you...forget me not boy... / Remember old Joe's, our favorite song, our table for two / Well heaven knows these little things I'll share with no one but you... / Write a letter every day, don't throw my picture away, forget me not boy... / I'll be here when you return, each night I will pray for peace on earth, goodwill to all men

Notes

Gordy G-7070 (GSU-417M04), © 1968, purple-and-yellow label; "Forget Me Not" (Morris, Moy), Jobete, BMI, 2:58; produced by R. Morris; "In album 'Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Ridin' High' G 926". Rim: "A trademark of Motown Record Corp. © 1968". [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

American Motown vocal group formed 1957 in Detroit, Michigan ('I Should Be Proud'). [Source: Wikipedia]

Themes

Soldier's Perspective

In collections

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