George Jay

Greetings - This Is Uncle Sam

ARV A-5012 · McAllen, Texas

Artist
George Jay
Title
Greetings - This Is Uncle Sam
Release
Another Lonely Night / Greetings - This Is Uncle Sam
Label
ARV # A-5012
Format
7" · Single
Language
English
Country
McAllen, Texas, USA
Songwriter
Boteman, Horn, Dumbar
Genre
Soul, Gospel & Funk · Soul
Primary theme
Home Front Perspective / Soldier's Perspective

Annotation

The track "Greetings - This Is Uncle Sam" (ARV International # A-5012) was a cover of The Valadiers' Vietnam draft song Greeting (This Is Uncle Sam) (1961), also recorded by The Monitors in 1966 (Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam), both on the Motown Records label. Unlike those other versions, this one actually specified the conflict: "I need you boy, to fight in Vietnam". George Jay was part of the Texas-Mexican music scene - referred to as Tejano Music, a hybrid of conjunto and Norteño music, performed by Mexican-Americans and influenced by Mexican folk music. On this track it contained strong soul influences. (1) On 25 November 1972, Billboard reported on the explosion of Tex-Mex music, referencing Arnaldo Ramírez, the owner of the ARV label which released this record. Additionally, he owned the labels Falcon and Bronco, also featured on this list. (2)& Vietnam War: Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Mexican-American / Hispanic Songs

The track "Greetings - This Is Uncle Sam" (ARV International # A-5012) was a cover of The Valadiers' Vietnam draft song Greeting (This Is Uncle Sam) (1961), also recorded by The Monitors in 1966 (Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam), both on the Motown Records label. Unlike those other versions, this one actually specified the conflict: "I need you boy, to fight in Vietnam". George Jay was part of the Texas-Mexican music scene - referred to as Tejano Music, a hybrid of conjunto and Norteño music, performed by Mexican-Americans and influenced by Mexican folk music. On this track it contained strong soul influences. (1) On 25 November 1972, Billboard reported on the explosion of Tex-Mex music, referencing Arnaldo Ramírez, the owner of the ARV label which released this record. Additionally, he owned the labels Falcon and Bronco, also featured on this list. (2)

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

Formed Corpus Christi, Texas, USA

Themes

Soldier's Perspective · Draft

In collections

Draft Songs · Mexican-American / Hispanic Songs · Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs