He'll Be Back
1966 · Minit 32001 · USA
- Artist
- The Players
- Title
- He'll Be Back
- Release
- He'll Be Back / I Wanna Be Free
- Year
- 1966
- Label
- Minit # 32001
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- USA
- Genre
- Soul, Gospel & Funk · Soul
- Primary theme
- Home Front Perspective / Soldier's Perspective
Annotation
The song "He'll Be Back" (Minit # 32001) looked at the arrival of the draft papers and its impact on those left behind. It was recorded by the Chicago soul group The Players, founded in 1966, featuring Herbert Butler, Collis Gordon, and John Thomas - the latter two composed this song. In late 1966 they were joined by the Chicago soul vocalist Joe Brackenridge of the group The Pace Setters, who released a similar Vietnam War song called My Ship Is Coming in Tomorrow, below. The narrator of the song offers reassuring words to the lady left behind in the US: "I believe that he loves you". Moreover, when he returns "with victory in his hand", she will "be proud". The Players shortly followed this up with another Vietnam single, I'm Glad I Waited (Minit # 32012), both of which featured on the LP He'll Be Back (Minit # 240006).
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
American R&B vocal group from Chicago, active 1966-67 on Minit Records, produced by ex-Vee-Jay chief Calvin Carter. On the hit 'He'll Be Back' (1966) - a ballad about a young woman whose man is serving in Vietnam - lead singer Herbert Butler was backed by four members of the Dells (Chuck Barksdale, Johnny Carter, Vern Allison, Mickey McGill); Otha Lee Givens and Tony Lee Johnson then joined Butler for touring and the album. 'I'm Glad I Waited' (1966) is the sequel single in which the soldier comes home. [Source: Wikipedia / Popdose]