Hey America, America
1973 · Hansa 12 632 AT · Germany: West [FRG]
- Artist
- Children of the Morning
- Title
- Hey America, America
- Release
- Hey America, America / Children of the Morning
- Year
- 1973
- Label
- Hansa # 12 632 AT
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- Germany: West [FRG]
- Genre
- Rock · Psychedelic Rock
- Primary theme
- Post-War
Annotation
The obscure psychedelic rock group Children of the Morning, formed in Italy, released the song "Hey America, America" (Hansa # 12 632 AT) which criticised the US government for the Kent State killings. Shel Shapiro, who led the group, composed the song. He had previously played with the British beat group The Rokes (1950s-60s). The narrator questioned the validity / plausibility of the argument that the National Guard fired in self defense: "government pretends that it was self defense". The lyrics then suggested that the killings harmed the reputation of the US: "America you're fucking up", which could have repercussions: "hey America don't push you luck". The song ended with a general anti-war message, complaining that the "war in Vietnam continues", in which the soldiers "kill woman and children". Note that the group released the song after the signing of the 1973 Paris Peace Accords.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
European studio pop-rock project whose single 'Hey America, America' / 'Children of the Morning' was written by Italy-based English musician Shel Shapiro (Norman David Shapiro, formerly of The Rokes) with a co-writer credited only as 'Computer'. Billed as an Insieme recording, it appeared in 1972 on Durium in Italy and Spot/Sonopresse in France, then across Europe on Hansa, Pink Elephant and Poplandia through 1973. No members documented. [Source: Discogs; Wikipedia]