I'm a Soldier Boy
1963 · Vee Jay VJ-487 · USA
- Artist
- Dee Clark
- Title
- I'm a Soldier Boy
- Release
- I'm A Soldier Boy / Shook Up Over You
- Year
- 1963
- Label
- Vee Jay # VJ-487
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- USA
- Songwriter
- C. Mayfield, O. Cobbs, M. Lance
- Genre
- Soul, Gospel & Funk · Soul
- Primary theme
- Home Front Perspective / Soldier's Perspective
Annotation
"I'm a Soldier Boy" (Vee-Jay Records # VJ-487) - another early R&B / soul track that took the 'soldier boy' perspective. Dee Clark (aka Delectus Clark), born in Arkansas in 1938, moved to Chicago with his mother (a gospel singer) in 1941, where much of his musical career was based. The song, composed by Chicago Soul artists Otis Leavill, Curtis Mayfield, & Major Lance, does not mention Vietnam, but contained lyrics dealing with themes of the conflict, and of course released during its early stages. The soldier, remembering his loved one, re-assured her that "I'll be home soon my love", and so he wanted her to "be true". The song was included in Billboard's spotlight singles on 9 February 1963, which said: "Strong marching-cadence feel to this side, with strong guitar and rhythm effects in the background help Clark to put this one across in a fashion which could get it a lot of play". (1) Covers song: Bobby John - "Lonely Soldier".
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
American singer, born 7 November 1938 in Blytheville, Arkansas; died 7 December 1990 in Smyrna, Georgia. [Source: Wikipedia]