Credited on the record as Nathan McKinney and The Chamber Bros..
Soldier Boy
1964 · Rayco R-527 · Los Angeles, California
- Artist
- Nathan McKinney
- Credited on the record as
- Nathan McKinney and The Chamber Bros.
- Title
- Soldier Boy
- Release
- Soldier Boy / Never Fall in Love
- Year
- 1964
- Label
- Rayco # R-527
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Songwriter
- Jones, Williams
- Genre
- Soul, Gospel & Funk · Soul
- Primary theme
- Home Front Perspective / Soldier's Perspective
Annotation
McKinney shortly followed up the above song with the track "Soldier Boy" (Rayco Records # R-527) - a standard soldier relationship song. The narrator reassured the soldier that his sweetheart back home will be "by your side" on his return, and that their love was "written eternally". It made no specific mention of Vietnam or other conflicts.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Lyrics
English: Tell me why do you cry / When you return she'll rest by your side... / So true, her love is true... / Try to believe her love for you / It's written eternally... / She were meant for only you... / We're gonna do all things we used to do
Notes
Ray-Co R-527-B (R-427), 45 RPM, black label with silver print; "Soldier Boy" (Jones-Williams), Bryden Music (BMI), time 2:40; credited to Nathan McKinney and The Chamber Bros.; prod. by Floyd Ray. [From the record sleeve and labels]
About the artist
American soul singer who recorded two 45s in 1964 for Floyd Ray's Los Angeles label Ray-Co, in a style blending doo-wop, gospel and the blues: 'Weep No More' / ''Oh' How I Love You' (with the Valleyites, Ray-Co R-526) and 'Never Fall in Love' / 'Soldier Boy' (Rayco R-527); his best side was written by bluesman Len Johnson. No personal biographical details documented. [Source: Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven / Discogs / Rate Your Music]
Themes
Home Front Perspective · Soldier's Perspective · Soldier Boy
In collections
Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs · US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]