A Teenager's Answer (Vocal)

Annotation

Keith Gordon, in the track "A Teenager's Answer (Vocal)" (Tower Records # 383) took the approach of trying to convince Lundberg of the "flower-power" culture, saying that he wanted to "make love, not war". He also said that the hip kids are true Americans. Like some of the tracks above, he mentioned the teachings of the bible. Furthermore, the narrator argued that in history rebels had made America great, such as George Washington against the British, and Abraham Lincoln against slavery. Released in Hollywood, California, US, as a promo record, it came with a picture sleeve that had the lyrics printed on it. The b-side featured an instrumental version. Composed by Hal Shrager, Sid Shrager, and Al Chorney. Arranged and conducted by Don Ralke ("A Ditto Production"). Falstaff Music Company Inc., BMI.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Dad, I don't know where you got the idea I'd burn the American flag... / A hip kid - he loves his country too... / Sure, I believe in flower-power / But, dad, I'm askin' you: can't a flower-child love his country too? / Now, dad, you laughed at "love-ins" the other night / But we're just tryin' to make grown-ups see the light... / "Make love, not war" - that's all we want to say... / Is this so bad? / Doesn't the bible put it that way? / Dad we're not escapin', we're really tryin' to grow... / Why should we sell our souls just to bank a lot of dough? / Not ev'ryone's takin' "trips" dad, only a few, and even those kids love their country too... / Now what made America the great land it is today? / Rebels, dad, who felt they had something important to say... / Rebels like George Washington who set this country free / Rebels like Lincoln who fought against slavery / Now I march and demonstrate for the sake of some ideal... / And why shouldn't I, unless democracy's not real? / Dad, I just hope that somehow I'm gettin' thru to you! / A hip kid...can love his country too

Notes

Tower 383, white "Promotional — Not for Sale" labels; A-side "A Teenager's Answer (Vocal)" (45-61718), 2:31, and flip "A Teenager's Answer (Instrumental)" (45-61719), 1:40, both written by Hal Shrager, Sid Shrager and Al Chorney, Falstaff Music Company, Inc., BMI; Keith Gordon, "Arranged and Conducted by Don Ralke", "A Ditto Production". The picture sleeve prints the title, artist and Tower 383 logo with the full lyric of a son's reply to his father ("Dad, I don't know where you got the idea I'd burn the American flag..."), defending long hair, flower power and protest ("'Make love, not war' — that's all we want to say...") and closing "A hip kid... can love his country too...". [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Draft · Anti-War · Answer to Open Letter

In collections

Lundberg's "An Open Letter" & Answer Songs · Draft Songs · Garage Rock Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]