Uncle Sam
1967 · Atlantic 2454 · New York City, New York
- Artist
- Jimmy Hughes
- Title
- Uncle Sam
- Release
- It Ain't What You Got / Uncle Sam
- Year
- 1967
- Label
- Atlantic # 2454
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- New York City, New York, USA
- Songwriter
- Marlene Teasley
- Genre
- Soul, Gospel & Funk · Soul
- Primary theme
- Home Front Perspective / Soldier's Perspective
Annotation
Southern soul singer Jimmy Hughes, from Alabama, released the track "Uncle Sam" (Atlantic # 2454) which focused on the draft. It was composed by Marlene Teasley and produced by Rick Hall (owner of Fame Studios, Muscle Shoals, Alabama). The narrator had been called up, and even though he will miss his family, he must go to Vietnam like all the other men, in order to do his duty and to be a man: "I know its right...I've got to stand for myself".
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation
Country novelty, Cold War, released Vietnam-era. Recorded 1962. Released 1966. Russia, Khruschev, Cuba, China, Africa, Laos
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Lyrics
English: Uncle Sam, I know its right, like every other guy I have to go and fight / My girls telling me she loves me so / But your taking me, I guess you love me more / Uncle Sam, everyday that I'm gone... / You don't know how sad it is to say goodbye / When we are all standing here, starting to cry / Oh daddy you try and be strong, I don't how long I'll be gone... / Uncle Sam, I'm gonna go.. / I'm gonna miss my family so / But I've got to make a choice... / Uncle Sam I'm gonna go with you / I've got to stand for myself
Notes
Atlantic 45-2454 (A-11536-PL), 45 R.P.M., red and black label; "Uncle Sam" (Marlene Teasley), vocal, Jet Set, BMI, time 2:26; produced by Rick Hall & Staff. [From the record sleeve and labels]
About the artist
American soul singer, born 3 February 1938 in Leighton, Alabama; died 1 April 1997. [Source: Wikipedia]