35 Songs about the Vietnam Era
Troops in Vietnam. (Photo/Leroy Lawson)
Throughout history, music has covered an array of subjects, such as war and peace. There are songs that are more broadly patriotic and songs that highlight critical problems in our country. During the Vietnam War, we saw music mimic the public’s support, disillusionment and then rising disapproval. The Vietnam era set a precedent for music as a public space to reflect perspectives on war, with critical perspectives being acceptable and even popular.
Here we take a look at 35 songs about the Vietnam era.
1. “We Gotta Get Outta This Place” – The Animals (1965) – while not explicitly about Vietnam, the song’s themes became a popular anthem with the troops.
2. “Feel Like I’m Fixin To Die Rag” – Country Joe McDonald & The Fish (1965) – Written by a former Navy man, this satirical song became an iconic protest song of the Vietnam era.
3. “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane” – Peter, Paul, & Mary (1967) – Not written about the war directly, but it again became a song associated with departure for Vietnam.
4. “War” – Edwin Starr (1970) – A clear anti-war song which rose in popularity at the height of the Vietnam War.
5. “Give Me Love (Peace on Earth)” – George Harrison (1973) – While written about the war in Bangladesh, the song became an anthem of peace at the end of the Vietnam War.
6. “Susan On the West Coast Waiting” – Donovan (1969) – About a young man who is drafted into Vietnam.
7. “Going Home” – Normie Rowe (1967) – From an Australian pop star, a song associated with coming home from service in Vietnam.
8. “Chicago” – Graham Nash (1971) – A song about the 1968 protests at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
9. “Nineteen” – Paul Hardcastle (1985) – An anti-war song, the title refers to the average age of a soldier in Vietnam.
10. “Vietnam” – The Minutemen (1984) – A strong statement against the political motivations for the Vietnam War.
12. “Run Through the Jungle” – Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970) – Though written about the prevalence of guns, the song’s lyrics lead many to associate it with Vietnam.
13. “Ballad of the Green Berets” – Barry Sadler (1966) – A steady ballard about the heroism of the Green Berets.
14. “Still in Saigon” – Charlie Daniels Band (1982) – Song tells the story of a man who was drafted into Vietnam, returned to a divided nation, and is plagued by memories of his time in the war.
15. “7 O’Clock News /Silent Night” – Simon and Garfunkel (1966) – Covering the current events at the time, including Nixon’s urge to escalate the war effort in Vietnam.
16. “All Along the Watchtower” – Bob Dylan (1967) – Many have interpreted the song’s lyrics as a reflection of the desire to end American fighting in Vietnam.
17. “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” – Paper Lace (1974) – Though released after the war’s end, the song tells the story of a woman learning how her love has died in war.
18. “Bungle in the Jungle” – Jethro Tull (1974) – Because of the song’s lyrics about spending time in a jungle, many interpret the song to be about Vietnam.
19. “Draft Morning” – The Byrds (1968) – A song that refers to the absurdity of the draft.
20. “Give Peace a Chance” – John Lennon (1969) – An anthem for peace at the height of the Vietnam era.
21. “Gimme Shelter” – The Rolling Stones (1969) – About the unique circumstances of the Vietnam war and the scramble to survive.
22. “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” – Phil Ochs (1965) – A strong anti-war song released as American involvement in Vietnam began to escalate.
23. “I Want To Come Home For Christmas” – Marvin Gaye (1972) – A song in tribute to the troops in Vietnam for the holidays.
24. “Masters of War” – Bob Dylan (1963) – A song condemning the rapidly growing military-industrial complex.
25. “Ohio” – Neil Young (1970) – A song about the killing of 4 students in an anti-war protest at Kent State University in 1970.
26. “Peace Train” – Cat Stevens (1971) – A message of peace as the war in Vietnam continued.
27. “Search and Destroy” – The Stooges (1973) – Song’s title and lyrics refer to a military strategy common in the Vietnam War.
28. “Sky Pilot” – Eric Burdon and The Animals (1968) – A song about a chaplain who blesses troops before going out on a mission.
29. “Straight To Hell” – The Clash (1982) – References to the fate of children fathered by American soldiers in Vietnam.
30. “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye (1971) – A song lamenting the fate of Vietnam era youth and the great divisions the war sparked in society.
31. “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy” – Pete Seeger (1967) – A song interpreted to refer to the escalation of the war in Vietnam.
32. “The Unknown Soldier” – The Doors (1968) – A song that tells the story of news reports on Vietnam.
33. “Question” – The Moody Blues (1970) – A peace song about the futility of the Vietnam War and war in general.
34. “Okie from Muskogee” – Merle Haggard (1969) – A song to support the sacrifices of the troops fighting in Vietnam.
35. “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” – John Lennon (1972) – A popular anti-war song, preceded by an anti-war campaign led by Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono.
Since the Vietnam era, music has been used to reflect a range of perspectives on war, a tradition which continues into the 21st century. This dialogue has included reflections on the post-war experience of remembering the fallen at The Wall. In 2014, Bruce Springsteen released a song titled “The Wall” which tells the story of visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to reconnect with a friend. The song was written after Springsteen visited the Memorial and decided to write a song in honor of his friends and fellow musicians Walter Cichon and Bart Haynes who died in the war.
To learn more about the influence of war and music, click here.
2+2 by Bob Seger
my husband survived 2 years (back to back) as a ( Navy) Medevac Corpsman assigned to a Marine Unit (1968-70) and to this day there are still many, many songs he still will not, cannot listen to. So one person’s perspective about…” public space to reflect perspectives on war, with critical perspectives being acceptable and even popular”, is not everyone’s idea of acceptable. He was actually one of the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines who were spat upon on his arrival home. He does not begrudge anyone their opinions, but as his wife I have lived with the aftermath of his tours over there and the carnage he saw and lives with to this day. He fought to save people’s lives as they all fought for the freedom of others and protection of our freedoms as well.
I am not angry, and please don’t misconstrue my point of view as that, we are a very patriotic, retired military family. I am disappointed with some of our fellow countrymen who want all others to believe as they do, and have no compassion for other’s points of view. My cousin died serving our country and protecting our freedoms. He did not live to see 21 like so many other Marines.
So, I applaud this site and I look forward to seeing what others are sharing, please note that not all Americans appreciated the music, nor the “accepted critical perspectives of the war”.
Linda, as a Vietnam veteran myself I can understand how it can be for your Husband. To this day there are some songs that I do like to hear either, many songs remind us of to much that we went through over there. I grew up listening the Green Beret song by SSGT. Barry Sadler, and the other side Letter from Vietnam when I was very young. I didn’t even know where Vietnam was and never heard of the country before, and little did I know that a couple years later I would join the Army and volunteer to go into that war. I did two tours there and when I came back, I wanted to re-enlist to go back again for an additional three more years. I suffered a number of times with flash backs even years after I was married, but my wife stuck with me even though she didn’t understand what I was going through. I eventually got over them now. One thing that did help was I talked about it with others at the American Legion, many went through the same things and understood. Please thank your Husband for me for his service and tell him I said, “Welcome Home Brother”.
Thank you so much Paul and Welcome Home to you as well. I will certainly tell Warren of your welcoming him home. If you would like you may reach him personally at warrengroff@verizon.net just in case you want to reach out. I have never commented on the site before, tho I enjoy reading some of the stories and have talked to my husband about perhaps writing some of his stories down, tho he does not want to at this time. Anyway, your kind sentiments are appreciated, I have always kept my silence regarding how I, we, felt about so many things being spouted from so many rooftops but at my age, I suppose the need to finally vocalize my disagreement with those other opinions just suddenly needed to be said. Thank you once again, and please tell your wife we appreciate her service as well. Sincerely, Linda Groff
Well said Linda Groff.
Thank you Martha, I appreciate you.
I believe that all VN music can be separated into three categories:
1. Hawks- pro Vietnam war,
2. Doves- Anti- Vietnam war.
3. Vietnam war experience.
A couple of songs could be added:
– “Walking on a thin line”; Huey Lewis and the News. PTSD & Effects from the war.
– “Goodnight Saigon”: Billy Joel. USMC experience in RVN.
Whether you agree with it or not it is now history.
Glen Lippincott
US Army 3/21st Inf. Americal Div. 197-1971. “Straight Leg”