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I was 20 in 1966 - with a college deferment, and one for grad school later and then afterwards I drew a very "safe" number in the draft lottery. My best friend had already been killed in Cambodia. This song reminds me of my many conflicts of the time. Some wanted to go and went. Others didn't want to go but had no choice. Others had deferments. It seemed then and now so unfair to the extent that I harbored guilt over my deferments. Growing up with many family members who served from WWII to Vietnam I will always honor their's and all veterans' service. Pardon this...I know it's not about me but this song is so very powerful and it elicited those emotions. And isn't that the hallmark of a great song? And this is indeed such a song with all of the fj stamps of goodness. Tom so well stated the feelings of the time. I can't add to that. Thanks for sharing this. Bud (Janice was 9 in 1966  )
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Well, if Floyd did it, it's worth a listen :-)
Sad episode ... you're probably right, though. Most people did not feel that way about our soldiers. Just a very, very vocal minority, stirred up by political agitators and re-enforced by news anchors misrepresenting what the majority of our soldiers were like. When the talking heads say things every night, people get the idea that's what everybody thinks, and there's a natural peer pressure to buy into it. Sucks. And pisses me off, too.
Good song.
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No it;s not another Vienmam war song, it is an outstanding Vietnam war, era song. This just brings to life that period that is so remarkable in all of it's glory and horror. THis is down to earth, from someone who was in the time period. Love it Floyd. Clifton - I appreciate you saying that. Thanks for "breaking the ice" - otherwise this would never have seen the light of day...
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To Buds comment
"It seemed then and now so unfair to the extent that I harbored guilt over my deferments."
Some of us stayed for several tours just so others did not have to go. We were happy to do that.
I am very glad you did not have to go there. We needed good people like you at home just as much as we needed people there.
Thanks,
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
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fj,
I hesitate to comment because it will require you to bump the thread to get your 15 minutes of fame, but here goes.
I like the song. A dark period in our history for sure. Well done.
Regards,
Lefty
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floyd,
This is very, very powerful! I'm glad you pulled it out, dusted it off and unleashed BIAB. I love that ending and the ending chord. It really left me hanging in the air thinking about all you'd sung. As I'm sitting here typing this, the song and its images are still bright in my mind.
I thought it was excellent the way that you used the chorus as a kind of parallel narrative. For me, the verses were a glimpse into the mind, heart and soul of the unpopular hero and the choruses (complete with their own independent development) were a glimpse of the 'other side of the coin'. 'Heartbreaking' is a word that just sprang into my head. Your story-telling and commentary unfolded like a movie for me. First person narrative was an ideal choice of perspective.
Everything about this sits perfectly in my headphones. The acoustic guitar beginning was terrific and its sound was first class. Then as the rest of the band started joining in and building a wall of sound with musical precision and intent, I found myself getting pulled into the music and the lyrics more as a participant than a listener. I think that's why the starkness of the ending was so powerful for me. It was like I was there, a part of the history.
This song resonated with me in so many ways!
All the best,
Noel Noel, I am pleased that this resonated with you. You always "get" the finer points of both the writing and the production. Thanks for such a fine review... I'm surprised that no one has fathomed a guess at what that last chord is...
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[quote=Noel96]I'm surprised that no one has fathom a guess at what that last chord is... Hmmm.....that sounds like a challenge. Since we just moved my axes are not handy....so....unless I missed it somewhere what KEY are you in? Back to topic....
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 05/03/18 09:38 AM.
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Nice write, glad it found the light of day. As Noel said, the "parallel narrative" is really effective. I was wondering how long you'd hold off on the drums. Like some others, I'd have bet you added custom guitars to the track. I keep underestimating what this program (and users) is capable of. You can pat your 20 year old self on the back.
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The power of this great ballad still echo's through the generations. Great write Floyd.Rob
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Floyd,
Inviting acoustic right off the bat—makes me want to hear more, and the great vocal also keeps me listening. Some awesome lines lyrically, but overall to me this is missing a hook or shift somewhere in the tune to keep it fresh on the ear—I wish I was wiser musically to better express what I mean. To me, this is so close to going from really good to something special. As it stands, a well done song.
Best regards,
Deej
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Man, what a song! On my second listen as I type this.
Just a tremendous write! And the fact you did it when you were only 20 ... pretty deep stuff.
Love the production on this too, the way you start with just the acoustic and then slowly build intensity by adding in the additional instruments with the drums not coming in until the last chorus, and then that last hanging chord ....
I'm glad you decided to post this, it's an song that should be heard. Dave - thanks for such a fine review... thanks for mentioning the last chord... a "good ending" can often be one of the little things that keep a song in your head for a little longer. I was hoping that would do that... FJ, You ACED IT. In Australia we has a "hit single" in about 84 which essayed some of the things you covered. We were at a stage where we could talk about Vietnam by then - ignore the evil politics of the war and focus on the human story. If you get a chance to look up I Was Only 19 (a walk in the light green) by Redgum you may like it. Is has a different impact to your song but different is always good. Your song has incredible impact and is sung/performed perfectly for the topic, time and purpose. Well done. I Was only 19 - Redgum Oh, it was a hit again a couple of years ago - but as a cover by a hip hop band - odd but that's OK. A mate & I wrote our own - but from the perspective of observing the evacuation... It doesn't have the impact of yours and, as is usual for me, has too many words and not enough emotion - YOU get the balance right. Solong Shuffle - Pygmy Beat ray - I had not heard that before (I Was Only 19 ) - thanks for the link. It is heavier and more dramatic that this! Wow. I enjoyed hearing yours, too. Nice driving rhythm from the guitars. And Terry' flute is really nice... Thanks for stopping by...
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Yes, the final chord, because it ends like Vietnam, just going on, the final chord still there when it 's only a phantom. I still remember the face of the guy who said, they killed my brother, so I'm going over there. Thanks for having a listen, Marty... floyd, The sound you get is always crisp, clean and well balanced. Good choice of instruments and you skillfully added them as the build progressed. The write was advanced considering your age at the time. It shows that you were not immune to the collective feeling at the time of loss of innocence. Your chorus brings that across with some stark images. I was in my teens and twenties at that time and looking back I can say with certainty that the war affected every single person that I knew in one way or another. You have left no doubt that it affected you. Beautifully done, Tom Tom - thanks for such a fine review. I've been working more on the sound/processing of the acoustic guitars to get them to "sit just right" - to cut through the mix, crisp and clear, and still be "subtle". I, too, was in my teens and early twenties then. It was dramatic times.
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Hello, floyd
It is the first time for me to listen to the song of this genre from you.
Your rock songs are wonderful, but also this song is nice.
I thought that it expressed a sad story probably shared by all Americans very well.
I was deeply impressed.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
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I never dreamed I would post this song.
I've never even considered recording it.
This is a snapshot of a specific time in our history.
And the reactions and feelings from certain segments of America.
It tells the story of a "conflicted" veteran. Per our previous PM conversation I'll echo all other comments. One gains many new perspectives when one experiences the true face of war, the brutality of it all and coming to grips of what's expected of you when faced with the challenging circumstances every day. One can't unsee any of the images or reconcile many of the experiences at such a young age. But, no complaints here....that's life. Carry on.....back to topic. Wayne - I really appreciate you giving me your reaction to this prior to posting. It was important that this be "okay" for those who were actually there. I know that we cannot possible know - or even come close to imagining - what that was like. Trying to do so, boggles the mind, breaks my heart and brings a lump in my throat and a tear to the eye... Thanks for your opinion. Thanks for your service. (from your other post - the song is in the key of C - I think... it repeats Am G F G for every line throughout the song. I have always thought that was C, but it might be Am. I don't know enough theory to say definitively).
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Hi floyd jane,
This song has good story. Got a nice feel and moves nicely along. Make's ya realize how good North America has it. Thanks for sharing.
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Wayne - I really appreciate you giving me your reaction to this prior to posting. It was important that this be "okay" for those who were actually there. I know that we cannot possible know - or even come close to imagining - what that was like. Trying to do so, boggles the mind, breaks my heart and brings a lump in my throat and a tear to the eye...
Thanks for your opinion.
Thanks for your service. Your quite welcome Floyd.... You didn't have to inquire with me so I thank you for your courtesy (even though it was not necessary) and your kind words. Ha...oh...it's "mind boggling"...that's for damn sure. Truthfully, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't have images of that part of my life and reminded of how profound the experience was at 18 years old and how it formed who I am today. (After 13 months in country I rotated back to CONUS and was still 19 years old.) I have (3) songs I wrote about that experience but have been done for many years and are not BIAB creations. ( Just Do It on my s/c page and Toy Guns not uploaded yet and the third one is not uploaded yet) Ok....back to topic....thanks again. (That last chord wouldn't be a Badd9...would it?)
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 05/05/18 06:30 AM.
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A very moving and beautifully written song Floyd. It has a superb keening melody that fits the subject matter spot on. It gripped me to the end. That closing unresolved chord was so right - a question left hanging.
I was 18 in 1966 and remember here in the UK there was footage every night on the TV news, often more graphic than is allowed these days. For some strange reason it's common for brave people in the forces to be neglected on their return, as if forgetting them will somehow make forgetting the whole thing easier. We have a shameful record here of not doing more for the maimed who returned from Afghanistan, another unpopular campaign.
John
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Well Floyd, I made it back alive in one piece. Well almost.. I think this song is very powerful as all your songs are, and it was a great experience to take a peek inside the head of the young songwriter, and imagining you with your trusty old Yamaha when she was young, howling at the moon. Great stuff man.
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Great sad song, Floyd
the song is excellent as usual. I like the rock guitar in background.
The subject of the song is a very important subject.
Every war has many impopular heroes.
But they will be heroes FOREVER, and they are the heroes not the others.
I would to extend the lyrics of your song, to the young American soldiers
that hardly fought in Italy during II WWar.
Thanks from an Italian man to you (now after about 60 years) for all these young soldiers surely forever heroes.
Sergio
Sergio
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Floyd,
Very powerful write and great production.Love the ending.
Bringing this from your back pages seems very appropriate to me... just watched the Ken Burns doc- this song would fit there and lose nothing to all the anthems of the day.
Robert Appreciate that, Robert... floyd Excellent writing from a 20 year old (or anyone else for that matter). Great arrangement to go with the lyrics. Going back for another listen. Peter p.s along with the song Ray mentioned another Australian song referencing this issue was Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel. Khe Sanh Peter - Thanks. Seems like y'all had more of those than we did!... Love this song Floyd. Was a very different time back then. Excellent vocal and back track. Your lyrics were powerful. As always you put together a polished professional level song. Thanks for sharing... Thanks for listening, Scott...
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
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È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
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