Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.

Friday, September 22, 2017

Outstanding Music Soundtrack to the New Ken Burns "Vietnam War" Series


As much as I am interested in the events and background of the war as it plays out on the TV, that soundtrack is something else.  This would make a great album to have the whole of each song.  I'd buy it.

I was listening to one of my pre-recorded cassette tapes "Twenty Great Oldies-- Vol. 7" as I was typing away yesterday, and B.J. Thomas' "Billy and Sue" came on.  This is one of those songs that brings back the Vietnam War for me.It was his third single release after he had had great success with his first one, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" by Hank Williams which went to #8 on the pop charts in 1966.

He then released "Mama" (#22--1966 and then "Billy and Sue" (#34--1966).

Billy and Sue met in high school and planned to get married, but then he got drafted for you-know-what war.  While he was out fighting Sue started running around and stopped sending letters.  Finally she sent one and it read "Dear John."

"A look came over Billy that would scare a ghost
Of a million soldiers -- coast to coast
And even though the air was filled with lead
Billy jumped up They shot him dead.

Billy was buried in a far away grave that read
'FOR HIS COUNTRY -- HE GAVE HIS LIFE'
But the epitaph -- was only a part
he didn't die from a bullet but  he died
From a broken heart."

The Music of a War.  --RoadBilly

LIFE'S LITTLE TRUTHS (Final One):  Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of of chocolate cake.  (Or, cupcakes)




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