Music has always served as a powerful mirror reflecting the sentiments and societal shifts of its time, and no era exemplifies this more profoundly than the Vietnam War. From patriotic anthems to poignant protest songs, the music of this period captured the complex emotions surrounding the conflict, mirroring public support, growing disillusionment, and eventual widespread disapproval. The Vietnam era cemented music’s role as a vital public forum for expressing diverse perspectives on war, where critical viewpoints gained unprecedented acceptance and popularity.
Here, we delve into 40 pivotal songs deeply connected to the Vietnam War era, exploring their impact and relevance.
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“We Gotta Get Outta This Place” – The Animals (1965)
While not explicitly written about Vietnam, this song resonated deeply with American troops stationed there. Its themes of longing for escape and a better life became an unofficial anthem for soldiers yearning to return home from the war. -
“Feel Like I’m Fixin To Die Rag” – Country Joe McDonald & The Fish (1965)
Penned by Country Joe McDonald, a Navy veteran, this satirical and darkly humorous tune became an iconic protest song against the Vietnam War. Its cynical lyrics and catchy chorus captured the growing anti-war sentiment. -
“Leavin’ on a Jet Plane” – Peter, Paul, & Mary (1967)
Though not directly about the war, this melancholic ballad became deeply associated with the departure of soldiers heading to Vietnam. Its themes of farewell and uncertainty resonated with both those leaving for service and their loved ones left behind. -
“War” – Edwin Starr (1970)
A raw and impassioned anti-war anthem, “War” surged in popularity during the height of the Vietnam War. Edwin Starr’s powerful vocals and the song’s direct message made it a definitive statement against the conflict. -
“Give Me Love (Peace on Earth)” – George Harrison (1973)
Originally written about the Bangladesh Liberation War, this song’s universal plea for peace transcended its initial context. By the time of its release, it became a poignant anthem for peace as the Vietnam War drew to a close. -
“Susan On the West Coast Waiting” – Donovan (1969)
This folk-pop song tells the story of a young man drafted into the Vietnam War, leaving behind his love. It captures the personal impact of the draft and the anxieties faced by young men and their families during the era. -
“Going Home” – Normie Rowe (1967)
Performed by Australian pop star Normie Rowe, this song became strongly associated with the emotional return of soldiers from Vietnam. It spoke to the relief and readjustment challenges faced by veterans coming home from service. -
“Chicago” – Graham Nash (1971)
While not directly about Vietnam, this song addresses the political turmoil and protests of the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, events deeply intertwined with the anti-war movement and the social upheaval of the Vietnam era. -
“Nineteen” – Paul Hardcastle (1985)
Released well after the war, this synth-pop song served as a stark reminder of the human cost of the Vietnam War. Its title and spoken-word samples highlighted the average age of American soldiers serving in Vietnam, emphasizing the youthfulness of those sent to fight. -
“Vietnam” – The Minutemen (1984)
This punk rock track delivers a concise yet potent critique of the political motivations behind the Vietnam War. The Minutemen’s raw energy and direct lyrics expressed disillusionment with the conflict and its underlying causes. -
“Run Through the Jungle” – Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970)
Though John Fogerty stated the song was about gun proliferation in America, its vivid imagery of jungles and warfare led many to associate it with the Vietnam War. The song’s atmosphere of danger and uncertainty resonated with the experiences of soldiers in Vietnam. -
“Ballad of the Green Berets” – Barry Sadler (1966)
In stark contrast to the growing anti-war sentiment, this patriotic ballad celebrated the heroism and bravery of the Green Berets, the U.S. Army Special Forces. It became a popular song among those who supported the war effort and honored military service. -
“Still in Saigon” – Charlie Daniels Band (1982)
This song poignantly portrays the lingering psychological effects of the Vietnam War on veterans. It tells the story of a drafted soldier haunted by his memories of Vietnam and struggling to readjust to life back home in a divided nation. -
“7 O’Clock News / Silent Night” – Simon and Garfunkel (1966)
This song juxtaposes the peaceful Christmas carol “Silent Night” with a news report detailing escalating tensions and war efforts in Vietnam, including President Nixon’s policies. It created a powerful commentary on the dissonance between the holiday season and the ongoing conflict. -
“All Along the Watchtower” – Bob Dylan (1967) / Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968)
While open to interpretation, many viewed the lyrics of this Bob Dylan song, famously covered by Jimi Hendrix, as reflecting a sense of impending doom and a desire for change related to the Vietnam War and societal unrest. -
“Billy Don’t Be a Hero” – Paper Lace (1974) / Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods (1974)
Released after the peak of the war, this song tells a tragic story of a woman pleading with her lover not to be a hero in battle, only to learn of his death. It highlights the personal tragedies and sacrifices of war. -
“Bungle in the Jungle” – Jethro Tull (1974)
Due to its jungle-themed lyrics and imagery, many listeners interpreted this Jethro Tull song as a metaphor for the Vietnam War, even though it was not explicitly intended as such. -
“Draft Morning” – The Byrds (1968)
This song captures the unsettling experience of receiving a draft notice, facing the reality of being called to serve in Vietnam. It reflects the anxieties and uncertainties surrounding the draft during the Vietnam era. -
“Give Peace a Chance” – John Lennon (1969)
An iconic anthem of the peace movement, John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” became a rallying cry for those opposing the Vietnam War. Its simple, universal message resonated deeply with anti-war demonstrators and activists. -
“Gimme Shelter” – The Rolling Stones (1969)
This song captures a sense of societal breakdown and impending crisis, reflecting the turbulent atmosphere of the late 1960s, heavily influenced by the Vietnam War and its social and political ramifications. -
“I Ain’t Marching Anymore” – Phil Ochs (1965)
A powerful and direct anti-war song by folk singer Phil Ochs, it explicitly rejects participation in war and became a significant protest song as American involvement in Vietnam escalated. -
“I Want To Come Home For Christmas” – Marvin Gaye (1972)
A poignant tribute to American troops serving in Vietnam during the holiday season, Marvin Gaye’s song expresses the deep longing of soldiers to return home for Christmas, highlighting the emotional toll of wartime separation. -
“Masters of War” – Bob Dylan (1963)
Though released earlier, this Bob Dylan song’s condemnation of the military-industrial complex and those who profit from war gained renewed relevance during the Vietnam War era, resonating with anti-war sentiments. -
“Ohio” – Neil Young (1970)
Written in response to the Kent State shootings, where National Guardsmen killed four unarmed student protesters, this Neil Young song became a powerful lament and protest against the violence and divisions fueled by the Vietnam War. -
“Peace Train” – Cat Stevens (1971)
With its hopeful message of peace and unity, Cat Stevens’ “Peace Train” offered a contrasting vision to the ongoing conflict in Vietnam, expressing a desire for an end to war and a more harmonious future. -
“Search and Destroy” – The Stooges (1973)
The aggressive title and lyrics of this proto-punk song directly reference a military strategy employed during the Vietnam War, reflecting the raw and confrontational energy of the era’s counterculture. -
“Sky Pilot” – Eric Burdon and The Animals (1968)
This song tells the story of a military chaplain, a “Sky Pilot,” who blesses soldiers before they go into battle. It explores themes of faith, war, and the role of religion in the context of conflict. -
“Straight To Hell” – The Clash (1982)
Released after the war, this song by The Clash references the tragic plight of children fathered by American soldiers in Vietnam and abandoned, highlighting a painful and often overlooked consequence of the conflict. -
“What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye (1971)
Marvin Gaye’s soulful masterpiece captured the social and political turmoil of the Vietnam era, lamenting the divisions within American society and the struggles faced by young people coming of age during the war. -
“Waist Deep in the Big Muddy” – Pete Seeger (1967)
This allegorical song, using the metaphor of being stuck in muddy water, was widely interpreted as a commentary on the escalating and seemingly futile nature of the Vietnam War. -
“The Unknown Soldier” – The Doors (1968)
With its theatrical and dramatic style, The Doors’ “The Unknown Soldier” depicted the stark reality of war reporting and the anonymity of soldiers’ deaths, contrasting the distant news reports with the human cost of conflict. -
“Question” – The Moody Blues (1970)
This introspective song questions the purpose and futility of war, particularly the Vietnam War, expressing a longing for peace and understanding amidst conflict. -
“Okie from Muskogee” – Merle Haggard (1969)
In contrast to the anti-war movement, Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee” became an anthem for conservative, patriotic Americans who supported the troops and traditional values, reflecting the deep divisions within American society regarding the war. -
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” – John Lennon (1971)
John Lennon’s hopeful Christmas song, born from his and Yoko Ono’s anti-war campaign, delivers a powerful message of peace and envisions a world without war, becoming a lasting holiday anti-war anthem. -
“For What It’s Worth” – Buffalo Springfield (1966)
Often misinterpreted as a direct anti-Vietnam War protest song, “For What It’s Worth” was actually written about civil unrest in California. However, its themes of social tension and conflict resonated with the anti-war movement and the broader anxieties of the Vietnam era. -
“The Unknown Soldier” – The Doors (1968) – Duplicate entry, likely referring to “The End” by The Doors or another song about soldier’s death
It seems there’s a duplicate entry here. Assuming it might be intended to be another song related to the theme of unknown soldiers or the impact of war on individuals, we can consider “The End” by The Doors (1967) as a fitting addition, though loosely related, its epic and dark tone can be seen as reflecting the darker aspects of the era.“The End” – The Doors (1967)
While not explicitly about soldiers, “The End”‘s dramatic and apocalyptic feel, released during the escalating Vietnam War, captured a sense of societal unease and the potential for destruction, resonating with the anxieties of the time. -
“Blacklash Blues” – Nina Simone (1967)
Nina Simone’s powerful blues song, based on a Langston Hughes poem, addressed racial inequality in America during the Civil Rights Movement, a struggle deeply intertwined with the social and political context of the Vietnam War era. It became a powerful expression of Black pride and resilience in a time of turmoil. -
“Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” – Pete Seeger (1955) / The Kingston Trio (1961)
This timeless anti-war folk song, popularized by The Kingston Trio, laments the cyclical nature of war and loss. Its poignant lyrics and gentle melody became a staple of the peace movement and resonated deeply with the anti-Vietnam War sentiment. -
“Silent Night” – Jan Daly on Bob Hope’s Christmas Tour (1971)
The inclusion of “Silent Night” in Bob Hope’s Christmas tours for troops in Vietnam transformed the traditional carol into a symbol of longing for peace and home amidst the war. Jan Daly’s performance on the 1971 tour exemplified this poignant tradition.
Music’s Enduring Legacy of Reflection on War
The Vietnam War era profoundly shaped the landscape of music, establishing a precedent for artists to openly address war and conflict in their work. This tradition of musical reflection on war has continued into the 21st century, encompassing a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Even reflections on post-war experiences, such as remembering fallen soldiers at memorials like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, have found expression in song. Bruce Springsteen’s “The Wall” (2014), for instance, poignantly recounts a visit to the memorial and the act of reconnecting with lost friends, demonstrating the enduring power of music to process grief and honor the fallen.
Album covers of iconic Vietnam War era songs, including featured artwork from the Echoes of the Vietnam War podcast episode “EP18 – Music of the Vietnam Era.”
To further explore the music of this era, listen to the “Music of the Vietnam Era” episode from our podcast, Echoes of the Vietnam War, available at vvmf.org/echoes or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also delve into the companion playlist: Music of the Vietnam Era companion playlist.
