This popped up on the ipod this morning, and I realised I'd never seen footage of the song. But here it is, in all its 1966 glory.
If I was watching this as a child I think I might have been quite scared. Look at that silhouette! But this song, as the Vietnam War was in its infancy, was a US number one for Ssgt Barry Sadler, yes, a real life soldier.
It's a very stirring, ultra-jingoistic call to arms, and you can see why so many volunteered. How different things were by the end of the decade. By the way, where are all the anti-war songs today? No one really cares very much about anything anymore do they?
Anyway, Barry Sadler was shot and killed during a robbery at his home in Guatemala or Honduras in the Seventies, which is a sad end for one so brave.
4 comments:
That whole song is scary, not just the silhouettes!
Me and patriotism don't get along very well.
I only lasted thirty seconds so never got to see if he managed to rhyme "Green Beret" with "My-Lai".
Terrifying, I can imagine it being covered by Robson and Jerome.
Don't remember that one at all - is the entire album on the 5C ipo' or just this tune?
Just this tune, though I do have the whole album on vinyl.
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