War, like love, has long inspired artists and musicians. That is especially true of the songs written in response to during the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 鈥�70s. The songs released in that time 鈥� and in the years that followed 鈥� sought to highlight the experiences of those affected by combat and in a period of societal upheaval.
This month marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon. Below, explore 11 songs from the 1960s through the 2010s about the conflict, from artists around the world. You can listen to the tracks on
鈥淪aigon Bride,鈥� Joan Baez (1967)
Based on a poem sent to by Nina Duschek, 鈥淪aigon Bride鈥� is emblematic of 鈥�60s folk music and tells the story of a solider who goes to war, leaving his wife behind. 鈥淗ow many dead men will it take / To build a dike that will not break?鈥� she sings in her soft vibrato. 鈥淗ow many children must we kill / Before we make the waves stand still?鈥�
鈥溎惼搬粷ng Tr瓢峄漬g S啤n xe anh qua,鈥� V膬n Dung (1968)
V膬n Dung鈥檚 鈥澞惼搬粷ng Tr瓢峄漬g S啤n xe anh qua鈥� (鈥淭he Truong Son Road Your Vehicles Passed Through鈥�) is written about an expansive system of paths and trails used by North Vietnam to bring troops and supplies into South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during the war. Dung wrote the song in 1968, when he arrived at the front, about female youth volunteers. There are many wonderful covers of this one, too, including a theatrical rendition by Tr峄峮g T岷.
鈥淔ortunate Son,鈥� Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)
It may very well be the first song that comes to mind when the Vietnam War is brought up. Creedence Clearwater Revival's three-time platinum is a benchmark by which to compare the efficacy of all other protest anthems. wrote this one to highlight what he viewed as an innate hypocrisy: American leaders perpetuating war while protecting themselves from making the same sacrifices they asked of the public. 鈥淵eah-yeah, some folks inherit star-spangled eyes,鈥� he sings. 鈥淗oo, they send you down to war, Lord.鈥�
鈥淚 Should Be Proud,鈥� Martha Reeves & the Vandellas (1970)
鈥淚 Should Be Proud鈥� is conflicted. Soul singer Reeves embodies a narrator who learns her love has been killed in combat during the Vietnam War. Instead of being filled with pride for his sacrifice, she grieves. 鈥淏ut I don鈥檛 want no silver star,鈥� she sings. 鈥淛ust the good man they took from me.鈥�
鈥淐a Dao M岷�,鈥� Tr峄媙h C么ng S啤n (1970)
The Vietnamese singer-songwriter Tr峄媙h C么ng S啤n has a rich catalog featuring a myriad of anti-war songs; selecting just one is a challenge. But 鈥淐a Dao M岷光�� (鈥淎 Mother鈥檚 Lullaby鈥�) is a clear standout. It details a mother鈥檚 sacrifice during wartime. In the last verse, the mother sings a lullaby to her child and also the young country. Vietnamese singer Kh谩nh Ly does a lovely cover of it, too.
鈥淥hio,鈥� Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1971)
On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard during a protest at Kent State University. Four students were killed, and nine others were injured. Not all of those hurt or killed were involved in the demonstration, which opposed the U.S. bombing of neutral Cambodia during the Vietnam War. was sitting on a porch with when he saw images of the horrific event in a magazine and decided to write a song about it. 鈥淲hat if you knew her and found her dead on the ground?鈥� he sang.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 Going On,鈥� Marvin Gaye (1971)
There isn鈥檛 an emotion couldn't perfectly articulate with his rich tone; the classic 鈥淲hat鈥檚 Going On鈥� is no exception. The song was originally inspired by an act of police brutality in 1969 ; when it got to Gaye, it was imbued with experiences gleaned from his brother, a Vietnam veteran. The message, of course, is timeless.
鈥淗appy Xmas (War Is Over),鈥� John Lennon, Yoko Ono, The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir (1971)
There isn鈥檛 a lot of overlap with Christmas songs and protest music, but Yoko Ono, the Plastic Ono Band and the Harlem Community Choir certainly knew how to get their message across with 鈥淗appy Xmas (War Is Over).鈥� It's a smart choice 鈥� combining the sweetness of a holiday tune with a message of unity 鈥� delivered with guitar, piano, chimes and, most effective of all, a children's choir.
鈥淏ack to Vietnam,鈥� Television Personalities (1984)
Formed the year punk broke 鈥� that鈥檚 1977, two years after the end of the Vietnam War 鈥� English post-punk band Television Personalities are a cult favorite for their cheeky, ramshackle, clever pop songs, led by frontman Dan Treacy鈥檚 undeniable schoolboy charm. The final track on their 1984 album 鈥淭he Painted Word,鈥� however, tells a different story. 鈥淏ack to Vietnam鈥� describes an insomniac man experiencing wartime post-traumatic stress disorder, replete with the sounds of gunshots and screams.
鈥淎gent Orange,鈥� Sodom (1989)
German thrash metal band Sodom鈥檚 1989 album 鈥淎gent Orange鈥� put their extreme music on the map, even breaking into the Top 40 in their native country. Beyond its ferocious pleasures, the album centers on lead vocalist and principal songwriter Tom Angelripper鈥檚 fascination with the Vietnam War, leading with the opening title track. / Spray down the death,鈥� he releases a throaty scream.
鈥淭he Wall,鈥� Bruce Springsteen (2014)
Dedicated fans of the Boss know 鈥淭he Wall鈥� is one held onto for a while; he performed it at a 2002 benefit long before its official release on his 2014 album 鈥淗igh Hopes.鈥� The song was inspired by a trip he took to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. 鈥淭his black stone and these hard tears,鈥� he sings in the first verse, 鈥渁re all I got left now of you.鈥�
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For more coverage of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War鈥檚 end, visit .
Maria Sherman, The Associated Press
