As Ricky Gervais once said, the Vietnam War was the one with the best soundtrack, and I told the guys at work I'm gonna make up a 'Nam CD, problem is, I'm struggling to come up with some crackers.
I've checked all the soundtrack listings for the most famous 'nam movies on the IMDB, and so far my list has :
Rolling Stones - Satisfaction and Paint It Black
Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower
The Trashmen - Surfin Bird
The Castaways - Liar Liar
Martha & The Vandellas - Nowhere To Run
The Doors - The End
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Born On The Bayou.
Any and all suggestions are welcome for tracks you think are quintessentially 'nam-tastic.
I've had a look at the good Morning Vietnam soundtack, and to be honest, it's not that great for what I want.
I've looked at the soundtracks for Apocalypse Now, Casualties Of War, Platoon, Born on the 4th of July, Tour of Duty, Full Metal Jacket, and those songs above are the best of the bunch....
There WAS a Bo Dylan one mentioned, but I didn't like the sound of it.
I want songs that wouldn't sound out of place on a chopper ride over the jungle !!!
I've always found Barber's Adagio for Strings (Platoon) and Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" (Apocalypse Now) two of the most memorable pieces of music that I always associate with Vietnam.
How about:
'War' by Edwyn Starr?
'Charlie Don't Surf' by The Clash?
'Going Up The Country' by Canned Heat?
'The Boxer' by Simon & Garfunkel?
'Suzanne' by Leonard Cohen?
lucretia macevil blood sweat &tears
red beans and rice booker t & the mg's
wooden ships crosby stills and nash
mr soul buffalo springfield
for what its worth buffalo springfield
them changes buddy miles
so you want to be a rock & roll star byrds
hey big brother rare earth
third stone from the sun jimi hendrix
in a gadda da vida iron butterfly
allright now free
friday on my mind easy beats
sunshine superman donovan
sunshine of your love cream
keep on chooglin' creedence clearwater revival
not anti war songs but a great soundtrack if you flying across south east asia in a huey
in a huey
These are all great guys, thanks for your input, more is welcome.
I'd like to include Ride of the Valkryies and Adagio for Strings, but I'm afraid some of the philistines I work with would just hit the "next track" button on those two.
And I HAD cheched out White rabbit on the recommendation of one of my workmates, but its another song that just doesnt sound right for the CD.
My basic brief is songs that wouldn't sound out of place in a 'nam action sequence, songs that remind you of the glory of battle, about guns, explosions, napalm, all big balls to the wall 'nam songs.