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Joined: Jul 2013
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Because of a discussion on another forum, I dug this song out of the ashes. I never intended to ever record this. It is about the war in Vietnam - written by a 20 year-old in 1975. (me). This is a snapshot of a specific time in our history. And the reactions and feelings from certain segments of America. It tells the story of a "conflicted" veteran. And how he (and others like him) were treated by a small, but very vocal group of the Americans he had gone to war for. This sentiment, fortunately, no longer seems to exists. But it ripped the fabric of America at the time. We have healed. The Wall commemorates those who gave their lives for the ideals of America. Those who returned no longer face the anger and ridicule that some chose to greet them with at the time. That should give us all hope for the future. Again, keep in mind this was written in 1975. (and I was 20). A snapshot in time. UNPOPULAR HERO i was raised in the bible belt by mom and apple pie all my life i pledged allegiance while the stars and stipes would fly and when my notice came the canadian border never crossed my mind like my grampa, my dad and my uncles i was proud to serve my time unpopular hero in an unpopular war i was still a virgin she stood leaning in the door she just wants her pay she don't want my love she just want her pay i read the history they wrote i saw the movies they made audey murphy, john wayne and my dad came home to ticker tape parades but when we came home no one looked us in the eye we didn't want to talk of it but no one asked us why unpopular hero in an unpopular war we were all just virgins she stood leaning in the door she just wants her pay she don't want my love she just want her pay i've got pictures you don't want to see swirling through my head every day i fight to forget my fight is all but dead go ahead, ignore us maybe we'll go away will anyone mention vietnam come memorial day unpopular hero in an unpopular war sixty thousand virgins please no more it's too much to pay it's too much to pay floyd
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Great story, Floyd:
It was too much to pay. Any war fought without the thought of total victory is a waste of lives and time. The events at Kent State made me super angry... and not at the National Guard. I had come home from serving out in the Pacific and barely missed being caught up in this. Instead, I was employed in an ammunition plant and we were busy three shifts and sometimes seven days a week making bombs and all their components to support our troops.
Events on the west coast insulting our returning troops also made my blood boil. I won't forget... but I'll always be grateful for what these guys went through for us. A war we could have won in thirty days if the stupid politicians had mustered the courage to turn our troops loose.
I don't really believe we've healed as a Nation... but I'm frequently wrong. Thanks for telling this in such an impressive write and performance. A story needing to be told. ----Dave
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Wow Floyd. What a powerful lyric and written at 20, no less. It is a brilliant lyric imo and wonderful performance, as well. I was 12 in 75, but remember being a kid at the table listening to the adults in spirited discussions on whether we should be there. Some of those discussions got real loud and somewhat aggressive. If it means anything, your song brought me back to that time. Well done.
Dave
Last edited by GocartMoz; 05/12/18 10:07 PM.
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In the UK we had our own issues with the Irish Troubles as they were called. Guys like John Lennon were very vocal and anti war in any form but never came up with real solutions to end them.Only give peace a chance. As did McCartney. with Give Ireland back to the Irish which was banned by the BBC,but they tried. I like your new old song Floyd it's a good story and with plenty of history and a glimpse of the attitudes of the time to back it up Excellent song all round, Travis
Last edited by Travis david; 05/13/18 02:59 AM.
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Oscar Wilde
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Thanks for the listen Calvin Anthony
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Great story, Floyd:
It was too much to pay. Any war fought without the thought of total victory is a waste of lives and time. The events at Kent State made me super angry... and not at the National Guard. I had come home from serving out in the Pacific and barely missed being caught up in this. Instead, I was employed in an ammunition plant and we were busy three shifts and sometimes seven days a week making bombs and all their components to support our troops.
Events on the west coast insulting our returning troops also made my blood boil. I won't forget... but I'll always be grateful for what these guys went through for us. A war we could have won in thirty days if the stupid politicians had mustered the courage to turn our troops loose.
I don't really believe we've healed as a Nation... but I'm frequently wrong. Thanks for telling this in such an impressive write and performance. A story needing to be told. ----Dave Dave - I had a feeling this would resonate with you. I appreciate getting your thoughts on it. There are, of course, two sides (or more) to every story and I attempted to touch on them both in this - so that every listener could take away something from this.... Thanks, Martin.... Wow Floyd. What a powerful lyric and written at 20, no less. It is a brilliant lyric imo and wonderful performance, as well. I was 12 in 75, but remember being a kid at the table listening to the adults in spirited discussions on whether we should be there. Some of those discussions got real loud and somewhat aggressive. If it means anything, your song brought me back to that time. Well done.
Dave Dave - thanks for the listen. Those were certainly tumultuous times. A divide nation. We seem even more so now - for different reasons. Hopefully we will get through this, too...
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Joined: Jul 2013
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In the UK we had our own issues with the Irish Troubles as they were called. Guys like John Lennon were very vocal and anti war in any form but never came up with real solutions to end them.Only give peace a chance. As did McCartney. with Give Ireland back to the Irish which was banned by the BBC,but they tried. I like your new old song Floyd it's a good story and with plenty of history and a glimpse of the attitudes of the time to back it up Excellent song all round, Travis
Thanks, Travis.... Thanks, Calvin.... Thanks for the listen Calvin Anthony I'm sorry.... I think you got a wrong number...
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Another good one, Floyd. Stripped down, nice sound.
Fine lyric, especially the analogy in verse/chorus.
Vic
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Hi Floyd.
I really liked how you expressed your sentiments without being overly-passionate or cynical as many anti-war or anti-anything seems to do. Just an honest appraisal and heartfelt delivery. Those vets unpopular perhaps to some, but really more "unrecognized" by many who were just generally disgusted and wanted to move on. I'm glad today the Nam vets are recognized for their service, a bit late however. A lot of us 60+ around here remember well those days and the youth culture surrounding those times. I didn't have to go to Nam, while in college, but was prepared to go if called after graduation--not needed, drew #179 in the draft lotto! -- but I didn't wear that gratification on my sleeve, as several of my friends did go, a couple acquaintances didn't come back.
Glad you brought this one out of the ashes.
Thanks Floyd.
steady-eddie
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Hi Floyd,
I listen to your song it is awesome. You telling that story in a song it is Amazing. "Unpopular Hero" Very nice title and brilliant! brilliant! lyric. Well written and sung. Good job.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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Cool Song and I like it. I am working on a Musical called "NAM THE MUSICAL".....all about this. I write lots of songs about that era as I went through a lot of it. My idea for the musical is 4 different guys and their stories.....A Protester, An Draftee, A Go Hung RA and a Badly wounded guy. I have a few songs but still need somebody good to write the stories.....BUT I might have to write it myself. It's on one of my Facebook pages.....
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