I was a young kid mowing lawns when the Tet Ofense was happening. A Verteran of the Korean War was reading the paper as i finished mowing his lawn. He threw down the paper in disgust and said, "When will our politicians learn we cannot buy world peace with American blood!"
My Daddy went to Vietnam and Korea he served the Air Force for 35 years then he served after the service I loved my Daddy more than he could have ever known he was Amazing Daddy❤
I loved this as a child. I didn't know what it meant then. Now (2024) I love sharing these old songs with my kids and explaining the meaning! We had great songs, they meant something and were all unique!
I had these three favs: Billy Don't Be A Hero, Run Joey Run, and The Night Chicago Died......and played them over and over and over and over...... The absolute best music in the history of music was made in the 70s and 80s. Rock on Xers!
I was 9 years old when this song came out. Listening to it now brings back a distinct memory of listening to it at bedtime on my handheld am/fm transistor radio. It moved me then as it moves me now. A perfectly crafted song for its era and it still resonates today. No doubt in my mind that music in itself is a Time Machine. ❤
It reminds me of my grandfathers sister,She lost her Fiancé in world war 2,she never found a new partner,she lived with my great grandparents untill they died,She never wanted to find someone either,I always felt sorry for her,She was of cause saving herself till she was married & after losing him she was never with a man like that her whole life,no kids of cause,she has passed away now ,I hope they are together now,😢
I was just 8 yrs old , now at 57 this song has still stuck with me and i’ve never forgotten it. I played it all the time on my parents record player. I retired from the Army after 22 yrs . I wonder if this song had anything to do with it .. awesome song.
Many attribute the song to the Vietnam war, others have commented that it is about the Civil War due to the video. This song, even if written for a particular war, is just as meaningful to today's wars as it can be applied to any wars in the past few hundred years. There have always been men, and women as well, that have given their lives for their fellow soldiers, and there have always been loved ones at home, waiting for their soldier that will never return.
A combination of both I guess. When I first heard it in '74 I immediately thought of the Civil War ( I think because I was learning about it in history at the time). I've never seen this video before though.
The connection to the Civil War is not because of this video. Listen to the lyrics. "Soldier blues," as in Union soldiers wearing blue uniforms. US Army doesn't have blue uniforms, either during the Vietnam War or since. Billy needs to ride out for reinforcements. A platoon in Vietnam would just radio for help.
The US army hasn't used blue uniforms either BDUs or dress since before Word war 1. So the US Civil war makes more sense than Vietnam, could have been set during the Indian wars as well to be fair.
My James went to VietNam he didn't make it back . we had our plans made when he would come back all of our dreams laid on the VietNam ground when they killed him I always remember the last time I said good by
@@aaronlaing4244 Thank you life goes on and many years later I did find another love and married but my first love will always have a special place in my heart for ever and I know someday I will see him again in Heaven
I grew up in Smithwick, West Midlands. ..England. ..the summer holidays were so nice. ...slangles coke flavoured. ...walkers cheese and onion crisps. ...British bands were so great
What is a slangle? Coke flavored slangle.. it sounds wonderful. Yes British bands were great. I still listen to at least one Led Zeppelin song every day. Especially live bootlegs
I cry every time I hear this thinking of some of my cousins, neighbors & others who never made it home from Vietnam, I was just a kid when I saw the military car pull up to my neighbors house & everybody was standing in the front yards & I still hear the scream & wailing from Mrs. Bart haunts me til this day.
Absolutely agree... From a time when we could sing all the words of the entire top 20 each week... ( And no lyrics easily accessible on line ) .... Those were the days... !
My history teacher would play this a lot and hum. At some point it came back to my head and it’s so good to listen again . Salute 🫡 to those who gave there life to fight for this country condolences to those who lost a loved one for fighting for this country they are hero’s in my book.
Do you recall a similar song by Paul McCartney and Wings around the same time, called Listen to What the Man Said? Soldier boy, kisses girl Leaves behind a tragic world (Or something to that effect...)
My late husband's name was 'Billy' and we eloped from college - I was a freshman and he was a junior. The college was 24/7 military for the men, and of course I knew I would be an officer's wife before I was even 20, but I guess I didn't count on anything bad happening. We had a son during finals his senior year and our daughter was born right after he graduated from Ranger School, having finished Airborne that summer. We had orders for Hawaii, asked for surface (ship) transport, and got it! We thought life could not be much better. Oh, we were 'poor' - even a 1st Lt made very little $ in 1965, but we soon found a house on Sunset Beach right next door to our neighbors from Benning - Life was amazing! Our son was bright and mischievous and our daughter a beautiful baby. But back to the song - it came out about 1968, I think, but it always broke my heart since my Billy was killed in September 1965, and at 22 I was a widow. And this song always reminded me of him. He thought nothing bad could ever happen to him! That part 'don't be a fool with your life' for me should say, 'and come home to your wife'.
Diane sorry to ask but you don't regret any of it makes you think a lot about the song billy don't be a hero Diane if you want to have a chat give me a shout
I remember I was 9 years old and just started waking up to how evil this world was just heard people put razor blades in Halloween candies and then learned about the war it was hard for my 9-year-old mind to grasp that we kill each other and I asked my Dad would I have to go to war? he told me the truth he didn't know how I wish this world was as it was when I was 8 and the world looked so beautiful without hate or death sometimes ignorance is bliss.
Billy Yank and Johnny Reb. This song was about The war between the States, but it could easily be applied to the Vietnam War or any other war. God bless our troops!!! God bless the United States Army!!! 🇺🇸
As the original singing drummer on this record and just to put a few facts straight, Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods covered the song after we had a number one with it in the UK, also the girls part was sung by Joanne Stone formerly Williams a great and gifted session singer. Let's face it people, it's a popular song not Beethoven's 5th and I for one am very greatful
It's a good tune. I like it. Like you said sir, it isn't Mozart ( well you said Beethoven but he point is the same) but most stuff isn't any. Anyway I enjoyed and thank you guys for making it.
It marked an era, and it stayed in my heart and my head since I was an emotional post Vietnam teen. It was shared with my children and grandchildren. When I post it on Facebook it is inundated with responses full of memories. I tried that with Beethoven and nothing. Thank you Philip Wright. You still don't miss a beat. = )
Hi Philip , didnt know Joanne Stone sang on it , very beautiful lady taken way too soon , was sad to read recently of Russels passing too , best wishes
do you remember Butlins, not sure if it was minehead or pwelli, a guitarist was ill, I stood in and even managed to hit a few correct chords...that same weekend so many people got food poisoning and I'm sure the guitarist was one of the first to go down with it...anyways, is was a laff!!!!!
I love this song because it portrays the love of a woman who does not want to be proud of the man she is with, she just wants to have him there to love because she is proud of him already. Why do we always have to strive for more instead of appreciating what is right there in front of us? This is a never ending road we travel and sometimes it takes us round and round in circles. Sometimes it brings us home.
Everyone there had someone waiting for them back home too. They all would have died if someone didn't volunteer. But hey, fuck em I guess! The girlfriend in this story is a complete bitch.
@@ernestturriziani2489 If I loved money, I would never have married two soldiers! I love GOOD men, who are brave and love our country as much as I do. When my Billy was commissioned a 2nd Lt., he brought home $222/mo and we had a baby. I am still married to a soldier and after 57 years he gave me the mortgage to our home and told me it was ours! He waited on me when was sick with COVID and again when I finally came home after 6 weeks in the hospital. He did it again when I had spinal surgery, and we both cried when we had to put our little Japanese Chin down after loving him for 13 years! YES I would marry a soldier all over again - most are REAL men!
Yet look how many people getting all misty eyed about soldiers and all that rubbish, the total antithesis of the message this song conveys as you rightly say
I was little when i discovered this song on an album at home i played it continuously my dad was called billy sadly passed now. I still play the song. He truly was and will always be my hero!
My Mom died when this came out . I was 5, the youngest of 4.... My Uncle just came out of Vietnam only to Man up once again, to collect us 4 kids from grade-school, for my Father to give the news. This will always be a imprint in my heart!😪💕💕💕
This song always reminds me of my late mum...she had this on record as a school girl. Imagine my surprise and delight when one of the guys walks into work a few months ago to play for us! He comes and entertains us quite often, I just wish mum knew. ❤
So SORRY for your loss. WOW, yeah that would be a HUGE surprise to have this played for you. That is GREAT that he was/is able to entertain you all from time to time. GOD BLESS!!!
It is 9:30 pm my time & I've been listening to the classics from my time for 2 hours here on TH-cam when I should be settling into bed. Can't help it, they are just to good to pass by.
I was young when I would hear it on the radio, it got a lot of air time. Even then I learnt that war and military was serious business and you could lose your life at any moment on a battlefield.
My grandfather's name was Billy. And he was meant to go to war in Egypt. But as a train driver, he was too valuable here in England. This song was played at his funeral just over 2 years ago. Makes me cry everytime I listen to it
I was only 3 years old when this song came out and I started singing it to my ONE & ONLY ONE BROTHER I HAVE NAMED " BILLY" JUST BECAUSE OF HIM HAVING THAT NAME
I'm not surprised mate, it would make me cry too having to listen to that load of crap...Couldn't you take the record and smash it up when they weren't looking?
My mom used to sing this to us before bed when I was little....Man the things you never know you would miss the most in life...priceless moments like this, I'd give the world for...if I knew then what I know now I would've showed her how much I LOVE HER...!! I WOULDN'T HAVE LEFT HER SIDE FOR ONE BIT WHEN SHE FOUND OUT SHE HAD CANCER...IF ONLY I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW....I LOVE YOU MOM MAY I REST WITH THE ANGELS UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.!! R.I.P Yogi Martinez.!💕
My used to sing this with my mum when she was young, she then sang it to me when I was little. I now sing it to my kids. Three generations dancing and singing to this tune.
Veronica Goodan I was one of the rare kids back then that actually listened to the lyrics of the songs of the era... that were filled with content about all the bad things happening. But please... have yourself a pleasant valley Sunday.
I remember walking into a music store and buying this album. My very first album. I remember the store owner gave a plastic harmonica free. It was 43 years ago and I was 4. Seems like yesterday.
I wasn't born until 1975 and the world is better for it because there's no way I could've stayed out of jail had I witnessed anyone disrespecting a soldier/marine/airman etc
Karen I've always loved this song from when they first sang it.,because of the lyrics mostly. I can't even imagine what you recollect when you hear it. I hope you just remember the lad you loved and lost.
unfortunately they are something else,, mainly gullible enough to enlist for a cause contrived simply to garner oil profit from countries they have no business stealing from or meddling with at all. Pawns, and cannon fodder. Sad how greed controls, and ends, so many human lives.
What the song tries to convey is that we shouldn’t paint them as heroes with honor, when in reality their superiors see them as disposable pawns. “I heard she threw the letter away” She rejected the values of the military cause they’re ultimately fake:(
I was 11 years old in year 6 at school when this came out. Now 61 and retired. Where did all those years go? This song is still as powerful today as it was 50 years ago.
This so reminds me of my brother Billy who passed away due to an accident 12 years ago aged 42 Ive always loved this song even though he hated it love and miss you Billy I've now got tears in my eyes
I remember this so well my friends from Drama club gave me a small party as I was going into the Army this was the song we played ....brings back bittersweet memories
Just found this song like...four days ago, and I just keep playing it. It is poignant, catchy, and tells a sad story. It makes you contemplate the reality of heroes, people who choose to selflessly travel the path angels fear to tread, and how in that moment they forget about those waiting for them at home. A lot of epithets and compliments can be sent at heroes, from being too reckless, or having more bravery than sense. Most of them coming from pain or grief... Some wondering why they did something like that, why did they take that risk, and for many it was duty, love, the job, or even reckless bravery... In all cases it was...tragic.
This brings back some happy memories as my Wife & I met at Butlins Minehead 38 years ago, Paper Lace were on at Barnums they always played Billy as their last song & always brought the house down we are listening to it again in 2023 an it’s just as good today as is our love for each other x
I was a young kid mowing lawns when the Tet Ofense was happening. A Verteran of the Korean War was reading the paper as i finished mowing his lawn. He threw down the paper in disgust and said, "When will our politicians learn we cannot buy world peace with American blood!"
now they use foreign blood :)
My 80 year old Father fought in Vietnam. I was a Marine.
You still are😊
Thank you for your service 🙏 ❤️
@@pamelavandervennet8405 He didn't say he served
My father fought and turned 80 this June.
@@martinjames6431 if he was a marine what do you think that means??
My Daddy went to Vietnam and Korea he served the Air Force for 35 years then he served after the service I loved my Daddy more than he could have ever known he was Amazing Daddy❤
What a brave and honourable man. He's a Hero as are all the Armed Forces
Believe me, hon, he knew how much you love him✌🏼
@billhorstkamp98 I also believe that her dad would definitely know, how much she loved him. He would would have always loved her
Respect 🙏
I’m 58. This song made me cry as a little girl and it makes me cry now.
Yeh me too 😢
@@lisatarrant7053 me too 1-1 1966
Just hearing the drums in the beginning always got me started.
And dammit, they still do.
Too many memories about 'Nam, none of them good.
I'm 48, Same.
me too! i am 63 and aboy
Still My Favorite Song Still Listening In 2024
This song made number one on Tuesday 12th March 1974. I was born at 5am on Wednesday. I've no recollection of either event.
On my birthday 🎉
@@peanutbutter3566 Nice one!
I remember that😂✌🏼
😂😂
When this song came out, I had 2 brothers go to Vietnam and only 1 came back! He's been MIA for 48 years, this year!! We won't give up hope!!
That’s so sad. Good luck.
Really? Wouldn't you like closure? To rest his memory? Would drive me nuts
Love this song,
I was 9 years old when this song came out. I am 57 now, how time passes
Oh so you old old
This is the memory of my late cousin. RIP. Jim
So sorry for your loss😢. Hopefully he rests in peace.
I loved this as a child. I didn't know what it meant then. Now (2024) I love sharing these old songs with my kids and explaining the meaning! We had great songs, they meant something and were all unique!
I had these three favs: Billy Don't Be A Hero, Run Joey Run, and The Night Chicago Died......and played them over and over and over and over......
The absolute best music in the history of music was made in the 70s and 80s. Rock on Xers!
Me too!
I was 9 years old when this song came out. Listening to it now brings back a distinct memory of listening to it at bedtime on my handheld am/fm transistor radio. It moved me then as it moves me now. A perfectly crafted song for its era and it still resonates today. No doubt in my mind that music in itself is a Time Machine. ❤
My most favourite song from the 70s
A Boyfriend of mine passed only.19.
I think of you alot Patrick Higgins.
Never forgotten to this day.xx
Very nice you still remember
❤❤❤❤
SemperFi God Speed
💔
I'll be turning 66,this month,i have always this song!
This is a very sad song.I always cry when I listen to this song.
It reminds me of my grandfathers sister,She lost her Fiancé in world war 2,she never found a new partner,she lived with my great grandparents untill they died,She never wanted to find someone either,I always felt sorry for her,She was of cause saving herself till she was married & after losing him she was never with a man like that her whole life,no kids of cause,she has passed away now ,I hope they are together now,😢
My brother Billy was in Vietnam when this song came out. So it always had a special meaning to me..
Not possible the song came out in 1974. Long after the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam
I was just 8 yrs old , now at 57 this song has still stuck with me and i’ve never forgotten it. I played it all the time on my parents record player. I retired from the Army after 22 yrs . I wonder if this song had anything to do with it .. awesome song.
Thank you for your service. May God Bless you!!
Thank you for your service.
@bryanlloyd9916.Thank you so very much for your service and dedication to your country...God bless you
I was 10 and wore out that 45!!!❤ Still in all mg playlists..
Thank you for your service
Many attribute the song to the Vietnam war, others have commented that it is about the Civil War due to the video. This song, even if written for a particular war, is just as meaningful to today's wars as it can be applied to any wars in the past few hundred years. There have always been men, and women as well, that have given their lives for their fellow soldiers, and there have always been loved ones at home, waiting for their soldier that will never return.
Exactly, in the same way that MASH was set in Korea, it was very much about the Vietnam war... and for that matter, any wars that followed.
A combination of both I guess. When I first heard it in '74 I immediately thought of the Civil War ( I think because I was learning about it in history at the time). I've never seen this video before though.
The connection to the Civil War is not because of this video. Listen to the lyrics. "Soldier blues," as in Union soldiers wearing blue uniforms. US Army doesn't have blue uniforms, either during the Vietnam War or since. Billy needs to ride out for reinforcements. A platoon in Vietnam would just radio for help.
I always thought it was about The Jigetts beating The Squeegees on Davy and Goliath on Sat. morning!
The US army hasn't used blue uniforms either BDUs or dress since before Word war 1. So the US Civil war makes more sense than Vietnam, could have been set during the Indian wars as well to be fair.
Vietnam Oct 16, 1970! On behalf of a grateful nation ! We regret to inform you. God Bless you Babe ♡♡♡♡
My James went to VietNam he didn't make it back . we had our plans made when he would come back all of our dreams laid on the VietNam ground when they killed him I always remember the last time I said good by
Sorry for your loss.
So so sorry May he Rip
@@ronasilverman3675 Thank You
So sorry for your loss
@@aaronlaing4244 Thank you life goes on and many years later I did find another love and married but my first love will always have a special place in my heart for ever and I know someday I will see him again in Heaven
I grew up in Smithwick, West Midlands. ..England. ..the summer holidays were so nice. ...slangles coke flavoured. ...walkers cheese and onion crisps. ...British bands were so great
What is a slangle? Coke flavored slangle.. it sounds wonderful. Yes British bands were great. I still listen to at least one Led Zeppelin song every day. Especially live bootlegs
cor just found this by chance... fantastic song . takes me back❤
Takes me back to the 1970s,My dad always had the record player on,Takes me back to being a kid,
I was in high school in 74 had class mates drafted to Vietnam in the 70s I'm 67 now and still listening to this
All time classic my good friend Tony c used to sing this in the pub rip Tony ❤
I cry every time I hear this thinking of some of my cousins, neighbors & others who never made it home from Vietnam, I was just a kid when I saw the military car pull up to my neighbors house & everybody was standing in the front yards & I still hear the scream & wailing from Mrs. Bart haunts me til this day.
This song has so many emotions, I cried at the end, this is a timeless melody
@Things on the ocean agreed. It’s a timeless plot for a song and millions have experienced it in real life.
To jest ponadczasowe♥️
❤❤❤
Back in a day when they could take a subject matter and write a complete song around it THAT YOU UNDERSTOOD
Absolutely agree... From a time when we could sing all the words of the entire top 20 each week... ( And no lyrics easily accessible on line ) .... Those were the days... !
My history teacher would play this a lot and hum. At some point it came back to my head and it’s so good to listen again . Salute 🫡 to those who gave there life to fight for this country condolences to those who lost a loved one for fighting for this country they are hero’s in my book.
The 'boys,' who were lost and so many women without a man in this time period.
Sorry to hear that, God bless you and may Trump win in 2024
That Draft Dodger!!! Donnie had bone spurs so bad he couldn't go to Nam, but somehow has managed to play golf everyday, with no pain in his feet!!
@lizvogler4238 what about that draft dodging Biden? Bone spurs on his brain maybe?
@@lizvogler4238 He dodged bullet…literally. “Fools go in where wise men feared to tread “. 🧐
I was 6 when this was a hit. Its etched as one of the first songs I can remember clearly.
@@Sam-qm1io oh
Do you recall a similar song by Paul McCartney and Wings around the same time, called Listen to What the Man Said?
Soldier boy, kisses girl
Leaves behind a tragic world
(Or something to that effect...)
@@sarahdixon6011 Sorry for being rude...I was just trolling.
@@Sam-qm1io Ah Wings?
The band the Beatles could have been........
The title reads 'Sir Paul McCartney and Wings...'
My late husband's name was 'Billy' and we eloped from college - I was a freshman and he was a junior. The college was 24/7 military for the men, and of course I knew I would be an officer's wife before I was even 20, but I guess I didn't count on anything bad happening. We had a son during finals his senior year and our daughter was born right after he graduated from Ranger School, having finished Airborne that summer. We had orders for Hawaii, asked for surface (ship) transport, and got it! We thought life could not be much better. Oh, we were 'poor' - even a 1st Lt made very little $ in 1965, but we soon found a house on Sunset Beach right next door to our neighbors from Benning - Life was amazing! Our son was bright and mischievous and our daughter a beautiful baby. But back to the song - it came out about 1968, I think, but it always broke my heart since my Billy was killed in September 1965, and at 22 I was a widow. And this song always reminded me of him. He thought nothing bad could ever happen to him! That part 'don't be a fool with your life' for me should say, 'and come home to your wife'.
this is a beautiful story.
So sad. Someday, maybe, we will learn that no one wins at war
true, you only have to walk around the war cemeteries of Northern France to see that.
Diane sorry to ask but you don't regret any of it makes you think a lot about the song billy don't be a hero Diane if you want to have a chat give me a shout
Diane Sanfilippo
Loved this song back in 1974 and still do.❤️❤️😥
I just love it too..love songs that tell a story 😁
O-H!
I do too
I remember I was 9 years old and just started waking up to how evil this world was just heard people put razor blades in Halloween candies and then learned about the war it was hard for my 9-year-old mind to grasp that we kill each other and I asked my Dad would I have to go to war? he told me the truth he didn't know how I wish this world was as it was when I was 8 and the world looked so beautiful without hate or death sometimes ignorance is bliss.
It's my favourite songs from the 1970s when I was a kids, loved this song
Billy Yank and Johnny Reb. This song was about The war between the States, but it could easily be applied to the Vietnam War or any other war. God bless our troops!!! God bless the United States Army!!! 🇺🇸
in aus this song is played most anzac days and resonates strongly with us all also.
as you point out... war never changes..
As the original singing drummer on this record and just to put a few facts straight, Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods covered the song after we had a number one with it in the UK, also the girls part was sung by Joanne Stone formerly Williams a great and gifted session singer.
Let's face it people, it's a popular song not Beethoven's 5th and I for one am very greatful
It's a good tune. I like it. Like you said sir, it isn't Mozart ( well you said Beethoven but he point is the same) but most stuff isn't any. Anyway I enjoyed and thank you guys for making it.
It marked an era, and it stayed in my heart and my head since I was an emotional post Vietnam teen. It was shared with my children and grandchildren. When I post it on Facebook it is inundated with responses full of memories. I tried that with Beethoven and nothing.
Thank you Philip Wright. You still don't miss a beat. = )
Hi Philip , didnt know Joanne Stone sang on it , very beautiful lady taken way too soon , was sad to read recently of Russels passing too , best wishes
Masterpiece !!
do you remember Butlins, not sure if it was minehead or pwelli, a guitarist was ill, I stood in and even managed to hit a few correct chords...that same weekend so many people got food poisoning and I'm sure the guitarist was one of the first to go down with it...anyways, is was a laff!!!!!
For my friend,Tom who served two tours of duty in Viet Nam. You are gone but iive in my heart forever. Thank you .
Im so sorry you lost such a special friend
RIP Sir 🙏
Was a kid when this played. Still a timeless 🎵 song
Удачи всем вам!
Me too! It brings back memories of my youth
@@debbiewilkins1623 me to ✨ 😁✨
Yes on 45🥰
I love this song because it portrays the love of a woman who does not want to be proud of the man she is with, she just wants to have him there to love because she is proud of him already. Why do we always have to strive for more instead of appreciating what is right there in front of us? This is a never ending road we travel and sometimes it takes us round and round in circles. Sometimes it brings us home.
Everyone there had someone waiting for them back home too. They all would have died if someone didn't volunteer. But hey, fuck em I guess! The girlfriend in this story is a complete bitch.
Women love money
This is fiction
@@ernestturriziani2489 If I loved money, I would never have married two soldiers! I love GOOD men, who are brave and love our country as much as I do. When my Billy was commissioned a 2nd Lt., he brought home $222/mo and we had a baby. I am still married to a soldier and after 57 years he gave me the mortgage to our home and told me it was ours! He waited on me when was sick with COVID and again when I finally came home after 6 weeks in the hospital. He did it again when I had spinal surgery, and we both cried when we had to put our little Japanese Chin down after loving him for 13 years! YES I would marry a soldier all over again - most are REAL men!
Yet look how many people getting all misty eyed about soldiers and all that rubbish, the total antithesis of the message this song conveys as you rightly say
@@ernestturriziani2489 Twat
I remember this song as a youngster it came to mind so I just had to hear it again and I’m so glad I did brilliant
Wowwwww I just wanted to see what it was bc it was a reference in friends but wowww I mean the history in some things I will never fully get
God bless every man or woman that ever put their lives on the line for ours 🙏
Amen
Yessir
Many of them were shot by thugs hired by corporations and their names stricken from history.
Lew Sifer maybe they weren’t the most educated, maybe they didn’t have the cleanest morals, but their actions paved way for a better America
@@sharonnanyes9798 ,Zedekiah's
I was little when i discovered this song on an album at home i played it continuously my dad was called billy sadly passed now. I still play the song. He truly was and will always be my hero!
2024 who still listens to this BEAUTIFUL & SAD SONG IM 70 YRS OLD LUV TODAY AS MUCH AS WHEN IT COME OUT.
👋🏻
Same here Cheryl....love this song was 13 when it came out. ...😊
It's a very sad song.
This song gives me memories and patriotic vibes and I love it 🫡
My Mom died when this came out . I was 5, the youngest of 4.... My Uncle just came out of Vietnam only to Man up once again, to collect us 4 kids from grade-school, for my Father to give the news. This will always be a imprint in my heart!😪💕💕💕
I love this song sorry to hear that
😥😥😥🐱❤️♥️ what more can I say?
God bless you. MAJOR.
Xxx
Damn you made me shed a tear.
This song always reminds me of my late mum...she had this on record as a school girl. Imagine my surprise and delight when one of the guys walks into work a few months ago to play for us! He comes and entertains us quite often, I just wish mum knew. ❤
So SORRY for your loss. WOW, yeah that would be a HUGE surprise to have this played for you. That is GREAT that he was/is able to entertain you all from time to time. GOD BLESS!!!
I still get chills when I hear this song ❤
I remember hearing that song. I was 6 in 1974.
My husband, a Vietnam vet loved this song very much. I love it also. I remember my best friend in school introduced me to this song!
I remember this from early 70’s ❤️🇬🇧
Haven't heard this in decades! Still a great song!
It is 9:30 pm my time & I've been listening to the classics from my time for 2 hours here on TH-cam when I should be settling into bed. Can't help it, they are just to good to pass by.
i was only a toddler at the time but i remember my mother putting this on when my father left for NAM . R.I.P ol man xx
As a viet nam veteran I am glad I made it home.
Me to glad your home, Korea was bad, but I'd rather Korea then Vietnam.
Thank you, and may God bless you for serving
Bless you x
me too
Welcome home brother!
I was 6 years old when this came out and it still gives me warm fuzzy feelings. It must be the memories from rose tinted childhood glasses lol
I was young when I would hear it on the radio, it got a lot of air time. Even then I learnt that war and military was serious business and you could lose your life at any moment on a battlefield.
This will always be one of my favorites. I would play it over and over. It always makes me cry.
Such a beautiful and under appreciated song. I would take Billy’s place.
As a substitute ? That's a song too !
No the point of the song I think lol
My grandfather's name was Billy. And he was meant to go to war in Egypt. But as a train driver, he was too valuable here in England. This song was played at his funeral just over 2 years ago. Makes me cry everytime I listen to it
I was only 3 years old when this song came out and I started singing it to my ONE & ONLY ONE BROTHER I HAVE NAMED " BILLY" JUST BECAUSE OF HIM HAVING THAT NAME
When I was a kid around 5-7yrs old my older brother had a 45 record of this.... I played this song a lot and it always made me cry.
+SuperEvilC Same here! I was about the same age too. :)
+SuperEvilC me too
+SuperEvilC Likewise myself. But when I was young, I was like is Billy a dam Male or Female? Then I listened to song and paid attention.
+Javier Burboa
lol :O
I'm not surprised mate, it would make me cry too having to listen to that load of crap...Couldn't you take the record and smash it up when they weren't looking?
The closest thing to a time machine are these songs that take us back....
16, heard this and family said don't. when I turned 17 I was gone.
My mom used to sing this to us before bed when I was little....Man the things you never know you would miss the most in life...priceless moments like this, I'd give the world for...if I knew then what I know now I would've showed her how much I LOVE HER...!! I WOULDN'T HAVE LEFT HER SIDE FOR ONE BIT WHEN SHE FOUND OUT SHE HAD CANCER...IF ONLY I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW....I LOVE YOU MOM MAY I REST WITH THE ANGELS UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.!! R.I.P Yogi Martinez.!💕
I have always loved this song. Teenage years can't be forgotten.
My used to sing this with my mum when she was young, she then sang it to me when I was little. I now sing it to my kids.
Three generations dancing and singing to this tune.
My big brother DOUG(Douggie)to me...RIP...KIA VIETNAM 1970
I was a young girl when this first came out loved it then and still listen to it 09/01/2024❤❤❤❤❤❤
yes i was young also but this hit a cord with me. imagine back in the time
Me too
@@breigesheppard8339 I love listening to it
Still have the 45 of this song.
70s were innocent times. ...Happy times. ...wonderful times. ...as a child / teenager
Can't believe this song still gives me goose bumps after all these years..... love it!
I am only 60 years old, but I still Rember this from the 70's
What a beautiful heartfelt song. So awesome even if sad
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Isnt amazing how a song can bring back so vividly how good times were?
Yeah, gas shortages, the Vietnam war, riots, the cold war, Watergate... good times indeed, right?
Veronica Goodan
I was one of the rare kids back then that actually listened to the lyrics of the songs of the era... that were filled with content about all the bad things happening. But please... have yourself a pleasant valley Sunday.
Yea but do we love each other
Chris Coppola
Love is the greatest, purest, most wonderful thing... that money can buy.
JarOfRats will you love me?
I not heard for 25 years plus but every word comes back. I do have an original vinyl album so much play more often
I remember walking into a music store and buying this album. My very first album. I remember the store owner gave a plastic harmonica free. It was 43 years ago and I was 4. Seems like yesterday.
I think this song-by Bo Donaldson and the Haywood’s- is the first record I bought. I went on to buy more classics like BERTHA BUTT BOOGIE.😊
1974 now seems like another world and time
Unfortunately too many changes for the worse.We can only look back and enjoy the "good old days" and songs like these.
yeah, but being 58 it's still (musically) very alive - the best music ever was from the 60's/70's with all due respect
Adm. Arthur LeDock And 1967 was the best year.
Yes, the time passes away running
I wasn't born until 1975 and the world is better for it because there's no way I could've stayed out of jail had I witnessed anyone disrespecting a soldier/marine/airman etc
Karen I've always loved this song from when they first sang it.,because of the lyrics mostly. I can't even imagine what you recollect when you hear it. I hope you just remember the lad you loved and lost.
this song brings tears to my eyes it's still happens today our men and women are dying they are all hero's rest in pease to all
Souper!
*NO SYMPATHY FROM ME*
They are not hero"s, they are fodder for the autocrats.
unfortunately they are something else,, mainly gullible enough to enlist for a cause contrived simply to garner oil profit from countries they have no business stealing from or meddling with at all. Pawns, and cannon fodder. Sad how greed controls, and ends, so many human lives.
What the song tries to convey is that we shouldn’t paint them as heroes with honor, when in reality their superiors see them as disposable pawns.
“I heard she threw the letter away”
She rejected the values of the military cause they’re ultimately fake:(
I love this song much love and respect to all our soldiers and now female soldiers as well God bless you
I was 11 years old in year 6 at school when this came out. Now 61 and retired. Where did all those years go? This song is still as powerful today as it was 50 years ago.
Who’s here in 2024?
This so reminds me of my brother Billy who passed away due to an accident 12 years ago aged 42 Ive always loved this song even though he hated it love and miss you Billy I've now got tears in my eyes
brothers do that to you..tears never go away
I remember this so well my friends from Drama club gave me a small party as I was going into the Army this was the song we played ....brings back bittersweet memories
I used to play this song over and over as a little girl about 11.
I love this song. I was 12 when it first came out
My very best friend since we were 6 went to Vietnam and was never the same when he came home love you Ernie
Just found this song like...four days ago, and I just keep playing it. It is poignant, catchy, and tells a sad story.
It makes you contemplate the reality of heroes, people who choose to selflessly travel the path angels fear to tread, and how in that moment they forget about those waiting for them at home.
A lot of epithets and compliments can be sent at heroes, from being too reckless, or having more bravery than sense. Most of them coming from pain or grief... Some wondering why they did something like that, why did they take that risk, and for many it was duty, love, the job, or even reckless bravery...
In all cases it was...tragic.
Wow. You got ALL THAT from this little song? I am impressed! I just liked it…..now I’ll have to reanalyze. 👍🏻
Song still makes me cry after all these years.
Brings happy and sad tears. Love this song.
I listened to this song all the time back in the 70s
I love the old songs like this. Back then a song like this told a story.
i agree
Me too miss those days
spot on
They're called BALLADS. True fact.
@Raquel Stoner you calling me old? 😜
this song brings back alot of memories hearing this on the radio when i was getting ready for school miss those yrs.
Good memories of the 70s where did it all go. Magic music
This song brings back some memories of the magic years of life in the south.
We all live on a thin line 🤔🤔
Another great song that was on my K-Tel album back then. 👍
This brings back some happy memories as my Wife & I met at Butlins Minehead 38 years ago, Paper Lace were on at Barnums they always played Billy as their last song & always brought the house down we are listening to it again in 2023 an it’s just as good today as is our love for each other x
Yes 2024 still listening
I’m here with ya mate👍
Me too!
✋
Can you not make a comment of your own, just ubiquitous clickbait. So tedious seeing the same shit on every song
Still gives me goosebumps...
I remember checking this album out of the library in the mid-70s. It started my love for rock and roll.
2022 and still in my play list
Billy don't be a hero & one tin solder & me and you and a dog named Bo. Was the best story telling songs made, I still love them
Great song from back in the day, makes you think alot where we are now.
Such vivid childhood memories of this amazing song