The soundtrack of the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War era was a turbulent time in history, characterized by political unrest and social upheaval. Amidst the chaos, music emerged as a poignant expression of the era's sentiments. Songs like Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" and Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" continue to evoke the struggles and aspirations of that time, even for those who didn't live through it.

Music during this period served as a form of protest, challenging the status quo with anthems like Edwin Starr's "War." Simultaneously, it offered solace and solidarity for soldiers, providing a brief respite from the harsh realities of war.

What makes music from this era enduringly powerful is its ability to capture the complexities of the human experience. Whether it's the raw intensity of Jimi Hendrix's guitar solos or the bittersweet nostalgia of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," these songs resonate with universal themes of love, loss, and longing.

The timeless relevance of music from the Vietnam period is striking. Despite changes in political and social contexts, the themes explored in these songs remain pertinent today. In an age of renewed political polarization and global unrest, the music of the Vietnam era reminds us of art's power to inspire change and unite us in our shared humanity.

You may wish to create a playlist of songs that were part of the Australian airwaves during the Vietnam War period. Here are some suggestions:

• The Wild One by Johnny O’Keefe (1959)

• He's My Blonde‐Headed, Stompie Wompie, Real Gone Surfer Boy by Little Pattie (1963)

• It Ain’t Necessarily So by Normie Rowe and the Playboys (1965)

• Shakin’ All Over by Normie Rowe and the Playboys (1965)

• Que Sera, Sera by Normie Rowe and the Playboys (1965)

• Smiley by Ronnie Burns (1969)

• You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes (1966)

• Green, Green Grass of Home by Tom Jones (1967)

• We Gotta Get Out of This Place by The Animals (1965)

• I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die Rag by Country Joe and the Fish (1967)

• Leaving on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul, and Mary (1969)

• Detroit City by Bobby Bare (1963)

• Purple Haze by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967)

• Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

•  (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding (1968)

• The Letter by The Box Tops (1967)

• Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin (1967)

• Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud by James Brown (1968)

• These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ by Nancy Sinatra (1966)

• What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye (1970)

• Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash (1963)

• And When I Die by Blood, Sweat, and Tears (1969)

• My Girl by The Temptations (1965)

• Reflections of My Life by Marmalade (1969)

• The Ballad of the Green Berets by SSgt Barry Sadler (1966)

• Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan (1963)

• I Ain’t Marching Anymore by Phil Ochs (1965)

• Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire (1965)

• Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation by Tom Paxton (1965)

• Waist Deep in the Big Muddy by Pete Seeger (1967)

• Alice’s Restaurant Massacree by Arlo Guthrie (1967)

• Backlash Blues by Nina Simone (1967)

• Saigon Bride by Joan Baez (1967)

• Handsome Johnny by Richie Havens (1967)

• 2+2=? by The Bob Seger System (1968)

• Imagine by John Lennon (1971)

• Vietnam by Jimmy Cliff (1970)

• Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young (1970)

• War by Edwin Starr (1970)

If you have not already done so, we suggest you watch the great 1987 movie titled ‘Good Morning Vietnam’. Many of you would have already seen the movie, but some of the scenes with the music of the time playing on the radio really gives an insight to the importance of the musical link with home for the soldiers and nurses. Robin Williams is amazing in the role of the DJ Adrian Cronauer (loosely based on the truth) and it really is one of those iconic movies from the 80’s (about the 60’s and 70’s in Vietnam).