Voltaire’s supposed comment certainly wasn’t a war endorsement, but we can love any music opposing, examining or commemorating a particular one with the unspeakable suffering fully in mind.
Excepting war criminals let us truly celebrate veterans of all wars, in living memory and not. And lest anyone forget, twelve days from now will be D-Day Anniversary 80. Horrible as it was particularly on Omaha Beach the first hour or so an event whose significance must be appreciated.
The well of Memorial Day relatable songs will be deep, so as usual leaving the really fun posts to others and staying with examples less known, more obscure.
Midnight Oil — “Armistice Day”
OK, everyone knows this one but can’t resist:
Bo Donaldson — “Billy Don’t Be a Hero”
Metaphorical war for a better civilization:
Bob Marley — “War/No More Trouble”
“Battle Hymn of the Republic” as only Whitney Houston could do it:
The Cure — “World War”
Billy Joel — “Leningrad”
Yes [of course] — “The Gates of Delirium”, live 1976 and an audience recording posted before. A case can somewhat objectively be made this War and Peace based work the greatest “rock” epic ever on war. Again ‘songs’ track marked but not chaptered, and the “Gates” track marker chops the important intro/announce. Pull the little YT slider to 43:00 for correct starting point if it isn’t there now on your ends:
This was imo their finest recorded performance of the piece, any tour. Sound quality ranges from mostly exquisite to sometimes poor as two separate audience tapes were patched, the better one being incomplete apparently. Signal shifting through Yes’ quad sound system sometimes seems like ‘dropout’, and one or the other taper I suspect had to throw some clothing over their rig whenever venue security heat got too close ;} “Sound Chaser” also a major highlight and in part war-themed, starts at 12:20.
Along similar lines, Tchaikovsky’s naturally irresistible 1812 Overture.
A big factor in making me an admitted classical snob, it was perhaps the very first vinyl I actually wore out at maybe 6 or 7 years old. I don’t miss the literal noise of vinyl one bit, btw. When high enough resolution digital became available around 1990 I never looked back unless something wanted only available as vinyl.
Your turns! Looking forward to everyone’s war and remembrance offerings, so many great ones out there.
Happy Memorial Day all. Hoping the food and drink fabulous everywhere, and thanks especially to all veterans joining us this eve.
Welcome to another Saturday night of music, memories, and conversations!
Gentle reminder: Please continue putting the name of your artist selection in your comment along with your song. Those of us on our phones? We really appreciate it. And people using screen readers need this in order to identify the video.
You know how it works — Put your quarter in the slot and your song in the comments. This is your Saturday night jukebox and the party starts NOW!
And welcome, any/all ASN newcomers.
Addendum: We need songs about the impact of war on the natural environment, here there and everywhere. I found plenty of news items but no music. Hoping someone can fill this hole.