It's the Memorial Day weekend
Do you know what you get when you google "Memorial Day songs"? You get lists of patriotic songs, and you get lists of anti-war songs. And I can't see how either of those types of songs are really appropriate for a day that is meant for remembering those that died while serving in the U.S.'s armed forces.
So instead, I settled on Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon":
Video posted by Billy Joel
And while no one sings it like Billy Joel himself, I'm also adding this version by Garth Brooks from the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors, even though it's abridged. If you watch until just past a minute in, you'll see why:
Video posted by Jason Eric Mumaw
Perhaps this song is a little better suited to Veterans' Day, but I think it serves the memory of our fallen soldiers well. The song was criticized for refusing to take sides on the Vietnam War, but I think that that is its strength--and why it's so appropriate for today.
***
Yes, Billy Joel is Jewish. And while he is best known for his rock/pop music (12 studio albums, 5 live albums, and 15 compilation albums worth of it), he also wrote and recorded a classical album, and while he did not set out to write a Broadway musical, Twyla Tharp created a musical from his music. He is above all an amazing live entertainer, and if you have a chance to see his show live, grab it!
***
Of course, the song that is most appropriate for Memorial Day is "Taps," so here it is, blog theme be damned:
Video posted by the United States Navy Band
So instead, I settled on Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon":
And while no one sings it like Billy Joel himself, I'm also adding this version by Garth Brooks from the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors, even though it's abridged. If you watch until just past a minute in, you'll see why:
Perhaps this song is a little better suited to Veterans' Day, but I think it serves the memory of our fallen soldiers well. The song was criticized for refusing to take sides on the Vietnam War, but I think that that is its strength--and why it's so appropriate for today.
Yes, Billy Joel is Jewish. And while he is best known for his rock/pop music (12 studio albums, 5 live albums, and 15 compilation albums worth of it), he also wrote and recorded a classical album, and while he did not set out to write a Broadway musical, Twyla Tharp created a musical from his music. He is above all an amazing live entertainer, and if you have a chance to see his show live, grab it!
Of course, the song that is most appropriate for Memorial Day is "Taps," so here it is, blog theme be damned:
Yes, most appropriate.
ReplyDelete