Songs that reference US Historical Events or American Folklore

[Bigboote]

This the first song I thought of, here comes the chorus...
(Billy don't be a hero)

The same folks who originally sang that also brought us this little gem:

 

[ClifSpliffy]

American folklore? fuhghettabootit. barbie-the collossus astride the globe!

 

[JDuro]

 

[ClifSpliffy]

 

[Waquoit]

The same folks who originally sang that also brought us this little gem:

You must mean "gem". For me, that song belongs with Terry Jacks and Vicki Lawrence.

And for the record, Bo and the Heywoods did a superior "Who Do You Think You Are" as well

 

[Bigboote]

You must mean "gem". For me, that song belongs with Terry Jacks and Vicki Lawrence.

You're absolutely correct -- I should have used quotes or a sarcasm emoji.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

 

[FeloniousMonk]

The Birmingham church bombing

 

[Rich]

We didn‘t start the fire

 

[Bigboote]

Here's one about the moon landing from Dutch prog-metal project Ayreon:

 

[FlakeyFoont]

SSgt. Barry Sadler, #1 Song in US for 5 weeks, 1966

 

[cullaville]

Woodstock by Joni Mitchell.

 

[cullaville]

Yours is no Disgrace by Yes is an anti Viet Nam war song

 

[Kaizen]

SSgt. Barry Sadler, #1 Song in US for 5 weeks, 1966

View attachment 57473

 

[Martin]

 

[Bigboote]

There's loads of American history in this one. Every decade or so I expect it to become less current, but it never does. I think it's one of the best protest songs ever.

 

[Ozimoto]

A song about the relocation of native Americans.

 

[Ozimoto]

And one about pioneer women during the push west to the west coast.

 

[toadfoot]

Crosby, Still, Nash & Young - shooting death of 4 at Kent State by National Guard

 

[toadfoot]

Crosby, Still, Nash & Young

 

[RockyMTblue2]

The Vietnam "war"

 

[nwhoopfan]

This song is written from a son's point of view about his dad being in the Vietnam War.

 

[bantamlaker]

Another one from Johnny Horton.

 

[cullaville]

Don't Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats

 

[Zorro]

Just a few minor factual tweaks: It was 1977, and they drowned him in Buffalo Bayou, not Brays. There was also the part where they tried to book Torres into jail after beating him up severely. A police supervisor at the jail turned them away and ordered them to take Torres to the hospital, as he was in clear need of medical attention. Instead of going to the hospital, they took him to "The Hole" at Buffalo Bayou.

Two of the six arresting officers were convicted in state court of "negligent homicide"—a misdemeanor—and were given one year of probation and fined $1 each (yes, one dollar). Later, they and one other officer were convicted in federal court of civil rights violations and served 9 months in prison.

Killing of José Campos Torres - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The year after his murder, Gil Scott-Heron wrote and performed a searing tribute to Torres:

I stand corrected, and thank you. A truly shameful incident.

 

[Purduke]

Ahh, the First Battle of Bull Run reminded me of this (with Ashokan Farewell in the background).

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Bigboote]

Here's a song about WWII pilots. The album, Boomer's Story, has a wealth of Americana, with a couple of depression-era songs about trainhoppers.

 

[Bama fan]

You must mean "gem". For me, that song belongs with Terry Jacks and Vicki Lawrence.

And for the record, Bo and the Heywoods did a superior "Who Do You Think You Are" as well

"And for the record..."
really? Gosh I hope you meant to punish us with that!

 

[ClifSpliffy]

well, sometimes that green line is sketchy.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

props to the folks who fix the power lines