Nobody was more an astute political observer than Bill. His introductory rap to this Vietnam protest song is an exemplary model in storytelling. The song itself is a moving blues-gospel in which Bill insinuates himself into the soul of an American soldier. Bernorce Blackman's ineffable blues guitar fills and the voices lend this real force. It can't help but to burn into your skull.
Dec 5 1968 I went in 5 months later Vietnam. 19 yrs old. Just finished look at cheerleaders now I'm looking to see dead people Why ? It's 2023, and I don't sleep much .
I went in 1968 fresh out of high school, 6 months later you're taking someone's life. He'll of a time of life. I'm 71 now and happy to be alive. 50 thousand didn't make it WHY ????!
I'm amazed that à veteran soldier could come back from war and be poor and homeless after putting his life on the line for the love of his country our governments have no hearts
I listened to this when I was rushing through the jungle. I had to shit in a jar and leave next to my corporal, my brother in arms, in order to get out safe alive. both hands. Worst day of my life. Respect mája frfr on god no cap.
I just discovered this song now, and I'm listening to it eyes teary 5th time in a row. I don't know what I can say, other than I am grateful I discovered his music and influences. He was a gift to music, to people of all creed and color. Those who stopped and listened, feeling it and relating to their own way. Hands down one of the most beautiful and eerie songs I've heard, may you rest in peace you wonderful being <3
but if these totally hopeless wars, this bloody Moscow imperliaism might have spilled out sooner. What they have done in Ukraine now is a nightmare and I am writing this as a Pole who hates Moscow, hates so much, for centuries. Glory to these soldiers in Vietnam, because in every war there is a triple bottom, and among other things, they made a difference to keep Asia and Europe peaceful for 70 years
I know many people who were injured in combat in Viet Nam. I also know many people who lost loved ones over there. We should NEVER have gone over there, especially AFTER the French had moved out, because there wasn't ANY chance of us winning. The citizens of our country were NOT behind this war in spite of the attempt of the Government to convince us that they were. It was our first loss in the field of war! Shameful!
I heard this song for the first time last night. When Bill stopped recording I stopped paying attention. Then I have had a rekindling of interest since his death. This song re establishes, for med anyway, that Bill Withers was a great song writer and singer.
He said getting shot at didn't bother him It was getting shot that shook him up And I tried to put myself in his position Maybe he cried Maybe he said
I can't write left-handed Would you please write a letter Write a letter to my mother? Tell her to tell, tell her to tell Tell her to tell my family lawyer Try to get, try to get a deferment for my younger brother
Tell the Reverend Harris to pray for me Lord, lord, lord I ain't gonna live I don't believe I'm gonna live to get much older Strange little man over here in Vietnam I ain't, I ain't never seen Bless his heart I ain't never done nothin' to He done shot me in my shoulder
Bootcamp we had classes, aha You know we talked about fightin', fightin' everyday And lookin' through rosy, rosy coloured glasses I must admit it seemed exciting, anyway Oh, but something that day overlooked to tell me, lord Bullets look better, I must say Rather when they comin' at you But go without the other way
And please call up the Reverend, call up Call up the Reverend Harris And tell him to ask the lord to do some good things for me, lord no Tell him, I ain't gonna live I ain't gonna live, I ain't gonna live to get much older
Oh lord Strange little man over here in Vietnam I ain't never seen, bless his heart I ain't never done nothing to He done shot me in my shoulder
I remember when this first came out..I bought the album after hearing "Harlém/Colld Baloney" at a friends house. Thank goodness I didn't hear this while I was at home alone. I lost it. Between this song and " Better Off Dead" you' d have thought I was at a tent revival. I cried and cried. That truly visceral reaction if either of.thought I was in the stories myself. Eventually I got over it, mainly, because I didn' t play them. RIP, Mr. Bill Withers. You left your footprint. Thank you. .
One of music's great storytellers. Mr. Bill Withers, I salute you sir and for everyone serving in Vietnam from '57 to '75. I pray for the lives lost and the others trying gain back a sense of normality.
We recorded this song on October the 6th Since then the war's been declared over If you're like me you'll remember it like anybody remembers any war One big drag Lot of people write songs about wars and government Very social things But I think about young guys who were like I was when I was young I had no more idea about any government, or political things or anything And I think about those kind of young guys now Who all of a sudden somebody comes up And they're very law-abiding So if somebody says go they don't ask any questions they just go And I can remember not too long ago seeing a young guy With his right arm gone, just got back And I asked him how he was doing He said he was doing all right now But he had thought he was gonna die He said getting shot at didn't bother him It was getting shot that shook him up And I tried to put myself in his position Maybe he cried, maybe he said I can't write left handed Would you please write a letter, write a letter to my mother? Tell her, tell her to tell Tell her to tell the family lawyer Try to get a deferment for my younger brother Tell the Reverend Harris to pray for me, Lord, Lord, Lord I ain't gonna live, I don't believe I'm going to live to get much older Strange little man over here in Vietnam, I ain't, I ain't never seen Bless his heart I ain't never done nothin' to He done shot me in my shoulder Boot camp we had classes You know we talked about fightin', fightin' everyday And lookin' through rosy, rosy colored glasses I must admit it seemed exciting anyway But something that they overlooked to tell me Bullets look better I must say Rather when they comin' at you But go without the other way And please call up the Reverend call up, call up the Reverend Harris And tell him to ask the lord to do some good things for me Tell him, I ain't gonna live, I ain't gonna live I ain't gonna live to get much older Oh Lord Strange little man over here in Vietnam, I ain't never seen bless his heart I, ain't never done nothing to he done shot me in my shoulder
Deep powerful song. War is totally unnecessary, we don't need no guns, bombs, cellphones, hatred, racism, money! As Africans we are currently writing our history left handed cos of all hatred between us! The time has come for us to stop all.of these
Nobody was more an astute political observer than Bill. His introductory rap to this Vietnam protest song is an exemplary model in storytelling. The song itself is a moving blues-gospel in which Bill insinuates himself into the soul of an American soldier. Bernorce Blackman's ineffable blues guitar fills and the voices lend this real force. It can't help but to burn into your skull.
Dec 5 1968 I went in 5 months later Vietnam. 19 yrs old. Just finished look at cheerleaders now I'm looking to see dead people
Why ? It's 2023, and I don't sleep much .
I went in 1968 fresh out of high school, 6 months later you're taking someone's life. He'll of a time of life. I'm 71 now and happy to be alive. 50 thousand didn't make it
WHY ????!
i'm here straight from RockTheBells radio
Este som dá um tremendo baque na alma de tão profundo, melódico, verdadeiro e nostálgico.
The most powerful song of all time imo
I'm amazed that à veteran soldier could come back from war and be poor and homeless after putting his life on the line for the love of his country our governments have no hearts
This is one of the most powerful and beautiful songs I have ever heard
Wow that is awesome. Thanks carnale. GBYA. MEMORIES WITH THOSE PICTURES.
I listened to this when I was rushing through the jungle. I had to shit in a jar and leave next to my corporal, my brother in arms, in order to get out safe alive. both hands. Worst day of my life. Respect mája frfr on god no cap.
I'm left-handed so can't relate :/
I just discovered this song now, and I'm listening to it eyes teary 5th time in a row.
I don't know what I can say, other than I am grateful I discovered his music and influences. He was a gift to music, to people of all creed and color. Those who stopped and listened, feeling it and relating to their own way.
Hands down one of the most beautiful and eerie songs I've heard, may you rest in peace you wonderful being <3
These are kind that will forever played , from one generation to another. lots of respect for the art.
but if these totally hopeless wars, this bloody Moscow imperliaism might have spilled out sooner. What they have done in Ukraine now is a nightmare and I am writing this as a Pole who hates Moscow, hates so much, for centuries. Glory to these soldiers in Vietnam, because in every war there is a triple bottom, and among other things, they made a difference to keep Asia and Europe peaceful for 70 years
I've never heard this song before.
The power of song on exhibition right here!
To russia with love
Been a fan since I saw Bill live at Mr. Kelly's in Chicago. May he rest in peace and his music live on.
Bill Withers' most underrated and most powerful song
I am a Vietnam veteran., with a purple heart. I have never heard this song. I have to admit it made me cry ZZZ
I always said when Bill passes we will be in big trouble.
Passed last year WERE IN BIG FUCKING TROUBLE
The music sounds funny it makes me laugh
you have to love Bill Withers
I know many people who were injured in combat in Viet Nam. I also know many people who lost loved ones over there. We should NEVER have gone over there, especially AFTER the French had moved out, because there wasn't ANY chance of us winning. The citizens of our country were NOT behind this war in spite of the attempt of the Government to convince us that they were. It was our first loss in the field of war! Shameful!
I heard this song for the first time last night. When Bill stopped recording I stopped paying attention. Then I have had a rekindling of interest since his death. This song re establishes, for med anyway, that Bill Withers was a great song writer and singer.
All due respect to Dylan and Gaye, this is the greatest protest song ever written. Personal and political.
This is one hell of a hit , I listen to this with my soul .
Write a letter to my Mother. Ours is not to wonder why…..
The first time I heard this I had flashbacks from my time in Iraq. This brings out more emotion for me than any song ever has. RIP my Marine brothers.
rip bill all your song has related to me so much much love to ya brother
He said getting shot at didn't bother him
It was getting shot that shook him up
And I tried to put myself in his position
Maybe he cried
Maybe he said
I can't write left-handed
Would you please write a letter
Write a letter to my mother?
Tell her to tell, tell her to tell
Tell her to tell my family lawyer
Try to get, try to get a deferment for my younger brother
Tell the Reverend Harris to pray for me
Lord, lord, lord
I ain't gonna live
I don't believe I'm gonna live to get much older
Strange little man over here in Vietnam
I ain't, I ain't never seen
Bless his heart I ain't never done nothin' to
He done shot me in my shoulder
Bootcamp we had classes, aha
You know we talked about fightin', fightin' everyday
And lookin' through rosy, rosy coloured glasses
I must admit it seemed exciting, anyway
Oh, but something that day overlooked to tell me, lord
Bullets look better, I must say
Rather when they comin' at you
But go without the other way
And please call up the Reverend, call up
Call up the Reverend Harris
And tell him to ask the lord to do some good things for me, lord no
Tell him, I ain't gonna live
I ain't gonna live, I ain't gonna live to get much older
Oh lord
Strange little man over here in Vietnam
I ain't never seen, bless his heart
I ain't never done nothing to
He done shot me in my shoulder
What a great song writer God bless you SIR
2020 and I'm here listening to Bill …#IveLived
Where the F is this studio version?!?
The world needs to hear this NOW!!
depressing song from a most depressing time in our history
One of the best songs ever written for men & women that have fought on some foreign land. My mind can't help but think of my time & brothers.
I remember when this first came out..I bought the album after hearing "Harlém/Colld Baloney" at a friends house. Thank goodness I didn't hear this while I was at home alone. I lost it. Between this song and " Better Off Dead" you' d have thought I was at a tent revival. I cried and cried. That truly visceral reaction if either of.thought I was in the stories myself. Eventually I got over it, mainly, because I didn' t play them. RIP, Mr. Bill Withers. You left your footprint. Thank you.
.
Governments kill more than anyone or anything… They send their poor to go kill the poor in other countries….
Contemporary Jazzy like song..so brilliant
Here's what I most remember Bill Withers for. This song.
One of music's great storytellers. Mr. Bill Withers, I salute you sir and for everyone serving in Vietnam from '57 to '75. I pray for the lives lost and the others trying gain back a sense of normality.
2020…shiiii
We recorded this song on October the 6th
Since then the war's been declared over
If you're like me you'll remember it like anybody remembers any war
One big drag
Lot of people write songs about wars and government
Very social things
But I think about young guys who were like I was when I was young
I had no more idea about any government, or political things or anything
And I think about those kind of young guys now
Who all of a sudden somebody comes up
And they're very law-abiding
So if somebody says go they don't ask any questions they just go
And I can remember not too long ago seeing a young guy
With his right arm gone, just got back
And I asked him how he was doing
He said he was doing all right now
But he had thought he was gonna die
He said getting shot at didn't bother him
It was getting shot that shook him up
And I tried to put myself in his position
Maybe he cried, maybe he said
I can't write left handed
Would you please write a letter, write a letter to my mother?
Tell her, tell her to tell
Tell her to tell the family lawyer
Try to get a deferment for my younger brother
Tell the Reverend Harris to pray for me, Lord, Lord, Lord
I ain't gonna live, I don't believe I'm going to live to get much older
Strange little man over here in Vietnam, I ain't, I ain't never seen
Bless his heart I ain't never done nothin' to
He done shot me in my shoulder
Boot camp we had classes
You know we talked about fightin', fightin' everyday
And lookin' through rosy, rosy colored glasses
I must admit it seemed exciting anyway
But something that they overlooked to tell me
Bullets look better I must say
Rather when they comin' at you
But go without the other way
And please call up the Reverend
call up, call up the Reverend Harris
And tell him to ask the lord to do some good things for me
Tell him, I ain't gonna live, I ain't gonna live
I ain't gonna live to get much older
Oh Lord
Strange little man over here in Vietnam, I ain't never seen
bless his heart I, ain't never done nothing to
he done shot me in my shoulder
Deep powerful song. War is totally unnecessary, we don't need no guns, bombs, cellphones, hatred, racism, money! As Africans we are currently writing our history left handed cos of all hatred between us! The time has come for us to stop all.of these
RIP BILL