Springsteen wrote this about the problems Vietnam veterans encountered when they returned to America. Vietnam was the first war the US didn't win, and while veterans of other wars received a hero's welcome, those who fought in Vietnam were mostly ignored when they returned to the states.
The original title was "Vietnam". Director Paul Schrader sent Springsteen a script for a movie called Born In The U.S.A., about a Rock band struggling with life and religion. This gave Bruce the idea for the new title. Unfortunately for Schrader, when he was finally ready to make the movie in 1985, the title "Born In The U.S.A." was too associated with the song. Springsteen helped him out however, providing the song "Light Of Day", which became the new title for Schrader's movie and the feature song in the film.
This is one of the most misinterpreted songs ever. Most people thought it was a patriotic song about American pride, when it actually cast a shameful eye on how America treated its Vietnam veterans. Springsteen considers it one of his best songs, but it bothers him that it is so widely misinterpreted. With the rollicking rhythm, enthusiastic chorus, and patriotic album cover, it is easy to think this has more to do with American pride than Vietnam shame.
In the early 1980s, Squeeze songwriters Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook were compared to John Lennon and Paul McCartney — great musicians with a vast collection of catchy pop songs: "Tempted," “Up the Junction,” "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)," "Cool For Cats" among them. Unlike the Beatles, Squeeze never hit it big in America. But flying under the radar has its advantages, as Tilbrook points out.
Chris writes the lyrics, Glenn comes up with the music and usually handles lead vocals. Here, they talk about the songwriting process and finding their talents. Learn more about the band and their songs in the the official Songfacts interview with Squeeze
Chris Difford on Up The Junction
" I remember when we recorded that I imagined it would never be a hit and we'd have to take it off the album. And the record company said that they disagreed, and it was that second 2 record, so they said if the manager was wrong he'd have to eat his heart... Not a very tasty thing to be doing."...
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..There 's a story behind every song. Did you know that Sweet Home Alabama was the first Lynyrd Skynyrd song to use female backup singers? Perhaps you did. But did you know the band members never even met these women? Their parts were recorded separately. This is just one of many, many facts for one of many, many songs on the Songfacts database. Carl 'founder' Wiser was working for a Rock station in Hartford, Connecticut and did a show called "Breakfast with the Beatles." He looked up books, magazine articles and press releases to gather some information about the songs and this information was stored on a computer. Over time more and more songs were added . This was also about the time the Internet was making its presence felt. Some HTML lessons later, a "web site" was established for the radio station... a website that went online in 1999 under the name of Songfacts.
It started off as just an elite little site visited mostly by DJs and anyone who happened to stumble upon it. In 2002 Songfacts was featured as a Yahoo Pick! and that was enough to crash the server. Over one weekend the number of registered users nearly doubled from 800 to 1400. What followed were writeups in several newspapers, magazines and the buzz over the internet.
Songfacts' claim to fame is the fact that anyone is allowed to contribute to its fact database. What's more, these facts are then cross checked by a panel of experts and researchers before they are put up on the site. The Songfacts Forum is buzzing with music enthusiasts with the incredible ability to identify and provide information about songs given minimal detail. A monthly newsletter chronicles the ever expanding list of new songs added. Apart from facts about songs, a subsidiary of the site is Artistfacts which helps people learn about and contribute information for their favourite bands and artists. The staff at Songfacts has also interviewed a number of songwriters who shared the stories behind their songs. These interviews are up on the site as well. SF also features two great games - Song Fallacies and Lyrical Pursuit
Take The Quiz for a chance to win this stylish and attractive T-shirt. In this quiz: Movie Hits, a Sandbox, and Doughnuts.
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I have four new songs on my site that were recorded at Studio 301 in Byron Bay. I'm getting great feedback on these tracks. All Australian Music! Cheers, Ray Burton
Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay— Stay till the good old year, So long companion of our way, Shakes hands, and leaves us here. Oh stay, oh stay, One little hour, and then away.
The year, whose hopes were high and strong, Has now no hopes to wake; Yet one hour more of jest and song For his familiar sake. Oh stay, oh stay, One mirthful hour, and then away.
The kindly year, his liberal hands Have lavished all his store. And shall we turn from where he stands, Because he gives no more? Oh stay, oh stay, One grateful hour, and then away.
Days brightly came and calmly went, While yet he was our guest; How cheerfully the week was spent! How sweet the seventh days rest! Oh stay, oh stay, One golden hour, and then away.
Dear friends were with us, some who sleep Beneath the coffin-lid: What pleasant memories we keep Of all they said and did! Oh stay, oh stay, One tender hour, and then away.
Even while we sing, he smiles his last, And leaves our sphere behind. The good old year is with the past; Oh be the new as kind! Oh stay, oh stay, One parting strain, and then away.
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