The Top Song of 1966 - Wow, How Times Have Changed

[Wilbur Right]

I wonder if the Ballad of the Green Berets would have become a number one hit today.

No. Now why would that be. What was different then?

Could it be that EVERONE either had served in the military (thanks to a world war and a regional war and a draft) or knew of friends, family and loved ones that had served in the military.

Contrast that with today. I know a couple of Iraq, Afghanistan vets. I knew/know dozens of WWII, Korean and VietNam vets.

And it's kids who make the songs popular. And today's kids aren't vets by and large. No draft made sure of that.

So no, that song wouldn't make number one on the charts today.
But not for the reasons you seem to believe. (That no one loves the military) bull.

 

[Ringel05]

I was 12, I remember the song, I also remember not being all that impressed, it wasn't Blood Upon the Risers........... We were in Bragg at the time, my dad was going through jump school.

 

[Wilbur Right]

Now all it needs is rythm and someone spitting out lyrics and its a "song".

I tried to learn to play guitar, learned you cant do it with ten thumbs, but at least I'm not bovine.

Tsktsk..don't be to judgemental of something you can't do.
I play guitar. Have for a long time..playing a rhythm while spitting out lyrics isn't quite as easy as it may sound.

Besides that, a good song is in the ear of the listener. Right? Def Lepard.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

At the end of that movie the sun was seen rising in the west or setting in the east. I forget which.

 

[OnePercenter]

I only know two artists in the present Billboard: Top Ten. I don't know either of the songs. lol

You should get out more often.

 

[OnePercenter]

This was the Billboard number one song for 1966




Ballad of the Green Berets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The Ballad of the Green Berets" is a patriotic song in the ballad style about the Green Berets, an elite special force in the U.S. Army. It is one of the very few songs of the 1960s to cast the military in a positive light and in 1966 it became a major hit, reaching No. 1 for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and four weeks on Cashbox. Ultimately, the song was named Billboard's #1 single for the year 1966. It was also a crossover smash, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart and No. 2 on Billboard's Country survey.

The song was written by Robin Moore and Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, while the latter was recuperating from a leg wound suffered as a medic in the Vietnam War. Moore also wrote a book, The Green Berets, about the force. The tune itself is borrowed from the traditional American folk song "The Butcher Boy".

The lyrics were written in honor of Green Beret US Army Specialist 5 James Gabriel, Jr., the first native Hawaiian to die in Vietnam, who was killed by Viet Cong gunfire while on a training mission on April 8, 1962.[2] One verse mentioned Gabriel by name, but it wasn't included in the recorded version.[3]

Comparing that song with this one is interesting. A very similar topic but the production is very different and the musci quality much improved as well.



I wonder if the Ballad of the Green Berets would have become a number one hit today.

I wonder if the Ballad of the Green Berets would have become a number one hit today.

Yes, if a record company could make money from distribution.

 

[mdk]

I only know two artists in the present Billboard: Top Ten. I don't know either of the songs. lol

You should get out more often.

Yes, I must live the secluded life of a hermit b/c I don't know most of the artists on Billboards: Top Ten.

 

[JOSweetHeart]

If I had been around back then, the late beautiful precious Billy Joe Royal is who I would have been all about just like I am now.



God bless you and his family always!!!

Holly (born in 1982)

P.S. I was most definitely born in the wrong decade.