Five Songs for Remembrance Day
[This is my column in today’s Metro newspapers. – AC]
The solemnity of November 11 should never be forgotten. Our thoughts turn to the fallen and to the families they left behind. Here’s a playlist of songs that commemorate this day beyond the traditional playing of “The Last Post.”
“Sky Pilot” by Eric Burdon and the Animals: With the Viet Nam War at its peak 1968, the Animals released this seven-and-a-half minute, three-movement song about a chaplain who blesses the troops before they leave on a mission. Although it doesn’t feature any obvious anti-war lyrics, the imagery and the era in which it was released have caused it to be categorized as a protest song.
“And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” by the Pogues: Written by an Australian singer-songwriter named Eric Bogle in 1971, the song tells the story of the Battle of Gallipoli during WW I through the eyes of a young Aussie soldier. There are many covers of this song but none are as moving as the Pogues version found on the Rum, Sodomy & the Lash album from 1985.
"War Trilogy" by late Toronto singer-songwriter-guitarist Matthew Osborne is amazing. Not only is it a powerful song, but you won't believe that the recording was done in one single live take, and with only one guitar.
I'll add The Trews song Highway of Heroes to this list.