My Favorite Billy Joel Songs: Goodnight Saigon (#5)

Tweet

Into the top five we roar! Thanks to @DianneN I’m counting down (technically, counting up) my favorite songs by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Billy Joel. I’m sure I’ll catch a lot of flack for today’s song, but nevertheless, here it is. #5: Goodnight Saigon Billy Joel isn’t just “Uptown Girl”/“Just the Way You Are” love songs. He can write ‘em with a punch. And man, does this song pack a punch! One of Joel’s most powerful songs ever, it’s a look at the Vietnam war from the perspective of the Marines. What makes this song more powerful is the era in which it was released. Those of you under 30 may not know that there was a time when the military in America was vilified, if not downright hated. It’s true, folks: the people saying “thank you for your service” today had parents or grandparents who spat on returning soldiers. And yet, they kept reelecting the politicians who were really responsible for the war. Doesn’t make sense, does it.... But, as this song says, it didn’t matter in the thick of the fight. Goodnight Saigon Written by Billy Joel From The Nylon Curtain, 1982 We dug in deep and shot on sight: