Posted on 06/03/2023 2:21:10 PM PDT by SamAdams76
This is a song from 55 years ago.
Only older Freepers will remember it as it has not gotten much airplay since.
But I think this is the best Animals song of all. Eric Burdon on the vocals. Very underrated singer and band.
This was a "protest" song of the Vietnam song at the time. But it is a timeless song and a masterpiece.
I linked this particular video due to the WW2 images.
First, I strongly resent the implication that just because I knew a song from 55 years ago it means I am now old.š
I saw Eric Burdon perform this song in person at the Grande Ballroom in 1968 in Detroit. They had a film playing showing the UK soldiers, bagpipe players and various combat planes and there was even a steam thrower for effects showing battle smoke going into the audience.
Even then I wondered how many of the males in the audience were going to Vietnam, how many would die and who would dodge the draft. I failed my physical trying to enlist due to a heart condition.
One of the best parts of the song. I really like bagpipes.
Best of All !!!
I’ve got an interesting life story about this song. I played in a Rock band back in the 60s. My mother was watching us play one night and we played the song. She asked me that question. Do you know what a Sky Pilot is? (I just sang the song, didn’t have a clue) Mom was a WWII veteran (WAVE). She said it was what they called a chaplain.
Me, too.
My relatives include some from Scotland who came over in the 1800s. But I never learned bagpipes. It died out in the family traditions apparently.
btt!!
Heard it on Deep Tracks just a few days ago. Very enjoyable.
Under rated perhaps. But they are one of my favorites. And yes, Iām old. This was the music of my teen years. Eric had an extraordinary voice for his age.
exellent glad to have seen them
I knew of the song from before but mentally noted that I needed to make it a Free Republic post and so here we are.
saw them in sdiego ca
I haven’t been to that part of California in over 30 years, but it was pretty nice back then. I know how you feel, though, as I grew up in Portland in the 60s and 70s when it was still OK. Maybe we all feel that way about our childhood homes unless they were real toilets.
Just by coincidence, I started to reread Cannery Row a couple days ago. Probably almost 50 years since I read that book.
OH wow have not heard this in a very long time. lots of late 60’s early 70’s air play
I loved that song when I heard it on the radio.
That’s your opinion.
A “sky pilot” was originally a navy chaplain—a pilot who steers you to heaven. The term was in use at least as early as the Spanish-American War. Air Force veterans have told me that it now refers to an Air Force chaplain.
no shiite Sherlock
Whatever n00b.
Are the bagpipes a reference to funerals.
Great song. But astonishing how many comments, photos etc people use to illustrate it are about airplanes. The song is NOT about aviators...
The slang term for a chaplain was “sky pilot”.
But incredible song. Incredible band.
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