Billy, Don't Be A Hero

From Wikipedia:

“Billy Don’t Be a Hero” is a 1974 pop song that was first a UK hit for Paper Lace and then, some months later, a US hit for Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods. The song was written and composed by two British songwriters, Mitch Murray and Peter Callander.

Because the song was released in 1974, it was associated by some listeners with the Vietnam War, though the war to which it actually refers is never identified in the lyrics. It has been suggested that the drum pattern, references to a marching band leading soldiers in blue, and “riding out” (cavalry) refer to the American Civil War. For one of the band’s performances on Top of the Pops they wore Union-style uniforms, as can be seen on YouTube and on 45 single record cover.

A young woman is distraught that her fiancé chooses to enlist with Army recruiters passing through the town, causing her to implore him:

Billy, don’t be a hero, Don’t be a fool with your life
Billy, don’t be a hero, Come back and make me your wife
And as he started to go, she said, ‘Keep your pretty head low’
Billy, don’t be a hero, Come back to me.

The song goes on to describe how Billy is killed in action in a pitched battle after volunteering to ride out and seek reinforcements. In the end, the heartbroken woman throws away the official letter notifying her of Billy’s “heroic” death. […]

Wings recorded a version of “Billy, Don’t Be A Hero” during the filming of the 1974 documentary “One Hand Clapping.” This cover version is available on some bootlegs.

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.