Songs about Heroes or Heroines

[MaVolta]

Just trying to think up a new song topic, so maybe try this one. Think of songs about your heros or heroines. Songs may have hero in the title or lyrics (those are easy), but others may be inferred by something a person has done, or be in reference to a particular person. Be creative! 

So here are my first picks to get started -

Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler

Candle in the Wind - Elton John (in reference to Marilyn Monroe and later Lady Diana)

[DonnaW42]

Wind beneath my Wings by Bette Midler

[1968Hoya46]

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: Gene Pitney (the Jimmy Stewart character was seen as the hero although it was the John Wayne character who actually shot Liberty. Great movie, great song).

[ripvanwinkle96]

That was such a great movie & song. Too bad they didn't use the tune in the movie. Anyway I thought maybe you would enjoy a video with both.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBCeUZUbxEU&ab_channel=TreasureIsland

[ripvanwinkle96]

"Daniel" * Elton John

Big Brother back from Vietnam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jxLzGzl9kA&ab_channel=EthanJ

[MaVolta]

Cruel War - Peter, Paul, & Mary

Hero and heroine, but the song is mostly about the heroine who dresses as a soldier to go into battle with the one that she loves.

[MaVolta]

Stewball - P P & M

Animals can be heroes too!

[BettyS487482]

So happy you mentioned "Animals can be heros, too."  My hero/heroine was my childhood friend, a cocker spaniel named Ginny, who I miss to this day!

[1968Hoya46]

Patches:  Clarence Carter

[rh97821964]

Very good choice. Wish I'd remmebered it.

[ripvanwinkle96]

"Soldier Boy" * Sherilles

Vietnam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwTbuQiGelA&ab_channel=robbinhood11

[ripvanwinkle96]

"A Scottish Soldier" * Andy Stewart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sAitY3y9mY&ab_channel=IanMaclean

This the original version, used to hear this on my transistor radio when I was a kid. Made me feel like going to battle. Just like when watching them old Errol Flynn movies. Boy did things change when I got to my late teens in 67'.

[MaVolta]

Green Fields of France (No Man's Land) - aka Willie McBride

Written by Scottish singer / songwriter Eric Bogle and performed by just about every Irish singer or group on the planet. It is a tribute to the fallen soldiers of WWI. Bogle also said it was written in response to anti-Irish sentiment in the UK during the 70's, and generally, an anti war song.

[ripvanwinkle96]

"Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?" * Paula Cole

montage of cowboy "Hero's"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTOfkaoBW3w&ab_channel=MarkPitta

[1968Hoya46]

Ballad Of Davy Crockett:  Bill Hayes; Fess Parker, others.

[MaVolta]

Emotional Rescue - Rolling Stones

I will be your knight in shining armor
Coming to your emotional rescue

Well, he thinks he's a hero!  

The damsel doesn't appear too interested in being rescued, however.

[1968Hoya46]

My Dad:  Paul Petersen (the very definition of schmaltz).

[cm9889168]

My Dad:  Paul Petersen (the very definition of schmaltz).

---

To:  The Leader of the Band

           by Dan Fogelberg  (RIP)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDByv7HoAyg&list=PLNbnp1hfr9BhWXHxTN4ipY5rJyMtNWNpk&index=2

[1968Hoya46]

My Boyfriend’s Back:  The Angels (and he’s going to beat the hell out of the lounge lizard who’s been trying to seduce his girlfriend while he was away).

[MaVolta]

Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits

[MaVolta]

We Are The Champions - Queen

[1968Hoya46]

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother: Hollies, Neil Diamond, others.

After reading MaVolta’s excellent Bridge Over Troubled Water post, I was struck by a similar theme in He Ain’t Heavy: the quiet, everyday heroism of people who help and support their fellow humans, motivated by love and not by a desire for recognition or praise. 

[1968Hoya46]

Teen Angel:  Mark Dinning (that fateful night the car was stalled upon the railroad tracks, I pulled you out and we were saved [but you went running back]).

His heroism was genuine, although its effects were not long-lived, due to her decision to return to the car to retrieve his high school ring, a ring that could easily have been replaced.

[MaVolta]

Bridge Over Troubled Water - S&G   

The hero is actually singing the song but probably would not consider himself such.

[MaVolta]

Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple

Funky Claude was running in and out

Pulling kids out the ground

Reference to Claude Nobs who saved a number of kids from the fire at Montreux Casino, 1971. He was the founder and organizer of the Montreux Jazz Festival, but he had also served as a volunteer firefighter! 

[MaVolta]

Anyone else remember this oldie? It was a spoof on tv westerns!

Along Came Jones - The Coasters (1959)

[1968Hoya46]

Pretty Maids All In All In A Row: Eagles (heroes, they come and they go and leave us behind...).

[MaVolta]

Hero of the Day - Metallica

[1968Hoya46]

Lucky Man:  Emerson Lake & Palmer.

[BeatleloverKT]

Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down

[1968Hoya46]

Song To Woody:  Bob Dylan (a song to his hero, Woodie Guthrie).