This ironic dance floor hit from the spring/summer of 1985 had a very political message.
Lyrically, Paul Hardcastle's anti-war song "19" had two main takeaways: 1. the obvious being 19 as the average age of an American combat soldier in the Vietnam War, and 2. the harsh reality of PTSD.
Musically, "19" introduced many electronica innovations to the mainstream: sampling haunting sound bites from a Vietnam War documentary, re-dubbing bugle calls and synthesizing the classic "nineteen" stutter.
Musically, "19" introduced many electronica innovations to the mainstream: sampling haunting sound bites from a Vietnam War documentary, re-dubbing bugle calls and synthesizing the classic "nineteen" stutter.
Combined with a captivating video clip, the single reached #1 on the UK and US charts (and #2 in Canada).
I'm always conflicted when I hear "19": my mind wants to pay attention to the message while the body wants to move.
I read somewhere on the internet that when the song was played in the clubs people would stop dancing and listen to the lyrics. Now that's powerful.
I read somewhere on the internet that when the song was played in the clubs people would stop dancing and listen to the lyrics. Now that's powerful.
Fave lyric: not really a favourite per se, more insightful: "Eight to ten years after coming home / Almost eight-hundred-thousand men / Are still fighting the Vietnam War"
