# 3 Rock Songs From 1968 That Are Connected to the Vietnam War (And Still Bring Tears to Listeners’ Eyes)

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/3-rock-songs-from-1968-that-are-connected-to-the-vietnam-war-and-still-bring-tears-to-listeners-eyes/
- Published: 2026-11-05T15:11:35+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/3-rock-songs-from-1968-that-are-connected-to-the-vietnam-war-and-still-bring-tears-to-listeners-eyes/
- Topics: Americas, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- Three 1968 rock songs became linked to the Vietnam War.
- “The Unknown Soldier” faced radio refusal despite its anti-war message.
- The Byrds’ “Draft Morning” protested the war and the draft.

## Summary

The article links three rock songs released in 1968 to the Vietnam War, either through their interpretation or their original purpose. It says the songs reflected the conflict and its human cost, even when they were not written specifically about Vietnam.

Jimi Hendrix’s version of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” was interpreted by some as a song about people fending for themselves. The Doors’ “The Unknown Soldier” was an anti-war song associated with the conflict, though radio stations reportedly refused to play it; its video included war footage. The Byrds’ “Draft Morning”, written to protest the war and opposition to the draft, was begun by David Crosby and completed by Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman.

## Coverage

- [American Songwriter: 3 Rock Songs From 1968 That Are Connected to the Vietnam War (And Still Bring Tears to Listeners’ Eyes)](https://americansongwriter.com/3-rock-songs-from-1968-that-are-connected-to-the-vietnam-war-and-still-bring-tears-to-listeners-eyes/)
- [American Songwriter: 3 Uplifting Songs From 1968 That Still Put Smiles on Listeners’ Faces](https://americansongwriter.com/3-uplifting-songs-from-1968-that-still-put-smiles-on-listeners-faces/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.