Every Vietnam War Veteran Alive Remembers These 3 Must-Hear Anthems From 1965

Three songs released in 1965 captured different responses to the Vietnam War and became enduring touchstones for veterans: The Animals’ “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place”, Barry McGuire’s “Eve Of Destruction” and Johnnie Wright’s “Hello Vietnam”. Their contrasting themes reflected the era’s experience of service, protest and support for the war.

“The Animals” song resonated with serving American troops and reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. McGuire’s protest song addressed the war, the draft, nuclear fears and civil rights, and topped the Hot 100; Wright’s pro-war song reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Singles chart and later featured at the start of the film Full Metal Jacket.