There's nothing explicit in the lyrics to suggest it, and I don't think the band has confirmed it in interviews either, but a fairly common interpretation of the song is that Frankie is a Vietnam vet. Viewed through that lens it's sort of a punk "Born in the USA".
There's nothing explicit in the lyrics to suggest it, and I don't think the band has confirmed it in interviews either, but a fairly common interpretation of the song is that Frankie is a Vietnam vet. Viewed through that lens it's sort of a punk "Born in the USA".
The interpretation of the song as anti-war, or rather anti-vietnam-syndrome like the novel First Blood, seems to eminate from the excellent (but low-budget) film COMBAT SHOCK, aka. AMERICAN NIGHTMARES, which is based on the song says the director. Frankie Teardrop becomes Frankie Dunlan and the rest of the song is adhered too pretty closely (SPOILERS LOL)
The interpretation of the song as anti-war, or rather anti-vietnam-syndrome like the novel First Blood, seems to eminate from the excellent (but low-budget) film COMBAT SHOCK, aka. AMERICAN NIGHTMARES, which is based on the song says the director. Frankie Teardrop becomes Frankie Dunlan and the rest of the song is adhered too pretty closely (SPOILERS LOL)
scary, scary shit. That has got to be the most harrowing ten minutes in music, as well as the most under-noticed anti-war message ever.
hey I'm curious -- how do you read this as anti-war?
hey I'm curious -- how do you read this as anti-war?
There's nothing explicit in the lyrics to suggest it, and I don't think the band has confirmed it in interviews either, but a fairly common interpretation of the song is that Frankie is a Vietnam vet. Viewed through that lens it's sort of a punk "Born in the USA".
There's nothing explicit in the lyrics to suggest it, and I don't think the band has confirmed it in interviews either, but a fairly common interpretation of the song is that Frankie is a Vietnam vet. Viewed through that lens it's sort of a punk "Born in the USA".
The interpretation of the song as anti-war, or rather anti-vietnam-syndrome like the novel First Blood, seems to eminate from the excellent (but low-budget) film COMBAT SHOCK, aka. AMERICAN NIGHTMARES, which is based on the song says the director. Frankie Teardrop becomes Frankie Dunlan and the rest of the song is adhered too pretty closely (SPOILERS LOL)
The interpretation of the song as anti-war, or rather anti-vietnam-syndrome like the novel First Blood, seems to eminate from the excellent (but low-budget) film COMBAT SHOCK, aka. AMERICAN NIGHTMARES, which is based on the song says the director. Frankie Teardrop becomes Frankie Dunlan and the rest of the song is adhered too pretty closely (SPOILERS LOL)