Music can often be universal, and veterans are clearly not the only people who suffer from trauma. The song Still in Saigon came out in the 80s when songs about Vietnam were popular. Bruce Springsteen had Born in the U.S.A., Huey Lewis and the News had Walking on a Thin Line, and Charlie Daniels had Still in Saigon which is the only one I really relate to.
Dan Daley has stated that the song is a metaphor for other kinds of traumatic experiences.
Still in Saigon – A personal history
Charlie Daniels was not a veteran and neither was Still in Saigon’s songwriter Dan Daley. How the two men captured the feeling of a returning veteran is a testament to their skill. Daniels famously wrote his own music, rarely taking a song from an outside writer. Yet, he must have seen the potential of Still in Saigon when he decided to sing it.
I first heard the song from my dad, who was a big fan of Charlie Daniels (I’ve heard Devil Went Down to Georgia about eight million times).
I remember, as a kid asking my dad what the song was about. I got a brief explanation that Saigon was in Vietnam and the song was about the Vietnam War. When I would press on about its meaning, I got a rather simple explanation. “Oh, he’s just having flashbacks to the war.”
I accepted this as a kid and never really thought about the song again until recently when I played for my kids Devil Went Down to Georgia, and they enjoyed it. After that, Youtube suggested Charlie Daniels non-stop for weeks. I saw Still in Saigon, vaguely remembered it, and hit play. Now, almost 30 years since I first heard the song, a lifetime of experience has shown a new light on it.
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Why it works so well even today
As an Afghan veteran that watched the country fall to the Taliban last year, I can’t help but relate to my Vietnam vet comrades. However, that’s not exactly why the song hits so well. Still in Saigon captures the feeling of coming home from war and being home.
Coming home is often seen as a joyous occasion and, at the moment, it might be. However, the fact remains that service members who commit suicide aren’t doing it while deployed but after they get home. Maybe the feeling isn’t as universal for everyone, and deployment experiences are all different. Not to pick on anyone, but the Marines in Leatherneck in late 2009 had A/C, a Pizza Hut, and Green Bean, and the Marines in Helmand slept in holes and dug up IEDs.
Related: How a Green Beret achieved immortality during one of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War
To me, the song isn’t just about the protagonist having flashbacks, but rather it’s him feeling like he never came home, not all the way. Part of his mind, and maybe his soul, if you believe in such a thing, is still in Vietnam. I’ve never told anyone this, so it’s odd I’m typing it for you now, but I feel the same way.
I feel like part of me is still in Helmand province and part of Afghanistan is still with me. I can’t shake it. It’s something I think about every day.
Still in Saigon rightly addresses homecoming and portrays it as hard. At one point the song says:
“My younger brother calls me a killer and my daddy calls me a vet.”
It’s not uncommon to be treated differently and for the people you love to have a different view of you after the war. For better or worse, the phrase you can’t go home is true. You’re a different person, and others’ perception of you will be different.
Related: Christmas truce during the Vietnam War
More than a feeling
There are plenty of lines I feel represent my experience. One says,
“Damned if I know who I am. There was only one place I was sure
When I was
Still in Saigon”
Many veterans feel the same. Regular life back home is hard. This may sound odd, after all, how can living in such a prosperous country as the US be hard? A lot of it comes with expectations of society. You have a job, a wife, kids, parents, friends, school, and who knows what else, and you have to balance that with taking care of yourself.
When I left the service, I struggled with a feeling of melancholy that what I was doing after the service was useless and dumb.
Selling mattresses, which was my first job after the military, was a silly pursuit. In Afghanistan, my life was simple and had a purpose. I had a mission that was set in stone: I was a machine gunner in team 1. That’s all I was. I didn’t have many societal expectations and life wasn’t complicated.
At the same time, I knew I was important. My machine gun laid down fire, suppressed the enemy, and allowed my squad to move under fire. I kept my head down, and if I didn’t do my job, the entire squad would fail. Every one of us in that squad had an important job, and it was necessary for our survival.
I knew who I was in Afghanistan, and it took years for me to figure out who I was when I got back home.
Related: We swore a blood oath: Former CIA officer reflects on al-Zawahiri killing
The reality of flashbacks
The simplistic explanation that Still in Saigon is just about having flashbacks should be corrected. The concept of a flashback has essentially been made into this odd hallucination veterans may experience when returning from war.
In reality, anyone who has PTSD can have a “flashback” and a flashback isn’t a hallucination of a traumatic event. It’s a moment where you are reminded instantly of a past event and your body experiences the same physiological response it did during the event. Our protagonist isn’t having the type of flashbacks the media portrays and what they unfairly portrayed Vietnam veterans as suffering from.
The song rightly shows that these memories can be triggered easily, regardless of where you are and what is happening. They occur to me. Anytime I smell marijuana, for example, I am taken back to Afghanistan with the mind of 19-year-old Travis (I do miss 19-year-old Travis’ knees.)
These feelings, experiences, and memories are what make up the core message of Still in Saigon. The protagonist can’t escape his situation and doesn’t even seem to want to. For many veterans, the service and war were part of our formative years. It’s who we are, and that’s why we can’t leave Saigon, Baghdad, Garmsir, Midway, Fallujah, or wherever else our boots gathered dirt.
Feature Image: US troops in Vietnam (Creative Commons)
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lima co 3rd btn 1st marines-jan of 67 to feb of 68-was shot twice in my left bicep-later was wounded in feb of 68. that particular wound led to amputation of my lower left leg-i still miss my time in vietnam. i was blessed to serve with so many great marines, each of whom would lay down their life for their brother marine. on dec 27th, 1967 we experienced 49 killed in action. i think of every marine i served with. each of them was willing to give his life to save his fellow marines
Were you at what became Mikes Hill on December 27th, 1967
USMC 83-92
USN 2001-2013
Served and have issues mostly night mirrors and depression. Worked for the V.A. 2015-2018. That experience helped me out alot. My wife served in the Marines 84-88 That helps alot also. We went to school together prior to the Corps so we understand each other quite well. She is my angel. Out of all my problems, depression is the worst. Nothing really happy about Memorial day for either of us. People say happy memorial day, I just say thanks. Anyway peace to all service members on this weekend of reflection.
That song really says a lot about our time in Vietnam. It also tells what it’s like when you get back home and what you endure everyday. But if you really want to hear our stories read ‘The Wall (The War and Beyond) by Aaron McCammon on Kindle. This will give you an insight into what our day to day lives are really like. GOD BLESS AMERICA
Not everyone was in Saigon. Many of us spent months in triple canopy jungle, fighting a mostly unseen enemy who made his presence known on his schedule. I loved Charlie Daniels, and I related to the song, but on a different level.
It’s nice to see a modern take on such a classic track. Returning soldiers from ‘Nam were not treated very well. Thank you for your service and I pray you find something better than selling mattresses.
Army, 66 to 69, 77 years old now. So many Vets from that era returning home were not welcomed or appreciated, except by other Vets. Somehow with passing of time, I have realized that I am proud of our service, sacrifices and brothership because we earned it !
Great comment, brother. I am a former Vietnam era veteran USMC 71 – 72. Long story. I recall it didn’t matter ttthe public whether you servtin Nam, Japan, or any where in the SEA theater. You still got spit on coming home, I did!!! A solitary woman spit and a Marine Gunnery Sergeant pulled me over of her line of fire for a second volley could hit me. Damn. I was hit by a spent M-60 cartridge in the cervical spine after an explosive blast was detonated. Have permanent nerve damage of the spine now for over 50 years. I would appreciate empathy from the people for listening to my story. No Purple Heart, nothing. Just understanding our position to defend our country and The Constitution and Democracy. Thank you for allowing me to speak!
God bless you and all the others
I was in the USO 71-73 singing and dancing. We would do shows at Fort Dix, McGuire and Dover AF bases, the VA hospital in Philly, At 16 I knew to appreciate service men and women and always have. Looking at the audiences while performing, I knew many of those men would not come back home. I’m sorry that you had to suffer for over 50 years with your injury but know that people are out there who appreciate what you fought for.
Thank I never was able to put in words what it still feel like to be home and still not home I wish I thank you in person and give you my right hand. STILL IN SAIGGON
Much respect and appreciation is due to Vietnam Vets !!!
My husband was at Khe Sang during the siege. That was the worst, but not only combat he saw. Many days and nights he suffered with flashbacks. I stopped him once from committing suicide. The VA was a Godsend for us. He received the physical and mental health care he so desperately needed. I made friends with other spouses and realized I wasn’t alone.
As the saying goes “Some gave all. All gave some”. You all left a bit of yourselves in combat and brought some of that combat back with you. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Thank you Lani. At nearly 75 years old Vietnam has finally lost its grip on me. For years I denied it yet inside I was so angry. I envied “normal” guys that got to stay home. People that hated me because I served and Vietnam for taking my youth and infecting my head. I was 50 years old before I got help at the VA and slowly I started to heal. I have a wife who loved me when I was unlovable. I am proud of my family, proud of my country and finally ,at peace with myself.
God bless you George and all the Vietnam veterans.
From a Gulf war vet. Thank you.
USN 92-97
Yes, the Charlie Daniel’s song Still in Saigon hits home for many Vets from many wars. It reminded me of the title of my book Vietnam Vets: Still Coming Home-Their Stories in Their Words. The book tells the stories of 31 Vietnam Vets and their lives before, during, and after the war. Many of these Vets still carry not only wounds of the flesh, but wounds of the mind and soul. The books proceeds all go to Veteran Service Organizations (DAV, PVA, Military Order of the Purple Heart). The book is dedicated to the 58,307 Vietnam Veteran who will never be able to tell their stories. Never Forget.
America owes you in all our vets a huge huge debt of gratitude thank you for your service and God bless you all
I was a photographer mate PH3 . I took many photos during my time of two tours and to this day I can’t get things out of my mind. I have PTSD . People who wasn’t there will never understand the hell we went through. The sad part I don’t hear of Vietnam Veterans getting much help now days from groups helping other veterans. We’re supposed to help each other. I tried taking over Amvets Post 94 in Pa. My aim was to take over the post that closed down so I could help all Veterans that need help. And the Amvets HQ should of stepped up and help me So I can help all Veterans that need help. But HQ was more interested in putting money in there pockets than helping us Veterans. I was the past Vice Commander of the Post and things were getting out of hand. People taking money for themselves Instead of helping Veterans who needed help. Sad but true
I serve with the 199th light inf.bdge, 4/12 b delta co.pany,1968,1969
I was in VietNam Jan1968-Dec1969 during the tect reunion . The first tour I was at DaDang(Monkey Mountain ) Seconded tour I ran from Saigon to the DMZ.
APRIL 67 to THE APRIL 68 was in a combat
Light infantry squad. A day does not go buy
That I dont think about what happened to me.
22 years old what did you think would happen
INSIDE my head!!!! It took about 10 years after I had come back. THEN MY SHIT GOT REALLY WEAK!!! BUT THANK GOD FOR THE VA
THEY GOT ME BACK ON TRACK. THANK YOU
VA.
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I served with the 101st Abn Div from July 69 to July 70.I was a gun team leader and carried the Pig (M60) for most of my tour. Still in Saigon really hit hard this Memorial Day weekend as I was thinking of the 13 brothers I lost during my year. I’m getting old now but you are correct about PTSD and war. I think I’ll listen again to Still in Saigon (Ashau Valley).
I just met a 101st vet getting propane. Had his 101st Vietnam ball cap on, so, being a vet myself, I inquired. He is a combat wounded, Bronze Star , 2 PH from his action in the A Shau Valley and at Hamburger Hill. Now, he is an advocate for vets seeking help with VA claim denials other obstruction. The VA is great, but they still have a long way to go. It takes honorable men like this guy to stand up and make sure they are doing their jobs. I am proud of my service, not always proud of our DoD, but whenever I encounter another veteran, especially combat veterans, I thank them and listen to their stories. I am honored to be in their presence.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. God be with you this Memorial Day and always.
My father was. a Combat Medic with The 106th Infantry, 81st Combat Engineer’s. He was a veteran of The Battle Of The Bulge and had nightmares until he passed away.
Not me. I made it home in 1970. Let it go. It’s just a song. God Bless America.
I was a door gunner on helicopter gunship with the first cav i came home end of 1967 and then to ft benning the tet offinive just started i wanted to go back to my unit so i voluntered but they wouldnt send me back to the same unit i got out of the army end of 1968 tried college it wasnt for me. I seen a add in newspaper for people to work on weapons systems on helicopters so off i went stayed till 1973 brought my pregnant wife and two kids back with me i miss vietnam to this day
I was a grunt in Vietnam in 1969. I know that part of me is still there and always will be. You can’t go to war and not be touched by it.
I’m 75. I go back to Hue most nights as I sleep. My 4th wife convinced me to contact the VA. She’s a God send. Without her support and understanding, I would not be here. I was a Photographers Mate 2nd Class in the USN. I was not a hero. But I photographed many. God bless all who served in that mess.
God bless you sir and I, the son of former VP and Prime Minister Nguyen Cao Ky of South Viet Nam, I thank you for your service and sacrifice
U.S. Special Forces, MAC SOG …faces always burned into my brain….brothers to the last bullet
to the last hand to hand
Nicely submitted the sins of the father doesn’t carry over
Hi Michael. I’m 77 was on USS Lexington CVT 16,trained pilots in Gulf of Mexico. I was Photogeaphers Mate 3rd class. On the flight deck in mix of it all w a 16mm movie camera filming CAT shots. FIimed a pilot as he was out control hit the water filmed him as he sank into the Gulf. See it like I’m filming it in color.