The Twain Shall Meet album by Eric Burdon & The Animals (released in 1968) featured "Sky Pilot," one of the most famous anti-war songs of the Vietnam War era, and "Monterey," the band's tribute to the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. This is the mono 7" single of "Sky Pilot", which features FX not included in the stereo version e.g. more echo in the a cappella introduction and heavy reverb at the end of the line "How high can you fly?"."Sky Pilot" was a hit (#14, US charts) even with listeners supporting the war perhaps because of the various combat sound FX such as gunfire, shouts, marching, a plane crash, bagpipes (Eric got an angry letter from Parliament for using a covert recording he made of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards) and an aggressive guitar riff by Vic Briggs.The lyrics see the war from a non-combatant's p.o.v. but don't overtly protest war the way that "Eve Of Destruction", (sung by Barry McGuire and others) did, and while sympathetic to our troops aren't saying hurray for our side like Sgt. Barry Sadler's "Ballad Of The Green Berets" did.The song title refers to a military chaplain who blesses the boys leaving for the frontline.He tells the troops to keep the faith, the mission will be accomplished; but his encouraging words won't wipe tomorrow's tears from their eyes or stop the bleeding of those who will die.Far from the battle zone, with a Burdon on his back, his nights alone are hardly peaceful.He'll never, never, neverreach the sky. (thx CGR)
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