History
The band was formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1965 named simply "The Heywoods", not after anyone in the band or connected with it, but from the last name of a songwriter on a Rolling Stones album because they liked the sound of the name.
They were first discovered while touring with The Osmonds in the early 1970s and signed with Family Productions, releasing their first song in 1972, "Special Someone", but their big break came after moving to ABC Records and working with star producer Steve Barri in 1973. Beginning in 1974, the band released the songs "Billy Don't Be A Hero", "Who Do You Think You Are", "The Heartbreak Kid" and "Our Last Song Together".
Endgame
In 1975, they began migration to a 3rd, 4th and 5th label as the hits dried up by the end of the decade. By 1978, they were known as "The Bo Donaldson Band" and eventually split after trying Country music with no success in the 1980s. They reformed again in 1996 as a nostalgia act and still make appearances, most notably in the Barry Williams-hosted nostalgia show Original Idols Live.
Members
Robert Walter "Bo" Donaldson - Keyboards
Mike Gibbons - Lead Vocals & Trumpet
David Krock - Bass & background vocals
Rick Joswick - Lead singer and tambourine
Gary Coveyou - Saxophone, flute & Background Vocals
Baker Scott- Lead Guitarist
Richard Brunetti - Drums
Billy Don't Be A Hero
Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The soldier blues fell in behind
I looked across and there I saw Billy
Waiting to go and join the line
And with her head upon his shoulder
His young and lovely fiancee
From where I stood I saw she was crying
Billy, don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life
Billy, don't be a hero, come back and make me your wife
And as he started to go she said, Billy, keep your head low
Billy, don't be a hero, come back to me
The soldier blues were trapped on a hillside
The battle raging all around
The sergeant cried, "We've got to hang on, boys!
We've got to hold this piece of ground"
I need a volunteer to ride up
And bring us back some extra men
And Billy's hand was up in a moment
Forgetting all the words she said
She said
Billy, don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life
Billy, don't be a hero, come back and make me your wife
And as he started to go she said, Billy, keep your head low
Billy, don't be a hero, come back to me
I heard his fiancee got a letter
That told how Billy died that day
The letter said that he was a hero
She should be proud he died that way
I heard she threw that letter away
The song "Billy Don't Be a Hero" by Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods tells the story of a young man named Billy who decides to go to war, leaving his fiancée behind. The marching band and soldiers pass by in a parade, and the singer spots Billy and his crying fiancée. She begs him not to go and risk his life, telling him to keep his head low and come back to her. However, Billy volunteers to go to the front lines to bring back reinforcements. Eventually, his fiancée receives a letter telling her that Billy was killed in action and was considered a hero. She throws away the letter in sadness.
The lyrics of the song seem to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of going to war and risking one's life, especially at such a young age. The desperation and sadness in the fiancée's voice as she pleads with Billy not to go to war is a powerful reminder of the human cost of armed conflict. Additionally, the fact that she throws away the letter that tells her Billy has died suggests that she cannot bear to confront the reality of his death, preferring to remember him as the young man who went to fight for his country.
Line by Line Meaning
The marching band came down along Main Street
A parade was coming down the main street
The soldier blues fell in behind
Soldiers joined the parade
I looked across and there I saw Billy
The singer saw a man named Billy
Waiting to go and join the line
Billy was waiting to join the soldiers' line
And with her head upon his shoulder
Billy's fiancée had her head on his shoulder
His young and lovely fiancee
Billy's fiancée was described as young and lovely
From where I stood I saw she was crying
The singer saw that Billy's fiancée was crying
And through her tears I heard her say
Despite her tears, Billy's fiancée said something
Billy, don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life
Billy's fiancée urged him not to risk his life
Billy, don't be a hero, come back and make me your wife
She wanted Billy to come back and marry her
And as he started to go she said, Billy, keep your head low
Before he left, she reminded Billy to stay safe
Billy, don't be a hero, come back to me
She pleaded for Billy to come back alive
The soldier blues were trapped on a hillside
The soldiers were stuck on a hill
The battle raging all around
A battle was going on
The sergeant cried, "We've got to hang on, boys!
The sergeant urged the soldiers to hold on
We've got to hold this piece of ground"
The soldiers had to keep control of the hill
I need a volunteer to ride up
The sergeant needed someone to go for reinforcements
And bring us back some extra men
The sergeant needed more soldiers to help them
And Billy's hand was up in a moment
Billy volunteered immediately
Forgetting all the words she said
Billy forgot about his fiancée's warnings
I heard his fiancee got a letter
The artist heard that Billy's fiancée received a letter
That told how Billy died that day
The letter explained that Billy died in battle
The letter said that he was a hero
The letter called Billy a hero
She should be proud he died that way
The letter suggested that Billy's fiancée should be proud of him
I heard she threw that letter away
The singer heard that Billy's fiancée threw away the letter
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mitch Murray, Peter Callander
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@janeboyd4974
My brother was in Vietnam when this came out. I changed it to Jimmy don't be a hero. :). It was about the civil war however, it was meaningful because we were involved in Vietnam at the time. I am 62 and I still remember this song.
@traceyreed4885
My brother Bill was in Nam. Brings back a lot of memories
@pharmcat8484
I’m 39 and I remember this song. Some songs are timeless.
@everlastingarms3065
Such a sad tragic song with such a happy-go-lucky melody and music. Always thought that was odd.
@z6886
This song, my big sis was obsessed with. Listed to it almost all day, every day of my little 6 year old life courtesy of her. The first time I heard it I was hanging on every word. Hoping and praying Billy would be alright. By then end id cry my eyes out no matter how many times I heard it.
Billy Don't Be a Hero
will forever be etched into my memory. I just had to come here to play it for my son so he understands what I'm singing every now and then.
@pamelaolson2449
My grade school music teacher had us singing this and One Tin Soldier in 4th/5th grade! (Also Bob Dylan, etc) She was fantastic - thank you Mrs Conners!!!
@JamesParker-jb8rp
I'm an old 80s metai musician and this was on my play list when I was10
@StarlightPrism
Dammit Billy, you had one job!
@wandaperi
Ok boomer
@dannyleeherold9552
@@wandaperi Laugh you little twit. lol