Jacqueline Peterson
2/17/20
English 102
Charlie Boy ~The Lumineers
Charlie boy was released in 2012. Charlie Boy is a song that is referring to the Vietnam War. This song shows the disapproval of the public about the war.
In the song lyrics when it says,
“News was bad on Upland Ave.,
Metuchen mourn our loss
Sons rebelled, while fathers yelled,
And mothers clutched the cross”.
This quote from the song is showing that mothers, sons and fathers are upset and angered about the war. When it says “while fathers yelled” it is referring to them yelling in anger about the Vietnam War and there disapproval. The “mothers clutching the cross”, is referring to them praying over the men at war and the “clutching” is referring to the mothers being scared and sad.
In the quote,
“Charlie boy, don’t go to war,
First born in ’44
Kennedy made him believe
We could do much more”.
In this quote it is says “Kennedy made him Believe we could do much more”. The writer of the song is saying that he isn’t for the war or Kennedy. Kennedy lied to them giving them false hope. It also elaborates that he doesn’t want him to go to war when it says “Charlie boy, don’t go to war,…”.
The beat of the song Charlie Boy, is very calm. The instruments that are being used gives off a relaxing and almost mournful vibe. I feel the music goes great with the song, it is not super up beat and loud, but rather quite and calm.
The Lumineers band consist of, Wesley Schultz, Neyla Pekarek, Jeremiah Fraites, Ben Wahamaki, Maxwell Hughes. All the members who are part of this band bring the music together very well. Without one member the music would not run so smooth and sound as great. Neyla Perkarek is the only female that is one of the lead people in the band. Neyla mainly play the cello, sings and as well plays side instruments. Jeremiah Fraites plays the drums for the band. Ben Wahamaki plays the base. Maxwell Hughes is one of the lead song writers. Jeremiah Fraites, plays the drums, piano, mandolin, and does backing vocals. Finally Wesley Schultz. Wesley is the lead singer of the Lumineers. Wesley also plays the piano as well as the guitar. Wesley is the front and center band member, although they work more as a team. The song Charlie boy is written about his great grandfather and the Vietnam War.
“The song is about the lead singer, Wesley Schultz uncle Charles Schultz who was killed in the war.”(CodenameMetcon) In Charles Schulz’s early twenties, he enlisted to go to war. Charles family looked down on the idea. Charles had been a major support of President Kennedys. When Kennedy had voiced, “ask not what not what you country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”, Charles was draw to enlist in the war. When Charles Schultz died in action, his family raged with anger and sadness. This is displayed in the song. -^(CodenameMetcon)
This is one of my favorite songs by the Lumineers because it is short and sweet, and also has a lot of meaning to it. The Lumineers band is one of my favorites because it is an outlet from pop music and what is more popular today. My interest had sparked with the Lumineers when I attended one of their concerts back in 2016. The Lumineers were one of the opening for U2, a similar band that I enjoy. I was able to watch them grow and become more popular as the years went. If you ever need a temporary break from the average day to day music, I feel the Lumineers is the way to go.
Work Cited
Ryan hadlock, Jeremiah Fraites & Wesley Schultz. @2020 Genius Media Group Inc. Charlie Boy, The Lumineers.
Creative Minds 