Goodnight Saigon

The lyrics of "Goodnight Saigon" are about Marines in battle bonding together, fighting their fears and trying to figure out how to survive. The song begins with the sound of crickets chirping, providing the feeling of evening coming, the sound morphing into the tinkling of wind chimes at night. This leads into the sound of helicopters, which conjures up images of helicopters carrying their loads of Marines into battle in the Vietnam War or picking up wounded Marines. Time has a way of healing wounds or making them easier to look at to see if they've scabbed up. The guys came home from Vietnam and that's it? It doesn't end until these guys are absorbed into the mainstream and we deal with our feelings about it. ==Critical reception==

Billboard called it "uncompromisingly bleak" and said that "The style is subdued and intense, with a strong influence of Kurt Weill." Cash Box praised it for successfully "making a meaningful statement about the Vietnam war within the confines of a pop song". Holden describes the song as possibly "the ultimate pop-music epitaph to the Vietnam War." AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine considers it part of a suite on side one of The Nylon Curtain that represents "layered, successful, mature pop that brings Joel tantalizingly close to his ultimate goal of sophisticated pop/rock for mature audiences". Musician Garth Brooks has identified "Goodnight Saigon" as his favorite Billy Joel song. Producer Phil Ramone has stated that the song's symbolism "resonates with many people—especially musicians". ==Other appearances==

"Goodnight Saigon" is regularly featured in Joel's concerts, and live versions were released on the albums Kohuept, 12 Gardens Live, Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert, and My Lives. It has also been included on several compilation albums, including Greatest Hits, Souvenir: The Ultimate Collection, The Ultimate Collection, The Essential Billy Joel, and Piano Man: The Very Best of Billy Joel. "Goodnight Saigon" was included in the play ''Movin' Out'' in a scene where one of the characters has a nightmare of his experiences fighting in Vietnam. Alan Cumming has included this song on his album Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs: Live at the Cafe Carlyle. He sings it in touching memory of his grandfather, Tommy Darling. Garth Brooks Performed "Goodnight Saigon" for Billy Joel and the Obamas at the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors. A choir composed of dozens of men and women who were of an age to have served in Vietnam - many appearing in uniform - joined Brooks for the final chorus. ==Charts==