Episode Notes: The Wall of Soundtrack #3 - Platoon

In this episode, Andrew & Sy discuss the music and soundtrack behind Oliver Stone's Vietnam War drama film, Platoon.

Platoon is a Vietnam War drama film that was released in 1986 and depicts some of Oliver Stone's experiences as an Army infantryman on combat duty in Vietnam. The film won four Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, and Best Editing. The score for the film was composed by Georges Delerue and included a variety of different songs from the 60's & 70's.

Opening Title & Credits Sequence

Samuel Barber – “Adagio for Strings”

Scene Description:  In the opening title and credits sequence, Chris Taylor arrives in Vietnam and disembarks the U.S. Air Force cargo plane. As he walks from the plane he sees the casualties of war and seasoned veterans returning from jungle combat.

The piece by Samuel Barber illuminates the sadness, shock, and tragedy of war that Chris witnesses as he arrives in Vietnam.

Jefferson Airplane - "White Rabbit"

Scene Description: Chris cleans the latrines with King and Crawford. Afterwards, they visit the bunker and King introduces Chris to "The Heads."

The song works perfectly with the trippy atmosphere of the scene. Stone also introduces us to another faction or social element of the platoon in the base camp.

Smokey Robinson - "The Tracks of My Tears"

Scene Description:  "The Heads" start dancing together to Smokey Robinson's "The Tracks of My Tears" playing on the radio in the background.

The song and lyrics are about a breakup of a relationship and coping with the aftermath. The song works very well with this scene as the soldiers are dancing and taking drugs to cope with the hardships of the Vietnam War.

Merle Haggard - "Okie From Musgogee"

Scene Description:  Bunny talks to Junior in the barracks about "The Heads" while Merle Haggard plays on the radio in the background.

The song highlights the social divisions within the platoon. The lyrics are also a critique on hippies and drug use during the 60's & 70's.

Samuel Barber – “Adagio for Strings” (The Village)

Scene Description:  The soldiers interrogate the village, destroy the weapons, burn the village, and take the remaining villagers as prisoners.

This is a very emotional scene that close resembles the My Lai Massacre of 1968. Barber's string piece matches up brilliantly the emotion and sadness of the scene.

Georges Delirue  - "Barnes Shoot Elias"

Scene Description:  After pulling back to the landing zone, Barnes goes back into the jungle to take out Elias.

The flute in this piece sounds similar to music that you would hear in a Japanese Samurai film. It also adds a feeling of suspense and illuminates the ultimate betrayal of Elias by Barnes.

Samuel Barber  - "Adagio for Strings"

Scene Description:  The platoon evacuates by helicopter to discover that Elias is still alive and being chased by NVA soldiers.

The music fits perfectly with the scene of St. Elias's tragic death; the audience discovers that Elias was actually still alive as opposed to dying in the jungle.

Samuel Barber  - "Adagio for Strings" (Chris Taylor Monologue/LP version)

Scene Description: Taylor is put on to a medical helicopter and evacuated out of the base after suffering wounds from the fire fight from the previous night. Chris gives his final monologue and voice over for the ending of the film.

Again, Barber's piece fits perfectly with one of the most powerful scenes of the entire film. The film ends with a  powerful message, tribute, and dedication to all  of those who fought in the Vietnam War.

Other Songs From The Era

Otis Redding - "Sittin' On The Dock of The Bay"

On the DVD Director's commentary, Oliver Stone mentions that he discovered a lot of Blues music while he was in Vietnam.

Aretha Franklin - "Respect"

The song and lyrics highlighted a  period of time of time during the 60-70's when racial tensions and social unrest were prevalent.

The Doors - "Hello I Love You"

Oliver Stone discovered The Doors during his Tour in Vietnam and he would release The Doors film later in 1991.

The Rascals - "Groovin"

A popular song and hit that was released in 1967.

Percy Sledge - "When A Man Loves A Woman"

Another popular R&B song that was released in the 60's.