I Don't Want To Be Hero

Johnny Hates Jazz's song "I Don't Want To Be a Hero" is a poignant critique of war and the societal pressures that glorify it. The lyrics convey the internal conflict of a soldier who is sent off to fight in a war he does not believe in. The opening lines, "Oh, send me off to war / With a gun in my hand / But I won't pull the trigger," immediately set the tone of resistance and reluctance. The soldier is aware of the grim reality that awaits him, symbolized by the phrase "lead me to the slaughter," which starkly contrasts with the patriotic imagery of "'Neath the red, white and blue."

The song delves deeper into the psychological and emotional toll of war. The lines "Subject me to the truth / To the horror and pain / Until my mind is twisted" highlight the devastating impact of combat on a soldier's mental state. The soldier questions the morality of his actions and the expectations placed upon him, asking, "And what if I fail / Will you put me in jail / For a murder I will not commit?" This reflects a profound sense of injustice and the internal struggle between duty and personal ethics.

The final verses reveal the disillusionment and alienation faced by returning soldiers. The lyrics, "And those who return / Come back only to learn / That they're hated by those who they love," underscore the tragic irony that soldiers, who are often celebrated as heroes, may find themselves ostracized and misunderstood by their own communities. The song ultimately serves as a powerful anti-war statement, challenging the glorification of military sacrifice and urging a reevaluation of what it means to be a hero.