I Don't Want to be a Hero
Encyclopedia
"I Don't Want to be a Hero" is a 1987 song by the British band Johnny Hates Jazz
. It reached #11 in the UK top 40 in August 1987 spending 10 weeks on the chart. It is taken from their #1 album Turn Back the Clock.
. It has a strong anti-war sentiment and is written from the perspective of a soldier who is questioning their participation in what they consider an unjust war. The band's American record company were reluctant to release the single in the U.S. because of its anti-war stance.
The song makes references to conscription
and propaganda
.
Johnny Hates Jazz
Johnny Hates Jazz is an Anglo-American Pop/Rock band, formed in 1986 by Clark Datchler , Mike Nocito , and Calvin Hayes...
. It reached #11 in the UK top 40 in August 1987 spending 10 weeks on the chart. It is taken from their #1 album Turn Back the Clock.
Writing and inspiration
The song was written by the band's lead singer and main songwriter, Clark DatchlerClark Datchler
Clark Datchler is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer...
. It has a strong anti-war sentiment and is written from the perspective of a soldier who is questioning their participation in what they consider an unjust war. The band's American record company were reluctant to release the single in the U.S. because of its anti-war stance.
The song makes references to conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
and propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
.
Chart performance
| Chart (1987/1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart | 22 |
| Belgian Singles Chart | 13 |
| Canadian Retail Sales Chart | 19 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 16 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 25 |
| French Singles Chart | 32 |
| German Singles Chart | 17 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 13 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 11 |
| Polish Singles Chart | 14 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 10 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 12 |
| UK Singles Chart | 11 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 31 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart | 15 |
| U.S. Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart | 19 |