Guns For The Afghan Rebels

Album: 2,000,000 Voices (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Post 9/11, a song that exhorts the listener to "take these guns to Afghanistan" sounds less foolish than treasonable, but when "Guns For The Afghan Rebels" was recorded for the 1981 album 2,000,000 Voices, the Taliban were actually the good guys.

    In December 1979, the then Soviet Union sent over 100,000 troops into Afghanistan in what was to become the Kremlin's Vietnam. In 1989, after both sides had suffered terrible losses - one might ask for what purpose? - the Soviets pulled out. It was a humiliating defeat for what American President Ronald Reagan called the Evil Empire. Although Angelic Upstarts espoused a socialist/working class philosophy, there are socialists and socialists, and not a few refused to toady up to Moscow. This is definitely a song that belongs in the punk genre, angry and rightly so. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 1

  • Pedro from Rio De JaneiroOi you, the talibans were created in Pakistania refugee camps in 1994-ish. There were no talibans when this song was written. Various afghan 'freedom fighters' who were armed by USA, Saudi Arabia against Russia and communism, but no people with the ideology of the talibans. That came later.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.