Pittsburgh music veteran John Vento has released “That Damn War (Father & Son)” with lyrics based on a Matt Wohlfarth poem.
Even though we specifically focus on a Vietnam Vet in the song, it could have been anybody who struggles between certain demons (addiction, divorce, etc.) and their family responsibilities.”— John Vento
Last month, Pittsburgh music veteran John Vento fulfilled his promise of releasing a gospel song. “Let God Drive,” written by Vento and long-time collaborators David Granati and Matt Wohlfarth, shot straight to the top of the UK ITunes Christian/Gospel songs chart. It followed suit on the Christian Radio Chart, hitting the top in its first week of release. Now, Vento is stripping things back from the highly produced “Let God Drive.”
On Father’s Day, June 20th, 2021, John Vento will release Track 8 from his year-long “Brick By Brick” album release. Produced by Vento and David Granati, “That Damn War (Father & Son)” is in stark contrast to the full-production of his previous single. With only Granati accompanying him on acoustic guitar, Vento delivers an emotional tale about a father, son and the Vietnam War. Lyrics are based on a Matt Wohlfarth poem titled “I Didn’t Know My Dad Until He Died.”
Vento says, “That Damn War (Father & Son) is very intimate and raw. David and I began working on Matt’s lyrics, but we just couldn’t get it to click. After weeks of false starts, David came up with a new chord progression, and things moved very quickly from there. Matt and I revised the lyrics and fine-tuned the story of a Vietnam Vet who, even with his emotional struggles, was a good dad who loved and supported his family.”
He continues, “Even though we specifically focus on a Vietnam Vet in the song, it could have been anybody who struggles between certain demons (addiction, divorce, etc.) and their family responsibilities. In other words this song is about relationships.”
Watch the Jim Pitulski-produced video for “That Damn War (Father & Son)” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbcHIGDCFzA
ABOUT JOHN VENTO: In addition to his solo career, John Vento fronts The Nied’s Hotel Band, voted Pittsburgh’s Best Bar Band in 2016. Through his performances, he has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for charity. John is a Communitas Award Winner for his work as co-founder of Band Together Pittsburgh. His leadership, generosity and work ethic are well known throughout the Pittsburgh music scene. John is a #1 international iTunes charting artist, a Billboard Magazine Emerging Artist and a 2019 International Music and Entertainment Association Award Winner. He has appeared on Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC TV.
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Lyrics – “That Damn War (Father & Son)”
Dad you were always there for me
Never missed my little league
Though you were busy working hard
To provide for our family
But your mind was still haunted
Couldn’t close the door
On that damn war
Your words were few and far between
With just a glance I knew what you’d mean
Saw so much pain and anguish
Chasing ghosts inside your dreams
Mom would say I wish ya knew him before
That damn war
You never got a welcome home
You never talked about Vietnam
You lived through the fall of Saigon, But
A part of you, never came back
You found comfort in the pouring rain in the middle of the night
You locked that torment deep inside and gave us a better life
I remember our trips to Crooked Creek where we’d catch that steelhead run
It was the only time you let me in
Just a father and son
Though you been gone for so many years
On this Father’s Day I wiped my tears
And opened your old tackle box for the first time
Much to my surprise I found
Your Purple Heart
From that damn war
