John Phillips’ New Anthem #818 August 31, 2007 In the Spring of 1967 ‘ San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)’ floated on airwaves across the entire world. It was the anthem of the time. The record was produced by Lou Adler and Papa John Phillips, written by Phillips, and sung by Scott McKenzie. Now as people the world over remember that time, Scott has sent us this personal story. John Phillips composed this song in late 1990 - early 1991, when going to war in Iraq was likely. He was thinking of his youngest son, who had just turned 18. John knew that many young men and women the same age might be going to war. We were in a hotel when he came into my room to play the song for me. “We’ve got to get people to hear this, Scott,” he said. In early January, 1991 we worked on its instrumental track in his small home studio in Long Island . I had to fly out to San Francisco for a few days. While I was there, Congress voted to allow U.S. troops to be used in offensive operations. On January 15, the deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait came. I always remember the date, because it’s Martin Luther King’s birthday. On January 16, Marvin Fitzwater announced “The liberation of Kuwait has begun.” Right after that, John called me and said “I guess we better finish this.” “I guess you’re right,” I said, and booked a red-eye flight out of San Francisco . I still remember how quiet the airport was, how few passengers were on the plane. People were scared of flying. On January 17, while I was recording the vocal in John’s home studio, John’s daughter Bijou rushed in. “They’ve started bombing in Bagdad ,” she said, crying. Bijou was almost 11 years old. The next day we sent out tapes of the song. Nobody called back. It’s one of the last songs ever written (but never released) by John Phillips. Gary Hartman created the Scott McKenzie website at which the song can be downloaded. Read here, download there: http://www.scottmckenzie.info/music.html We’ve Been Asking Questions by John Phillips © Phillips Tucker Music used by permission We’ve been asking questions of everyone we meet People that we’ve known for years, neighbors down the street How did it happen, how were we played for fools? Gamblin’ with our children’s lives in a game that knows no rules We need an answer, a reason why The rulers wage the wars, but our children fight and die Mothers and fathers, you’re charged with your children’s lives It’s up to you to cull between the truth and all the lies Is there a parent, livin’ on this earth Who doesn’t realize what their children’s dreams are worth? We need an answer, a reason why The rulers wage the wars, but our children fight and die Did you ever think about the pain in the night Of the mother whose child was killed in the bloody fight? Or the young veteran who comes home, but not the same Did you ever wonder how it feels to have that pain? Presidents and dictators, tyrants and the shahs Order you to go to war according to their personal laws But don’t blame your mothers and your fathers, or your feelings inside, Cause you’re all the victims of generations of lies When it comes right down to it, it’s up to you The future of the world depends on what you do. Editor’s Note: Scott has dedicated every American performance of San Francisco to Vietnam veter­ans and in 2002 sang at the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial Wall dedication.