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Paul Hardcastle Reworking Hit Song ‘19’ For A New Era |
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 U.K.-based instrumentalist and producer Paul Hardcastle has decided to re-record his seminal worldwide dance hit “19” to reflect new times.
It was in 1985 that “19” debuted with its spoken-word, stuttering samples of a narrator talking about Vietnam War veterans. As the song makes clear, “19” was the average age of the Vietnam soldier. The song was so well-known that Simon Fuller, who was Hardcastle’s manager at the time, would go on to name his entertainment company 19 Management, responsible for American Idol.
Hardcastle has repeatedly said in the past that he would never re-record the song. But he’s changed his mind, and here’s why: “This just may open up a can of worms, but someone has to at least stand up and be counted,” he says. “Twenty-five years ago … the idea came about whilst watching a documentary which highlighted the plight of young men and women who fought in Vietnam. ‘In World War 2 the average age of the combat soldier was 26, in Vietnam he was 19.’ These words really made me stop and think …
“At the time, it all seemed a long way from home as Vietnam was an American war, but now it seems history is repeating itself. It’s now the 25th anniversary since the release of ‘19,’ only this time the documentary I am watching is about the British soldiers who would be serving in Afghanistan. I hear the words ‘I looked at my men, the average age was 19; my God, I’m taking boys to war.’ It was unbelievable, almost the same words that gave me the original idea to record ‘19.’ This was all sounding too familiar.
“I had it in my mind to do a remix for the 25th anniversary of the original track but after hearing that, I felt it would almost be an insult not to mention the British and others, who have lost their lives in recent years whilst doing their duty … so I rewrote the song completely.
“This time the song is written from the perspective of how I would see things if I was in the position of a young soldier being sent off to war. What’s interesting is the fact that a few years earlier I was approached by the BBC to remake ‘19’ to be included in their TV program Power to the People, which highlighted the fact that there were no British hospitals for soldiers returning from duty.
“At the time I declined, but having listened to the soldiers and even high-ranking Army officials from several TV documentaries, it appears that there are many who are unsure that the way we are going about things is the right way. Some even believe this can easily become another Vietnam scenario, which would be a catastrophe for all involved. I’m not here to preach or impose my opinion on anyone and, like with the original record, I leave you to make up your own minds …”
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