Bonnie and the Treasures - Home of the Brave (1965)

Charted at #77 on Billboard Hot 100 in August 1965. The lead singer is Charlotte O'Hara (pictured). There was a competing version by Jody Miller which charted at #25. Original Billboard review: "Teen sound interpretation of the hot teen message piece of material. Driving beat from start to finish and vocal reading to match." Both singles were reviewed back to back in Billboard so they were released around the same time. Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. B-side is "Our Song". Lyrics: Home of the Brave The school board says he cant come to school no more. Unless he wears his hair like he wore it before. The PTA and all of the mothers, say he ought-a look like the others. Home of the Brave, Land of the Free. Oh, why wont the let him be what he wants to be? The kids all laugh at his hair and his funny clothes. And more than once hes gone home with a bloody nose. Hes not like them and they cant ignore it. So they all hate him for it. Home of the Brave, Land of the Free. Oh, why wont they let him be what he wants to be? (Why?) He never hurt no-body. (Why) Doesnt he belong? (Why?) Cause hes a little bit different. Tell my why is that so wrong? Everybody says I shouldnt take his part. But when they put him down how it breaks my heart. Instead of all the trouble they hand him, why dont the try to understand him? Home of the Brave, Land of the Free. Oh, why wont they let him be what he wants to be? Home of the Brave, Land of the Free. Oh, why wont they let him be what he wants to be? Etc.