Billy Don't Be a Hero Billy Don't Be a Hero "Billy Don't Be a Hero" is a 1974 pop song that was first a UK hit for Paper Lace and then, some months later, a US hit for Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods. The song was written and composed by two British songwriters, Mitch Murray and Peter Callander. Because the song was released in 1974, it was associated by some listeners with the Vietnam War, though the war to which it actually refers is never identified in the lyrics. It has been suggested that the drum pattern, references to a marching band leading soldiers in
Anyone Who Had a Heart (song) had a kind of long-term stickability, which is so very hard to achieve in this business." Black recorded a new version of "Anyone Who Had a Heart" for her 1993 "Through the Years" album. "Anyone Who Had a Heart" backed with "They Say It's Wonderful" was the third and final Fontana release by Mary May in January 1964 following "Listen, All You Lovers" in April 1962 and "Our Day Will Come" in February 1963. Nothing else is known of her. On 7 August 2015, following Black's death, the single re-entered the charts at number 41. "Anyone Who Had a Heart"