Billy Don't Be a Hero blue, and "riding out" (cavalry) refer to the American Civil War. However the drum beat and cavalry "riding out" is not specific to the American Civil War, and blue uniforms were common in the 19th century. That being said, Paper Lace themselves performed the song on "Top of the Pops" wearing Union-style uniforms, as can be seen on YouTube. A young woman is distraught that her fiancé chooses to enlist with Army recruiters passing through the town, causing her to implore him: The song goes on to describe how Billy is killed in action in a pitched battle after volunteering
Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976) Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976) Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976) is a box set by David Bowie, released on 23 September 2016, focused on the artist's "American Phase". A follow-up to the 2015 compilation "Five Years (1969–1973)", "Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976)" covers the period of Bowie's career from 1974 to 1976 over twelve compact discs or thirteen LPs. Exclusive to the box sets is "The Gouster", a previously unreleased album that eventually became "Young Americans", and "Re:Call 2", a new compilation of non-album singles, single versions, and B-sides that serves as the sequel to "Re:Call 1"