Long before podcasts and audio storytelling became mainstream, Bill Cosby released one of the most unusual hits of his career. In 1970, his spoken-word single “Grover Henson Feels Forgotten” told the haunting story of a lonely soldier struggling with isolation and heartbreak. Released as a 7-inch 45 RPM record on UNI Records, the track unexpectedly resonated with listeners and climbed to No. 70 on the Billboard chart, reaching its peak 56 years ago today.
In 1970, spoken-word records rarely broke through on mainstream radio, which made “Grover Henson Feels Forgotten” quite rare. Rather than following the typical structure of a pop single, for example, Cosby’s track is more like a short, cinematic monologue—with the Vietnam War as its backdrop.
The lyrics tell the story of Grover Henson, a soldier who hasn’t received any mail—other than his income tax bill. He decides to write himself a letter, and, in the process, reveals that he’s never known the love of a mother and a father. He goes on to ask God to send him one letter before his time on earth is up.
Cosby, who was best known for his comedy in the 1970s, released a number of spoken-word and music tracks over the course of his career. For example, he released “Funky North Philly” in 1968 and “I Luv Myself Better Than I Luv Myself” in 1976.
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This story was originally published by Parade on May 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
