This is another example of the small genre of pop with a snappy arrangement.
Considered on its own merits, the song is arguably not sap, although the
"hundred yellow ribbons" at the end push it close. Culturally, however, the
song's sap status was cemented by two factors: (a) it was played to death on
AM radio in 1973, and (b) the yellow ribbon became a symbol of the US
hostages in Iran in 1979-80. Since that date, the sight of a yellow ribbon
reminds the rare few not of hostages returning home, but of sap. Despite the
confusion of meanings, however, one fundamental question remains unanswered:
why was the singer in prison in the first place?
The song is supposedly based on a true incident.
-- SAPster Half