You have to listen to another version of this song, it is about the lyrics, the message is the content here. This song is Aussie culture and history, it raises the ire of everyone who sings along with it about how our Vietnam vets were treated when they returned and we, as a Nation, will not do that again. Khe Sanh tells us to stand with our Vets despite what the media says.
The real kick to this song is the sad, heart breaking lyrics. So many Aussie Vietnam Vets returned to nothing but turmoil, loathing hatred and intense disrespect by the people. It was almost like they were forcibly excluded from the ANZACS. The media had a lot to answer for for what they did.
There's no almost about it, they were purposefully excluded from the ANZACS and the government has a lot to answer for for that as well. A lot of people forget too that a lot of the vets had no choice but to go, it was either go if your birth date was in the paper or you went to jail.
@@Maizy1985 They were never excluded, but that is exactly how they were made to feel and how everyone acted around them. The Media was the biggest culprit, it was them that segregated the returning Vets and made them all look bad for the people who followed what they said blindly. Everyone forgets what, how and why that war happened. No one expected the large scale betrayal.
Many of my friends went to Vietnam and were made to feel ashamed when they came home to being spat on, jeered etc. many have committed suicide since. My husband has suffered so much due to this as well.
Yeah that version isn't as good as the proper one to me. And yes he's singing about PTSD and mental problems suffered by veterans along with the despicable way they were treated after their service. It is anti war to some extent as it's about the negative after effects.
This is the Australian equivalent to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA.” Both songs have so many parallels. Both are about Vietnam veterans returning home. Both are about the struggles of fitting into normal society. Both were banned from radio when initially released. And both are confused for “patriotic” songs by people that have (presumably) never looked at the lyrics. Pretty wild similarities there.
“I had a brother at Khe Sanh Fighting off the Viet Cong They're still there, he's all gone He had a woman he loved in Saigon I got a picture of him in her arms now”
Mate, I think that it is the context and the time of this song that you don't get. We in Australia do not EVER forget those of us unfortunate to be sent away to fight a war in foreign lands. We forever mourn those we left behind... this a song about those lucky enough to return home, and the problems that they faced. PTSD was the least of it... how to reenter society was the greatest of it.
I was in Las Vegas in 2010 on honeymoon and we went to a bar at I think Harrah’s casino- they had duelling pianos happening that night and we got a drink and took a seat. The commonwealth games (like olympics but only for British ruled countries) was happening at the time and one of the pianists new this and randomly asked if anyone was from Britain, Canada, Australia etc and my gosh the amount of Aussies in that bar that night was crazy- we met people that lived in the next SUBURB in Sydney to us 🤦🏼♀️ the pianists decided to battle it out with 1 requested British song and 1 requested Aussie sing. ONE OF THE AMERICAN PIANINSTS KNEW THIS SONG AND PLAYED AND SANG IT PERFECTLY! We were awestruck but had to sing along too…. The aussies won the night that night 😁
This is pub rock with an awesome dose of harmonica because…why not? 😂Harmonicas, bagpipes (AC/DC, John Farnham) it’s all music & should be used wherever creativity wants to put it. The lyrics are soo important in this song & can be hard to pick up with the pace. Well worth having a look though. Thanks for the reaction ✌🏼
Amazing song. And hats off to the Vets he refers to, and all others too. This is the unofficial anthem of the Royal Australian Engineers.. the "Sappers" in the first line are Privates in the Engineer Corps..
The Battle of Khe Sanh (21 January - 9 July 1968) was conducted in the Khe Sanh area of northwestern Quảng Trị Province, Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) This was written by their keyboard player, Don Walker. It documents the life of a returned Vietnam veteran. After serving in the war, he fails to fit into society anymore. It is also about the restlessness of youth. RIP brothers Peace out.
If you've read through all the comments you will see that there is a common theme ... do the studio version with lyrics. Khe Sanh was the first single Cold Chisel released and was promptly banned from radio play. It was released only a few years after the end of the Vietnam war and as a consequence delivered a message that spoke to the trouble that many war vets experience re-entering society. This song also told us very early on that Chisel was not going to be your typical band. When you look through their extroadinary catalogue you won't find any pop 'love' songs, there is a message, they are crafted, and they are enduring.
The heart of Khe Sanh is in the lyrics. It’s a very poignant song if you heed the sentiment of the story. As the daughter of an Aussie Vietnam Veteran, this song really hits deep.
Khe Sahn (pronounced Kay San) lyrics I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh And the soul was sold with my cigarettes to the black market man I've had the Vietnam cold turkey From the ocean to the Silver City And it's only other vets could understand About the long forgotten dockside guarantees How there were no V-day heroes in nineteen seventhy-three How we sailed into Sydney Harbor Saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her She was lined, and I was home to the lucky land And she was like so many more from that time on Their lives were all so empty, till they found their chosen one And their legs were often open But their minds were always closed And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, pay packets lean And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been Car parks make me jumpy And I never stopped the dreams Or the growing need for speed and Novocaine So I worked across the country from end to end Tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend Held a job on an oil-rig Flying choppers when I could Oh but the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend And I've traveled round the world from year to year And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear And I've been back to South East Asia But the answer sure ain't there But I'm drifting north, to check things out again, yes I am Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone And only seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong There ain't nothing like the kisses From a jaded Chinese princess I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone And it's really got me worried I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry And the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone And it's really got me worried I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
@@kayelle8005 add "she was blind", not lined, and "vast suburban chains", not fast chains, and it's perfect. (That's a lot of lines to type without any mistakes, though.)
Grab a copy of the lyrics and maybe a modern history book and it will change the context for you and maybe your perspective. Alternatively, on your soon to happen visit downunder, get yourself to a bbq, party or pub and just wait for this song to come on. It will come on and I guarantee you will develop a whole new appreciation of this song and it’s impact.
Khe Sahn (pronounced Kay San) lyrics I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh And the soul was sold with my cigarettes to the black market man I've had the Vietnam cold turkey From the ocean to the Silver City And it's only other vets could understand About the long forgotten dockside guarantees How there were no V-day heroes in nineteen seventhy-three How we sailed into Sydney Harbor Saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her She was lined, and I was home to the lucky land And she was like so many more from that time on Their lives were all so empty, till they found their chosen one And their legs were often open But their minds were always closed And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, pay packets lean And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been Car parks make me jumpy And I never stopped the dreams Or the growing need for speed and Novocaine So I worked across the country from end to end Tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend Held a job on an oil-rig Flying choppers when I could Oh but the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend And I've traveled round the world from year to year And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear And I've been back to South East Asia But the answer sure ain't there But I'm drifting north, to check things out again, yes I am Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone And only seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong There ain't nothing like the kisses From a jaded Chinese princess I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone And it's really got me worried I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry And the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone And it's really got me worried I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone 2
I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh And the soul was sold with my cigarettes to the black market man I've had the Vietnam cold turkey From the ocean to the Silver City And it's only other vets could understand About the long forgotten dockside guarantees How there were no V-day heroes in nineteen seventhy-three How we sailed into Sydney Harbor Saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her She was lined, and I was home to the lucky land And she was like so many more from that time on Their lives were all so empty, till they found their chosen one And their legs were often open But their minds were always closed And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, pay packets lean And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been Car parks make me jumpy And I never stopped the dreams Or the growing need for speed and Novocaine So I worked across the country from end to end Tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend Held a job on an oil-rig Flying choppers when I could Oh but the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend And I've traveled round the world from year to year And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear And I've been back to South East Asia But the answer sure ain't there But I'm drifting north, to check things out again, yes I am Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone And only seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong There ain't nothing like the kisses From a jaded Chinese princess I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone And it's really got me worried I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry And the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone And it's really got me worried I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
Yep this is a much faster version than the album version. It’s hard to take in the lyrics that are so meaningful in this version. Check this studio version out with the lyrics. You will appreciate it much more. th-cam.com/video/dTjvG4WJD_A/w-d-xo.html
If you see Cold Chisel live you can hardly hear Jimmy singing Khe Sanh over the sound of the crowd singing. People jump up, stand on seats and generally just yell the lyrics to this song. Cold shivers!!!
Would of loved it if you had been introduced to this song by watching the original video clip. I love this live version because it was from their last concert. This song is often referred to as our unofficial National anthem. Have a listen to the lyrics again. And btw this is not country music lol
He does come into this blind though, he doesn’t know cold chisel like we do. I think he does a great job reacting to songs imo. He should have a cold chisel session and react to a lot of their hits and start to understand where jimmy started and how good of a song writer don walker is and of course how good Ian moss is and the dynamic rhythm section from Phil and Steve.
They squeezed that version because it was live. Listen to the sound track and listen to the words. My uncle was an Aussie , conscripted into the Vietnam war buy means of a bingo ball and his birth date , and for WHAT, a lot of suffering. That is what this song is about. Brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it. On ya chisel you still fucken rock.
All Aussie music from those times is an eclectic mix of Blues, Soul, Rock, Country, Ballards, and Folk music. It had to be. With a small pool of people to earn a living from, the bands had to appeal to everyone and through the these reactions we suddenly realise what an amazing bunch of talent we actually have here.
I can be literally anywhere, doing anything … and if I catch even a hint of Dons piano intro, I’m like a pointer dog…. Stop anything and everything and I immediately focus intently on this song. It’s transcending for an Aussie… solemn… hymn like
If you ever come to Oz and you are in a pub and this comes on don't say it is country sounding unless your heath insurance is paid up this is classic Aussie pub rock.
Australian Pub Rock is the best music. We were spoiled in the 70s and 80s. We had the English and American pop and Rock, but we had our own homegrown also. Check out The Church, "Under the Milky Way" or "Unguarded Moment".
Probably most popular Chisel song ever but not the version here to judge it by. Too raw, too live too fast unless you already love it. Although fairly loose on fact, this is a tribute to the returned service personnel of the Vietnam war and Fo Gen X Australia, a song of every word ingrained into our souls. Personally I have more favourite Cold Chisel songs but still love Khe Sanh 😎🎶👍🏼
This extract from the Conversation may be of interest re the song structure : “Khe Sanh has no chorus. It uses a song structure that is less common in the modern era known as one-part - or AAA - form. One-part refers to the fact that one musical idea is repeated throughout the song, and AAA is a more technical form of song structure analysis where sections of music are assigned letters, with different letters for different sections. AAA, clearly, is a situation where all sections use the same musical material. Another commonly used word for the form is strophic.”
So interesting, thanks! :) I think the closest it gets to a chorus is 'the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone' cos that's the penultimate line and everyone knows it :D
Back in the mid 80s I was on the overnight train from Sydney to Melbourne with a mate of mine and there were a bunch of sailors in the club car with us, all in our 20s and my mate sat at the piano and started fiddling away then started this song. We stood there, the whole car joined in, arms around shoulders singing our hearts out and followed with me giving each of the sailors a hug and kiss on the cheek to "pass along" to their mates. This was not long maybe 5 years, after Redgum's I was only 19 came out and we ended up singing, When the war is over and a few other songs before heading off to my cabin... alone...lol! Always did have a thing for a man in uniform!
This was their first single. It looks as though I am about to repeat what has been already clearly explained, but the key feature of this song is the lyrics, about the mixed reception a Vietnam War veteran received upon retuning home to Australia, and the difficulty he had trying to resume a "normal" life after the horror & confusion of Vietnam. The lyrics contained some refences to sex and drug use, which caused the song to be banned from commercial radio initially. It's now considered an unofficial national anthem, and is rowdily sung by expatriate Aussies when they get together at pubs/bars/parties around the world.
This was one of their earliest songs and probably their most well known. It's usually done at a slower tempo, which is kind of necessary if you want to get the true message in the lyrics. This is one example where the original studio version sounds better than this live up beat version. It's not really country, more like Australian folk-rock I guess.
Someone should have given you heads up on the history of this great war tribute song. You have to listen to it twice to get the power of it, to us Aussies and for our great VETS. I get your listening to the Jimmys great voice and unfortinately the up beat pace decieves you later think hey what did Cold Chisel just do to me. Later in life you sit back and say wow is soooo deep. I get it. Thank you Cold Chisel.
@@ThatSingerReactions no problem, he's singing very up tempo as you said, so it's hard to understand the lyrics, but it's worth replaying with lyrics when u get the chance. Keep it real brother!!
You need to hear another version this was faster than normal... this is one of their iconic songs that everyone from young to old knows the lyrics to. Its a song that plays at every BBQ, birthday, wedding any function. I love your passion for our aussie greats, i think you would love it here
This was Cold Chisel’s first ever Single Release back in 78….. it’s gone on to be a Crowd Favourite with Fans Live …. Initially banned for the Line ….there legs were often open, but there minds were Always closed…..Rock on Chisel…
This song is from their first album self titled 'Cold Chisel.' This song was banned on radio when it was released in 1978 due to the lyrics. It's a fast pace song that just builds and builds!
Someone should suggest the iconic Cold Chisel moment at the Countdown awards (their “extended” performance of My Turn To Cry) There’s this version with Jimmy Barnes’ commentary that he should watch where he talks about Countdown, Molly Meldrum and the performance: th-cam.com/video/YNUVe1GXXGo/w-d-xo.html
These are the first two verses of this alternative Australian national anthem from about 1978. No-one over 40 here doesn't know these words. I left my heart to the sappers 'round Khe Sanh And I sold my soul with my cigarettes to the blackmarket man I had the Vietnam cold turkey from the ocean to the Silver City And it's only other vets could understand About the long forgotten dockside guarantees How there were no V-Day heroes in 1973 How we sailed into Sydney Harbor, I saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her Well, she was blind, and I was home to the lucky land etc. Have a listen, as a vet myself of a couple of more recent US led wars, it still gives me goose bumps. It talks to the atrocious way way our troops were treated when they came home from Vietnam. Listen to the words. And I'm old enough to remember that when Khe Sanh came out, radio stations refused to play it because it was too confronting. ❤Australian/Kiwi cuz
The lyrics of this song are 🔥 you really need to listen to the words off stream! You talked over most of them! Maybe listen to the studio version where it is clearer? Love your reactions as always so please don’t take this the wrong way!
You'll understand it better if you read the lyrics. It's prounounced "Kay Saahn". Basically he has come back from Vietnam, is fighting PTSD, and trying to figure out what to do with his life. This version is alot faster than normally sung. Kinda song that the first line comes on & everyone starts singing & clapping along in the pub or at a party. There is a joke as some sing ppl "The last train out of Sydney's almost gone..." instead of 'plane'. Lol. 😉😁😂🍺
Chisel is blues/rock & this is their anthem.. Janelle, When the war is over etc all blues/rock my man.. Chisel played more rock than blues but its essentially blues/rock..
This is probably my 70th favourite Cold Chisel song. I still like it but love so many more of their other songs way more. Funny though how it a song that people that not as much into Cold Chisel know this song more. If it gets played in crowd setting in a pub, for example, seems like everyone sings it, even if many get the words wrong. You are right, it does have the country music type of feel to it. Cold Chisel are very versatile so it not surprising. Even play a bit of reggae in one song but mainly the kind of rock and blues band. There no other band in world that sounds like them so it is very unique chemistry they have as a band. Lucky enough to see them about three times last decade. Bucket list ticked off to see Cold Chisel, AC/DC, Midnight Oil and Prince live in this life.
Mate - Im stunned you havent covered this one yet - I thought by now you had done all our Aussie golden oldies. Youre making me feel so old. ROTFLMHO.....I remember dancing the nights away at the disco to this!
Jimmy states in his books that he used to try to whip the band and crowd up into a frenzy towards the end of the gig. I think this could be what we’re seeing here (note Jimmy slapping his hand on the piano to control the tempo and also clapping out the tempo to the crowd). The only technique we didn’t see him here use was jumping on Mossy and the other guitarist backs to speed them up. He was known to do this also.
The sound your hearing my man is Aussie Rock nit country , this be up there as chisel greatest song ever teenage Aussie from the 80s would know all the words to this one
Aussie pub rock like cold chisel has a lot of folk influence in the song writing. You really gotta know a lot about what they are singing about already to get the full experience I think. Loving the videos!
Although maybe not as much as in Australia, it cuts deep to many in NZ and for me it's connection to the past and forever this song should be held with high regard for all the returning living distraught souls and those left in Vietnam. Never Forgotten
This is an Aussie classic about how the vets got treated after the war. That's a mate of mine n harmonica. ( I'm a professional guitarist). Ian Moss is a great guitarist. Why so little from you? This is a classic here.
It tradition at uni to hold your drink up in your right hand for the duration of the song when you were at a pub. Was also tradition that the guys had to drop dacks during eagle Rock...I don't that happens anymore 😂
It wasn’t just with Uni. I’ve spent most of my life with my right arm in the air. Which is bizarre now that I think about it 😂 It’s a pub thing. Aah the Eagle Rock dack drop 🫣🤣
Yes it does. I own a pub in central Queensland and we've had to ban Eagle Rock because of that reason. Not to be the fun police because I think it's hilarious, but the crowd love to put the song on when the local coppers are doing a walk through and we get 'spoken to' lol.
Cold Chisel were brilliant because all elements were exceptional. Don Walker's lyrical genius which could tap into a person's emotions was one of those elements
First Chisel song I heard, way back in high school. Still their most iconic song imo. A lot of people used to get the words wrong and sing about ‘he last train out of Sydney’. A train by to Hong Kong? That’s some train ride!
Every time you try and pronounce a name you always get it right first time, then your beautiful brain second guesses your natural instinct/intelligence. You are awesome.
Such an incredible song. This is an up-tempo version of the original album version. I do prefer it slowed down a little, but hard not to get teary eyed listening to Khe Sanh. 👍👍
I've been listening to that song played in pubs for 40 years and never heard anyone call it country! haha Its THE Cold Chisel song that when it comes on, every person in the pub if they're not singing along, will be tapping their foot in time, and the drunks will be screaming it out the top of their lings. I believe (it was before my time) that it's iconic because of the content about Veterans coming home from Vietnam and it was actually banned from the airwaves when first released. Its somewhat of a protest song and a lamentation.
It's pronounced Kay Sarn. Anti war song about the Vietnam War (yes Australia was there). Jimmy used to drive the band faster and faster, It's all covered in his books. The harmonica takes over on same note as Jimmy. I don't think I've ever heard anyone accuse Cold Chisel as being country.
I think the beauty of this song is its lyrics and their meaning, Barnesy, and the way it is structured with the chorus only at the end. Its iconic in Australia for nationalistic reasons (an unofficial anthem) and i do love it but like yourself, there are plenty of other Chisel songs that i prefer. In its original form, it was sung at a ballad-like tempo. There is a remixed studio version (on the album Radio Songs)but personally i like the version off the self titled debut album.
Khe Sahn was a battle in Vietnam that was fought by US and Sth Vietnamese troops against the Nth Vietnamese and the Viet Cong. It was one of the more famous battles of the Vietnam war.
You have to listen to another version of this song, it is about the lyrics, the message is the content here. This song is Aussie culture and history, it raises the ire of everyone who sings along with it about how our Vietnam vets were treated when they returned and we, as a Nation, will not do that again. Khe Sanh tells us to stand with our Vets despite what the media says.
I don't think I've ever heard this version. Up tempo just feels so wrong for this song. If this was anyone but Cold Chisel there'd be mayhem.
@@ternilapilli apparently Don wrote it is a ballad. Barnes always pushed for louder, harder & Faster!
The real kick to this song is the sad, heart breaking lyrics. So many Aussie Vietnam Vets returned to nothing but turmoil, loathing hatred and intense disrespect by the people. It was almost like they were forcibly excluded from the ANZACS.
The media had a lot to answer for for what they did.
I know, right? I didn't really respect this song until I read the lyrics.
There's no almost about it, they were purposefully excluded from the ANZACS and the government has a lot to answer for for that as well. A lot of people forget too that a lot of the vets had no choice but to go, it was either go if your birth date was in the paper or you went to jail.
@@Maizy1985 They were never excluded, but that is exactly how they were made to feel and how everyone acted around them.
The Media was the biggest culprit, it was them that segregated the returning Vets and made them all look bad for the people who followed what they said blindly.
Everyone forgets what, how and why that war happened. No one expected the large scale betrayal.
Truly said, it is very sad how people hate😥
Many of my friends went to Vietnam and were made to feel ashamed when they came home to being spat on, jeered etc. many have committed suicide since. My husband has suffered so much due to this as well.
It's an anti-war song, and an anthem in Australia. They're actually doing it a fair bit faster here than in the original. Maybe 20% faster or so?
It's not an anti-war song
@@stevenmckee6134 What?!
@@carokat1111 it's not anti-war. It's more about the troubles that the veterans had when they returned home after the war
@@stevenmckee6134 true
Yeah that version isn't as good as the proper one to me.
And yes he's singing about PTSD and mental problems suffered by veterans along with the despicable way they were treated after their service. It is anti war to some extent as it's about the negative after effects.
This is the Australian equivalent to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA.” Both songs have so many parallels. Both are about Vietnam veterans returning home. Both are about the struggles of fitting into normal society. Both were banned from radio when initially released. And both are confused for “patriotic” songs by people that have (presumably) never looked at the lyrics. Pretty wild similarities there.
Yes!!!!
YES! I was just gonna comment this then saw I'd been beaten to the post :D
Khe Sanh is also in the lyrics of “Born in the USA “
@@JasonD_ Because Khe Sanh was a major American battle in the war. Australia provided some air support but no ground troops were involved.
“I had a brother at Khe Sanh
Fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone
He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now”
Mate, I think that it is the context and the time of this song that you don't get. We in Australia do not EVER forget those of us unfortunate to be sent away to fight a war in foreign lands. We forever mourn those we left behind... this a song about those lucky enough to return home, and the problems that they faced. PTSD was the least of it... how to reenter society was the greatest of it.
I was in Las Vegas in 2010 on honeymoon and we went to a bar at I think Harrah’s casino- they had duelling pianos happening that night and we got a drink and took a seat. The commonwealth games (like olympics but only for British ruled countries) was happening at the time and one of the pianists new this and randomly asked if anyone was from Britain, Canada, Australia etc and my gosh the amount of Aussies in that bar that night was crazy- we met people that lived in the next SUBURB in Sydney to us 🤦🏼♀️ the pianists decided to battle it out with 1 requested British song and 1 requested Aussie sing. ONE OF THE AMERICAN PIANINSTS KNEW THIS SONG AND PLAYED AND SANG IT PERFECTLY! We were awestruck but had to sing along too…. The aussies won the night that night 😁
That's awesome!
What s a fantastic experience to have and memory to share 💕
This is pub rock with an awesome dose of harmonica because…why not? 😂Harmonicas, bagpipes (AC/DC, John Farnham) it’s all music & should be used wherever creativity wants to put it. The lyrics are soo important in this song & can be hard to pick up with the pace. Well worth having a look though. Thanks for the reaction ✌🏼
Pre rona drunken karaoke 🇦🇺
Very important song lyrically, huge respect to those Soldiers that returned from the Vietnam War and still go through so much
Amazing song. And hats off to the Vets he refers to, and all others too.
This is the unofficial anthem of the Royal Australian Engineers.. the "Sappers" in the first line are Privates in the Engineer Corps..
my dear old mate trained at Moorebank in 89 ....passed on south of Kandahar 2002
The Battle of Khe Sanh (21 January - 9 July 1968) was conducted in the Khe Sanh area of northwestern Quảng Trị Province, Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) This was written by their keyboard player, Don Walker. It documents the life of a returned Vietnam veteran. After serving in the war, he fails to fit into society anymore. It is also about the restlessness of youth. RIP brothers Peace out.
If you've read through all the comments you will see that there is a common theme ... do the studio version with lyrics.
Khe Sanh was the first single Cold Chisel released and was promptly banned from radio play. It was released only a few years after the end of the Vietnam war and as a consequence delivered a message that spoke to the trouble that many war vets experience re-entering society.
This song also told us very early on that Chisel was not going to be your typical band. When you look through their extroadinary catalogue you won't find any pop 'love' songs, there is a message, they are crafted, and they are enduring.
The heart of Khe Sanh is in the lyrics. It’s a very poignant song if you heed the sentiment of the story. As the daughter of an Aussie Vietnam Veteran, this song really hits deep.
Khe Sahn (pronounced Kay San) lyrics
I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh
And the soul was sold with my cigarettes to the black market man
I've had the Vietnam cold turkey
From the ocean to the Silver City
And it's only other vets could understand
About the long forgotten dockside guarantees
How there were no V-day heroes in nineteen seventhy-three
How we sailed into Sydney Harbor
Saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her
She was lined, and I was home to the lucky land
And she was like so many more from that time on
Their lives were all so empty, till they found their chosen one
And their legs were often open
But their minds were always closed
And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains
And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, pay packets lean
And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been
Car parks make me jumpy
And I never stopped the dreams
Or the growing need for speed and Novocaine
So I worked across the country from end to end
Tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend
Held a job on an oil-rig
Flying choppers when I could
Oh but the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend
And I've traveled round the world from year to year
And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear
And I've been back to South East Asia
But the answer sure ain't there
But I'm drifting north, to check things out again, yes I am
Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And only seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong
There ain't nothing like the kisses
From a jaded Chinese princess
I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long
Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
And the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
Thanks for doing that. I think line 2 needs an edit: and my soul was sold with my cigarettes to the black market man.
@@kayelle8005 add "she was blind", not lined, and "vast suburban chains", not fast chains, and it's perfect. (That's a lot of lines to type without any mistakes, though.)
Lined, slang for engaged, as in lined up for marriage.
@@daveh6319I thought lined was a metaphore for lined as in syringe drug use up her arms ??? Corrected i will stand ???🙄🙄😁😁😊
Grab a copy of the lyrics and maybe a modern history book and it will change the context for you and maybe your perspective.
Alternatively, on your soon to happen visit downunder, get yourself to a bbq, party or pub and just wait for this song to come on. It will come on and I guarantee you will develop a whole new appreciation of this song and it’s impact.
Khe Sahn (pronounced Kay San) lyrics
I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh
And the soul was sold with my cigarettes to the black market man
I've had the Vietnam cold turkey
From the ocean to the Silver City
And it's only other vets could understand
About the long forgotten dockside guarantees
How there were no V-day heroes in nineteen seventhy-three
How we sailed into Sydney Harbor
Saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her
She was lined, and I was home to the lucky land
And she was like so many more from that time on
Their lives were all so empty, till they found their chosen one
And their legs were often open
But their minds were always closed
And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains
And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, pay packets lean
And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been
Car parks make me jumpy
And I never stopped the dreams
Or the growing need for speed and Novocaine
So I worked across the country from end to end
Tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend
Held a job on an oil-rig
Flying choppers when I could
Oh but the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend
And I've traveled round the world from year to year
And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear
And I've been back to South East Asia
But the answer sure ain't there
But I'm drifting north, to check things out again, yes I am
Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And only seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong
There ain't nothing like the kisses
From a jaded Chinese princess
I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long
Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
And the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
2
@@paulsexton1780 Hey I'm true blue! I put up the lyrics for those who aren't Aussies, so that they would understand our connection to the song!!
Our National Anthem 💖💜💖
I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh
And the soul was sold with my cigarettes to the black market man
I've had the Vietnam cold turkey
From the ocean to the Silver City
And it's only other vets could understand
About the long forgotten dockside guarantees
How there were no V-day heroes in nineteen seventhy-three
How we sailed into Sydney Harbor
Saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her
She was lined, and I was home to the lucky land
And she was like so many more from that time on
Their lives were all so empty, till they found their chosen one
And their legs were often open
But their minds were always closed
And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains
And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, pay packets lean
And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been
Car parks make me jumpy
And I never stopped the dreams
Or the growing need for speed and Novocaine
So I worked across the country from end to end
Tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend
Held a job on an oil-rig
Flying choppers when I could
Oh but the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend
And I've traveled round the world from year to year
And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear
And I've been back to South East Asia
But the answer sure ain't there
But I'm drifting north, to check things out again, yes I am
Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And only seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong
There ain't nothing like the kisses
From a jaded Chinese princess
I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long
Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
And the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
Yep this is a much faster version than the album version. It’s hard to take in the lyrics that are so meaningful in this version.
Check this studio version out with the lyrics. You will appreciate it much more. th-cam.com/video/dTjvG4WJD_A/w-d-xo.html
If you see Cold Chisel live you can hardly hear Jimmy singing Khe Sanh over the sound of the crowd singing. People jump up, stand on seats and generally just yell the lyrics to this song. Cold shivers!!!
Would of loved it if you had been introduced to this song by watching the original video clip. I love this live version because it was from their last concert. This song is often referred to as our unofficial National anthem. Have a listen to the lyrics again. And btw this is not country music lol
This dude watches the wrong version of the track sometimes, he is missing the point of what he is asked to review
Cos he watches a bad version of the song he reviews
He does come into this blind though, he doesn’t know cold chisel like we do. I think he does a great job reacting to songs imo. He should have a cold chisel session and react to a lot of their hits and start to understand where jimmy started and how good of a song writer don walker is and of course how good Ian moss is and the dynamic rhythm section from Phil and Steve.
Yeh but if you paid for it, ya might feel ripped off, people should start sending the exact video they want reviewed
I think in this case the person requested this version
They squeezed that version because it was live. Listen to the sound track and listen to the words. My uncle was an Aussie , conscripted into the Vietnam war buy means of a bingo ball and his birth date , and for WHAT, a lot of suffering. That is what this song is about. Brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it. On ya chisel you still fucken rock.
All Aussie music from those times is an eclectic mix of Blues, Soul, Rock, Country, Ballards, and Folk music. It had to be.
With a small pool of people to earn a living from, the bands had to appeal to everyone and through the these reactions we suddenly realise what an amazing bunch of talent we actually have here.
Every time this song starts whether it’s chisel or jimmy solo the crowd absolutely erupts , gives me goosebumps lol
I can be literally anywhere, doing anything … and if I catch even a hint of Dons piano intro, I’m like a pointer dog…. Stop anything and everything and I immediately focus intently on this song. It’s transcending for an Aussie… solemn… hymn like
+volume
If you ever come to Oz and you are in a pub and this comes on don't say it is country sounding unless your heath insurance is paid up this is classic Aussie pub rock.
hahahahahahaaa .... I don't think I could imagine old Slim Dusty singing this at Tamworth ;)
Australian Pub Rock is the best music. We were spoiled in the 70s and 80s. We had the English and American pop and Rock, but we had our own homegrown also. Check out The Church, "Under the Milky Way" or "Unguarded Moment".
Such a great song
I think every Aussie knows this song of by heart definitely a singalong song at my family gatherings
Probably most popular Chisel song ever but not the version here to judge it by. Too raw, too live too fast unless you already love it. Although fairly loose on fact, this is a tribute to the returned service personnel of the Vietnam war and Fo Gen X Australia, a song of every word ingrained into our souls. Personally I have more favourite Cold Chisel songs but still love Khe Sanh 😎🎶👍🏼
I’ve never heard this played so fast. I remember being in a pub in London and this song came on and every Australian stopped and sang this.
This is 1 of Australia's fave Cold Chisel songs. Because of its meaning..
This extract from the Conversation may be of interest re the song structure :
“Khe Sanh has no chorus. It uses a song structure that is less common in the modern era known as one-part - or AAA - form. One-part refers to the fact that one musical idea is repeated throughout the song, and AAA is a more technical form of song structure analysis where sections of music are assigned letters, with different letters for different sections. AAA, clearly, is a situation where all sections use the same musical material. Another commonly used word for the form is strophic.”
And this is why I love you lol
@@ThatSingerReactions 😉
That’s so interesting! Thank you for sharing 😊
So interesting, thanks! :) I think the closest it gets to a chorus is 'the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone' cos that's the penultimate line and everyone knows it :D
@@ruth4376 definitely worth reading the full article in the Conversation about this song!
Back in the mid 80s I was on the overnight train from Sydney to Melbourne with a mate of mine and there were a bunch of sailors in the club car with us, all in our 20s and my mate sat at the piano and started fiddling away then started this song. We stood there, the whole car joined in, arms around shoulders singing our hearts out and followed with me giving each of the sailors a hug and kiss on the cheek to "pass along" to their mates. This was not long maybe 5 years, after Redgum's I was only 19 came out and we ended up singing, When the war is over and a few other songs before heading off to my cabin... alone...lol!
Always did have a thing for a man in uniform!
This is my favourite Cold Chisel song. 💕💕 That harmonica playing is insane.
🔥Awsome Song though ! 🤘
Aussie Pub Song - Unofficial Australian Anthem lol.......
This was their first single. It looks as though I am about to repeat what has been already clearly explained, but the key feature of this song is the lyrics, about the mixed reception a Vietnam War veteran received upon retuning home to Australia, and the difficulty he had trying to resume a "normal" life after the horror & confusion of Vietnam.
The lyrics contained some refences to sex and drug use, which caused the song to be banned from commercial radio initially. It's now considered an unofficial national anthem, and is rowdily sung by expatriate Aussies when they get together at pubs/bars/parties around the world.
As others have said - Australia's unofficial national anthem! I've always thought of this as more in the rockabilly style.
This was song of the millennium in 2000 in Australia. It means a hell of alot to us
Cold chisel , one of the best rock bands ever created in Australia and the world for that matter
One of my favourite Cold Chisel songs. I'm not sure if you've heard 'Goodbye Astrid', but I think you'd love it.
This is probably Cold Chisel's biggest/most well known song.. Australian's know every word.
This was one of their earliest songs and probably their most well known. It's usually done at a slower tempo, which is kind of necessary if you want to get the true message in the lyrics. This is one example where the original studio version sounds better than this live up beat version. It's not really country, more like Australian folk-rock I guess.
Someone should have given you heads up on the history of this great war tribute song.
You have to listen to it twice to get the power of it, to us Aussies and for our great VETS.
I get your listening to the Jimmys great voice and unfortinately the up beat pace decieves you later think hey what did Cold Chisel just do to me.
Later in life you sit back and say wow is soooo deep. I get it. Thank you Cold Chisel.
Singing this song while holding a pint of draught beer should be the only prerequisite of becoming an Aussie citizen
This is a anti war song and is strong on lyrics, so it's important to know them imo.
That's why I'm glad I have yall here cause I didn't know and I go into reactions blind so it can be super authentic so I had no clue
@@ThatSingerReactions no problem, he's singing very up tempo as you said, so it's hard to understand the lyrics, but it's worth replaying with lyrics when u get the chance.
Keep it real brother!!
It's not an anti war song
@@stevenmckee6134 the lyrics suggest otherwise.
@@TheKwod it's about the troubles veterans had when they returned home after the war
This why so many love Jimmy. Big in country scene, soul but known as pub rock this
This song is anthemic in Australia. Cold Chisel at their finest. Every home in Austraia knows this song!
It's a salute to Vietnam Vets returning from a pointless and traumatic war.
My son was born 10 years after this song was released but it is one of his favourite songs and he knows every word.
Khe Sanh is a very Australian song... Interesting fact... it was written without a chorus... unusual 👍😊
Great pub anthem after a few beers
You need to hear another version this was faster than normal... this is one of their iconic songs that everyone from young to old knows the lyrics to. Its a song
that plays at every BBQ, birthday, wedding any function. I love your passion for our aussie greats, i think you would love it here
This was and still is perfection and an Australian classic
Some songs are all about the lyrics rather than the beat. This particular song has meaning .
This was Cold Chisel’s first ever Single Release back in 78….. it’s gone on to be a Crowd Favourite with Fans Live …. Initially banned for the Line ….there legs were often open, but there minds were Always closed…..Rock on Chisel…
Chisel is a phenomenal band 💯
And drug references.
Jimmy has said many times this is one of his favourite songs
This song is from their first album self titled 'Cold Chisel.' This song was banned on radio when it was released in 1978 due to the lyrics. It's a fast pace song that just builds and builds!
one of their biggest hits and Vietnam song, find a live version and everyone in the crowd singing along.
some maybe 'last train' though
This will be one of your favourite Cold Chisel songs (I promise you), when you listen to a bit of a slower version. Another Jimmy Barnes anthem.
Another Aussie classic, from at legendary Aussie Band, great reaction as usual Nick👍
Someone should suggest the iconic Cold Chisel moment at the Countdown awards (their “extended” performance of My Turn To Cry)
There’s this version with Jimmy Barnes’ commentary that he should watch where he talks about Countdown, Molly Meldrum and the performance:
th-cam.com/video/YNUVe1GXXGo/w-d-xo.html
their words were so true in that one and the shock factor worked really well
Our National Anthem 🇦🇺
These are the first two verses of this alternative Australian national anthem from about 1978. No-one over 40 here doesn't know these words.
I left my heart to the sappers 'round Khe Sanh
And I sold my soul with my cigarettes to the blackmarket man
I had the Vietnam cold turkey from the ocean to the Silver City
And it's only other vets could understand
About the long forgotten dockside guarantees
How there were no V-Day heroes in 1973
How we sailed into Sydney Harbor, I saw an old friend but I couldn't kiss her
Well, she was blind, and I was home to the lucky land
etc.
Have a listen, as a vet myself of a couple of more recent US led wars, it still gives me goose bumps. It talks to the atrocious way way our troops were treated when they came home from Vietnam. Listen to the words.
And I'm old enough to remember that when Khe Sanh came out, radio stations refused to play it because it was too confronting.
❤Australian/Kiwi cuz
Their first single and an Aussie anthem about a returning Vietnam Veteran 👌👌🇦🇺🇦🇺
You had me at, “..and THAT man” when you seen Ian Moss, after John Farnham Ian is our next best voice 👍
The lyrics of this song are 🔥 you really need to listen to the words off stream! You talked over most of them! Maybe listen to the studio version where it is clearer? Love your reactions as always so please don’t take this the wrong way!
Awesome 👏
This was their greatest and biggest selling song..
It’s usually sung a lot slower than that, the unofficial Aussie anthem in a lot of ways
This is a great Australian PUB SONG... always hear this at every pub in Australia
You'll understand it better if you read the lyrics. It's prounounced "Kay Saahn". Basically he has come back from Vietnam, is fighting PTSD, and trying to figure out what to do with his life. This version is alot faster than normally sung. Kinda song that the first line comes on & everyone starts singing & clapping along in the pub or at a party. There is a joke as some sing ppl "The last train out of Sydney's almost gone..." instead of 'plane'. Lol. 😉😁😂🍺
I’ve only just started to watch this video but I’m excited for you !! Best song ever and we sing along every time ❤️
Chisel is blues/rock & this is their anthem.. Janelle, When the war is over etc all blues/rock my man.. Chisel played more rock than blues but its essentially blues/rock..
This is probably my 70th favourite Cold Chisel song.
I still like it but love so many more of their other songs way more.
Funny though how it a song that people that not as much into Cold Chisel know this song more.
If it gets played in crowd setting in a pub, for example, seems like everyone sings it, even if many get the words wrong.
You are right, it does have the country music type of feel to it.
Cold Chisel are very versatile so it not surprising. Even play a bit of reggae in one song but mainly the kind of rock and blues band. There no other band in world that sounds like them so it is very unique chemistry they have as a band. Lucky enough to see them about three times last decade.
Bucket list ticked off to see Cold Chisel, AC/DC, Midnight Oil and Prince live in this life.
Mate - Im stunned you havent covered this one yet - I thought by now you had done all our Aussie golden oldies. Youre making me feel so old. ROTFLMHO.....I remember dancing the nights away at the disco to this!
The words. This song is all about the words. 👍
Jimmy states in his books that he used to try to whip the band and crowd up into a frenzy towards the end of the gig. I think this could be what we’re seeing here (note Jimmy slapping his hand on the piano to control the tempo and also clapping out the tempo to the crowd). The only technique we didn’t see him here use was jumping on Mossy and the other guitarist backs to speed them up. He was known to do this also.
This is the song that made chisel and Jimmy’s careers.
The sound your hearing my man is Aussie Rock nit country , this be up there as chisel greatest song ever teenage Aussie from the 80s would know all the words to this one
Aussie pub rock like cold chisel has a lot of folk influence in the song writing. You really gotta know a lot about what they are singing about already to get the full experience I think. Loving the videos!
Sorry to say this but nobody from overseas would understand this song only Australians do and love it. Great song ✌
Although maybe not as much as in Australia, it cuts deep to many in NZ and for me it's connection to the past and forever this song should be held with high regard for all the returning living distraught souls and those left in Vietnam. Never Forgotten
You need to hear the record version. This was at the end of the group. It's the unofficial Australian anthem. Classic tune.
Definitely read lyrics and the slower paced version is be the. I think there is a accoustic version out there as well
Legendary song... thank you!
This is an Aussie classic about how the vets got treated after the war. That's a mate of mine n harmonica. ( I'm a professional guitarist). Ian Moss is a great guitarist. Why so little from you? This is a classic here.
It tradition at uni to hold your drink up in your right hand for the duration of the song when you were at a pub. Was also tradition that the guys had to drop dacks during eagle Rock...I don't that happens anymore 😂
It wasn’t just with Uni. I’ve spent most of my life with my right arm in the air. Which is bizarre now that I think about it 😂 It’s a pub thing. Aah the Eagle Rock dack drop 🫣🤣
🤣🤣🤣
Yes it does. I own a pub in central Queensland and we've had to ban Eagle Rock because of that reason. Not to be the fun police because I think it's hilarious, but the crowd love to put the song on when the local coppers are doing a walk through and we get 'spoken to' lol.
Cold Chisel were brilliant because all elements were exceptional. Don Walker's lyrical genius which could tap into a person's emotions was one of those elements
Khe Sanh -
This is about Vietnam vets coming home from the war. We had conscription. It was compulsory to go if you DOB came up 🇦🇺
Everybody please stand for the Australian National Anthem.
First Chisel song I heard, way back in high school. Still their most iconic song imo. A lot of people used to get the words wrong and sing about ‘he last train out of Sydney’. A train by to Hong Kong? That’s some train ride!
pronounce like KAY SAN. jimmys a legend.
Song always reminds me of my dad RIP digger
Every time you try and pronounce a name you always get it right first time, then your beautiful brain second guesses your natural instinct/intelligence. You are awesome.
Yes normally at a slower pace. Full of meaning which is amplified when slower
Such an incredible song. This is an up-tempo version of the original album version. I do prefer it slowed down a little, but hard not to get teary eyed listening to Khe Sanh. 👍👍
Listen to the lyrics mate! Watch the original release with lyrics. Its about Australian Vietnam vets and what they went through. Love your work!
I've been listening to that song played in pubs for 40 years and never heard anyone call it country! haha
Its THE Cold Chisel song that when it comes on, every person in the pub if they're not singing along, will be tapping their foot in time, and the drunks will be screaming it out the top of their lings.
I believe (it was before my time) that it's iconic because of the content about Veterans coming home from Vietnam and it was actually banned from the airwaves when first released. Its somewhat of a protest song and a lamentation.
It's pronounced Kay Sarn. Anti war song about the Vietnam War (yes Australia was there). Jimmy used to drive the band faster and faster, It's all covered in his books. The harmonica takes over on same note as Jimmy. I don't think I've ever heard anyone accuse Cold Chisel as being country.
I think the beauty of this song is its lyrics and their meaning, Barnesy, and the way it is structured with the chorus only at the end. Its iconic in Australia for nationalistic reasons (an unofficial anthem) and i do love it but like yourself, there are plenty of other Chisel songs that i prefer. In its original form, it was sung at a ballad-like tempo. There is a remixed studio version (on the album Radio Songs)but personally i like the version off the self titled debut album.
Khe Sahn was a battle in Vietnam that was fought by US and Sth Vietnamese troops against the Nth Vietnamese and the Viet Cong. It was one of the more famous battles of the Vietnam war.
This is my favourite song ever. You need to understand the words and the meaning. Australian anthem