Cold Chisel - Khe Sanh (1978) - REACTION - Back in the day!

[@Dr_KAP]

The genius of Don Walker (on the Yamaha) - he is known till this day for creating incredible lyrics and as you can see here also experimenting with song structures- no chorus- every Aussie knows the words to this song, it’s like an anthem

[@jeremykothe2847]

Hey Kap. The intro alone for this song is sublime, with the layering. And of course the words that resonate with those that understand...

[@SH-qs7ee]

Its how you Find Aussies wherever you are in the world. Just walk into a bar and sing out "Left my heart to the sappers 'round Khe Sahn", then listen to who answers back.

[@colinweir3203]

Im 61, my brother served in Vietnam as a sapper in the Australian army. He's 75, told me some unreal shit from the Vietnam war. Cold Chisel awesome Australian band.

[@rosiekickett2617]

Khe Sahn is the greatest Aussie pub song ever...u can listen to it over and over & never be sick of it...AUSSIE ANTHEM

[@wayback479]

Hey D. This is a right up there with Bow river . This is a Chisel classic . Khe Sanh is a town in Vietnam. It was written by Don Walker on keyboards . Aussie vet returning home from the Vietnamese war zone trying to adjust to civilian life . Check out the battle of Khe Sanh and then this song really hits home 😢 Nice mate 😊

[@jeremykothe2847]

Oh f you mate, this is way above Bow River. BR is a vibe. This is an identity.

[@PaulA-bv1rt]

We weren't at Khe Sanh.

[@kekenooutthere3095]

Cold Chisel - also listen to Bow River, Cheap Wine & You Got Nothing I Want - the band's response to US music label offers?

[@trumpsta4759]

The official lyrics video is actually worth watching for this one to appreciate the words.

[@jeremykothe2847]

If you're not an aussie, I think you need lyrics to follow. If you're an aussie, you know the lyrics.

[@dashamanstevo5326]

You have to hear them do this live!! Salute to my Uncle P.Stewy.... Royal Australian Navy who served in Vietnam, not as a conscript, but of his own free will. He now supports returned servicemen from all theatres getting past their trauma and readjusting to life as we know it, and as they once remembered. We will remember. Lest We Forget.

[@davidlillecrapp2960]

It's a place in Vietnam. Take others advice and watch it with the lyrics and you'll say to yourself . . . "Oh I understand now"

[@esoteric_1]

Don Walker's nihilism became a national anthem when i was 15 Forever Now was my favourite Cold Chisel song Breakfast at Sweethearts was a close 2nd

[@kazz3956]

Cold Chisel are fire, and I mean that in the best way. They all look so young. Jimmy would be 21 or 22 here, but he was a teenager when he started. He is my favourite artist ❤

[@georgeibrahim7945]

This song is such a classic, love the song it’s one of my favourites.

[@ianwalker5842]

Maybe you could Google the lyrics of songs (and Wikipedia info) when you react to them? This song is about so much more than the music.

[@mitchellbeston1033]

This was banned on Australian radio due to the line "their legs were often open, but their minds were always closed". Ultimately, it just made the song more popular, and over time the fans have made it an unofficial Australian anthem. Ask any Australian about Khe Sanh and they will answer Cold Chisel. (it's actually a place in Vietnam where vicious fighting took place during the Vietnam/American war) Any Australian who does not like or know this song, just became an un-Australian. You might notice by now that Chisel doesn't stick with traditional song structure. This song had no real chorus. Check out Taipan by Cold Chisel.

[@MW15962]

Chisel is the soundtrack of my youth. My fave line from this song is, "there ain't nothing like the kisses from a jaded Chinese princess, I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long".

[@BoldRam]

Cold Chisel is the first pick on any road trip or out on the boat. Love that you're committed to live performances where possible. I need to see the performance and the music actually being made. Subscribed and bell rung. ❤❤🙏🙏

[@Tom-kt8lu]

I took one look at you and knew you’d love it.

[@RolandjHearn]

A new years eve that does not have this song and Daddy Cool's Eagle Rock is a bad omen for the year ahead.

[@TheCookycooks]

This is one of my favourite cold chisel songs

[@spekz7070]

I was born in '78 (46 now) and Chisel were out smashing every song even then, Top 5 greatest bands of all time, anywhere in the world!!

[@TheMichaelseymour]

great band

[@zebedeedoodaah6454]

Top shelf mate!.👍 Luvit!.👍

[@jemxs]

Fantastic song, classic anthem! Khe Sanh was a famous battle of the Vietnam War, strange since no Australians were involved, still a great title!

[@G.H.O.S.T.254]

He mentions flying choppers when he could. And Australian RAAF did supply limited air support in Khe Sanh.

[@jemxs]

@@G.H.O.S.T.254 True

[@jemxs]

@@G.H.O.S.T.254 Dr Kap mentioned in a post recently that they purposely chose a battle that Aussies were little involved in to avoid triggering Aussie vets.

[@hairy-dairyman]

Redgum did a cover of this that opened with the modified lyric "well i owe my life to the choppers at long tan." A little more authentic to the Australian vietnam experience.

[@pats3071]

Aussie RAAF pilots were at Khe Sanh and the character of this song was a pilot in Vietnam

[@alyciasmith1964]

You might also like "I was only 19" by Redgum.

[@liamfahey7836]

Banned on radio when first released as the government didn’t want any negative Vietnam song on the radio

[@julzhunt7790]

Great reaction mate👍🏼❤️🇦🇺😊

[@chrisbuesnell3428]

How does an american not know what khe san is ? It was a battle in the vietnam war where the us took a huge loss of life

[@paulrichardson5892]

khe sanh was a military base in vietnam

[@357HFC]

Khe Sanh not sure Aussies were ever there, could be wrong. FKN great Aussie song, thanks Don!

[@sandramartin-my6gi]

Yes they were. Just google it if you don’t know.

[@RebeccaGriffin-b8n]

This was when Jimmy could sing, now he just SCREAMS.

[@Philby17]

it's not screaming if there's vibrato.

[@NannaTina]

Do you understand the lyrics. He’s back from war and is suffering from severe ptsd. He’s catching the last plane from Sydney to Hong Kong, to find a teenage Chinese princess. Fingers crossed it’s all legal.

[@johnpeters4084]

This isn't live, they're miming to the studio version. This link here is a live version from around this time if you'd like to look at it, even then this live version is pretty tame compared to some of their shows. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHbFlYKGmpeqd9E

[@mzrepresented2397]

The only Chisel that you need to watch the original video is You've Got Nothing I Want ❤

[@mzrepresented2397]

and maybe Choir Girl

[@MariaBM1]

And Saturday Night 😄

[@landrmonty]

Was a very tough battle the Australian troops fought in Vietnam

[@jollyroger1009]

Studio versions are just as good. As long as it's them. Maybe try "Merry Go Round" next.

[@janmeyer3129]

Americans not understanding the Vietnam War reference?

[@petert24turner71]

Listen to Flame trees,

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

you got nothing I want, next?

[@ethanschafer5770]

lol dude i’m sorry to be hateful, so bear with me, but you missed the entire point of the song. I appreciate and authentic “First time listener’s reaction,” But I’m really surprised you didn’t pick up on the fact that the song is about a veteran returning home from Vietnam.

[@seanh4841]

And the lack of respect from the Aussie media

[@jojet1980]

If u want to know who Is an Australian in any bar in the world play this song and the cheer of bloody oath will be yelled

[@homebrewstudio-v9d]

Hey, check out this doco on them it is great

[@pats3071]

Don’t mean to be disrespectful but you’ve got an American flag behind you and you’ve never heard of Khe Sanh? That’s like never having heard of Omaha beach hahaha

[@mals4125]

The unofficial national anthem of Oz.

[@petert24turner71]

For the 70s leaves disco dead

[@donaldgosling]

Australian troops had to fight and die in Vietnam too

[@summervincent7312]

khe sanh village