Cold Chisel - Khe Sanh (1978)

Cold Chisel's promotion-video for the classic 'Khe Sahn' (May, 1978), taken from the 1978 album 'Cold Chisel'.

[@apfelprincess45]

All rise for the National Anthem!

[@albertchehade9916]

Working Class Man

[@curtist919]

It's so weird being a US vet of Afghanistan but this Aussie song about Vietnam hits so close to home

[@juju-lips323]

Curtis T Welcome home mate

[@deanodownunder5904]

because us Aussie's and Americans always fight in battle side by side mates forever. lest we forget.

[@victorwaddell6530]

Curtis T US Navy ten years vet . I've been Down Under a few times . I love Australia. Best Mates.

[@shakypam]

Curtis T I guess being sent off to random wars brings up similarities. Crikey, cannot begin to imagine, myself

[@TheMimiSard]

I guess that means the experience happens a lot to retired soldiers. At least there is a song you find speaks to your experience.

[@danielsouthwood4558]

When you pause your Spotify playlist to play the khe sahn 1978 version on KZbin. Fucking oath!

[@danielkennedy3592]

So much better than the one on Spotify Not sure what happened there

[@carlkligerman1981]

Still the best version of this anthem. Just a glorious, tragic, lyrical masterpiece. I was three years old when this was released, and it was still playing on the jukebox at the Wheeler’s Hill Hotel every Thursday night when I finished up my schooling in the nineties. Timeless….

[@kekenooutthere3095]

"legs always open, minds always closed" - great lyric!

[@AaronNoonan-ew9cv]

We used to sing this at Karaoke night downtown on a Saturday Night. Me and the boys. Had the bar to ourselves cos the barmaid run off and hid. Free drinks all night long...

[@Lowgun5]

Best version of this song! I have come the conclusion after a lifetime spent playing Rock and Roll that Jimmy Barnes is one of the finest Rock vocalists to ever pick up a microphone.

[@deelanders5088]

Hey Jimmy man you have come through so much well done I lost my da in 1971 in action Vietnam I was 5 and still hurt.

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

100% correct, no celebration when the Vietnam War ended, back in 1973. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant

[@lindsayoehm1594]

The first time I saw Cold Chisel was at the Matthew Flinders Hotel in Melbourne on a Saturday afternoon in 1976 as a sixteen years old, you could just tell then they were going to be great.

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

I love this song. I was in the United States Marine Corps 1973-1977. The 4 years I served after Vietnam, most people hated us.... I'm talking Americans. When it was time for me to get out in 1977, I'd had enough. I got out and let my hair grow down to my shoulders. Over the years, I got over it.... and now I'm proud to be an old Marine Sergeant for Life. Semper Fi

[@Osssssss666]

That was my local!! I’m a year younger than you!

[@peter61967]

It still has me fked how chisel didn’t break through in the states.

[@victorwaddell6530]

I'm a veteran of the US Navy , I've been to southeast Asia, Hong Kong , and Australia . My stepfather is a Vietnam veteran . This song speaks to me , especially the feeling of an unsettled mind looking for something unobtainable .

[@curtist919]

Victor Waddell It's so weird. I was US Air Force security forces in Bagram Afghanistan. This Aussie song hits closer to home than any of the "American Soldier" songs I heard in high school. Especially the parts about open legs, closed minds, and traveling aimlessly after you get out. True words I've never heard. PS thanks for your service brother

[@victorwaddell6530]

Great to hear from you . My stepfather was in the brown water navy in Vietnam , and I was in the surface fleet from '85 till ' 95 . Only other vets can understand . LOL !

[@victorwaddell6530]

Curtis T Thank you for your service . The Air Force doesn't get the respect it deserves . My father retired from the Air Force but he and my mother divorced before he enlisted . My mother married a sailor , a veteran of Vietnam in the Riverines , when I was five years old . He told me stories of the fleet and of his time in country . His father was a torpedo bomber pilot in the Navy in WW2 , switched over to the US Air Force when they were formed . He retired out of Shaw AFB in Sumter , South Carolina, my home state . I enlisted into the US Navy in 1985 . I wanted to be a diver of some kind , maybe a SEAL , but I failed because of a medical condition of my nasal passages. So I went into radar and navigation on warships. I was a crewman on a destroyer, an MP in Japan, then a crewman on a a cruiser. I've sailed around the world. I've seen more than I thought I'd ever experience in a normal life . The most haunting time I can remember is being begged from by lepers in Thailand , sharing grilled chicken with the stray dogs on the beach while drinking Singha Beer . Then waking up on the beach surrounded by the same stray dogs when the sun came up , and my wallet and watch were still with me . The ship's Captain and his officers met me as I awoke from the beach sand , and we said " Good Morning " to each other . I spoke with the Captain later on during that deployment and we found out that he and my stepfather had been on the same operations in Vietnam. I had the honor of visiting Australia some time later , and I found the people of Australia think highly of America and Americans . Thank You for your service.

[@IceMan-il7dx]

Well said Victor. But the old Oz I missed over 23yrs has gone. I'm living not visiting now and it's all property prices & the kids stare at mobiles. Yes, serving leaves you very uprooted & though Aussies never fought that battle the concept of being away speaks deeply in this song. On discharge can you even fly a traffic copter?!

[@zforce69]

Have you heard "redgum i was only 19" It's another great Vietnam song.

[@cheriemcleod-cv8hu]

Luva Jimmy. A wonderful kind man who was in my life for a while. Always played your music . Cold Chizel. I said J. Man who is that. It’s Barney’s Jimmy I am like who. was so funny . I. Never stopped listening to you after that. We broke up 😢 both moved on John meet the love off his life. Wish I am so happy about. J man passed away this year jan 2024 a heart of gold. He Loved you jimmy

[@turdburgler553]

One of the best bands ever Just watched goosebumps 👍

[@TheChaoslord66]

Original version, absolutely perfect

[@357HFC]

Ryan Manley Version yes! Recording tame.

[@TheChaoslord66]

Yeah I stand corrected, this is the mid 80s re record, I like this recording the best though.

[@honibear61]

Went to a Sunday market & there was this kid playing music on a electric piano. Then he starts playing this song & I kid you not every single person stopped & just stood there taking this song in. Probably doing what I was doing singing to themselves. It was awesome!!! Thats a sign of a true classic!!!!

[@TheChaoslord66]

The intro part of the song with the Piano gives me the chills every time, it's so recognizable and easy to sing along to.

[@apfelprincess45]

Because people were in the presence of a true classic. Never mind singing to yourselves, you should have all been singing out loud.

[@gamergirl5317]

yes,jimmy barnes,and cold chisel, deserve so much more respect,and they get it when this song plays

[@Consumerify]

OMG the hair Jimmy!

[@elroy8597]

this is when music was real

[@kimbohunter9538]

"BARNSEY" is an Aussie legend! ❤❤ Makes me want to grab a beer and be with my mates at a BBQ..😊

[@playmovingpictures]

This song. Almost defines an Australian. It’s the song you pass down to your kids as a heirloom their music inheritance. There passport to music life.

[@gamergirl5317]

this is how it should be sung,with respect for those that were there,and clearly

[@jcoker423]

Greatest Aussie song ever.

[@kayhartas5532]

I agree

[@stone4565]

Amongst the greatest for sure, working class man is equally awesome.

[@rowbearly6128]

Working class man was a seppo song, he bought it. Not an aussie song, but transfers pretty well.

[@kiddalingur]

Dam under rated song, quite good inn my book and rememberble for me. A 34 yer old icelandic person

[@zforce69]

Have you heard "redgum i was only 19"

[@playmovingpictures]

Rick_The_Dick mate this song is the all time Aussie song. It has its own royal 👑 music crown.

[@madmead487]

better when u know the story

[@shelbyac57]

The best version ..

[@kalmanjulianne]

I can assure you that Icelandic - Hungarian - and Australians have more in common that appreciation for great music. Birds of same feather flock together.

[@CaptainHurricane]

Cold Chisel's best song by a long way !

[@trevormwabulabrookings]

The greatest rock band that grew up in OZ land ❤

[@sandyschoenberger6980]

Cold chisel is awesome 😊

[@stevejackson8781]

He nearly became acdc lead singer after bon died. Another great scot/Australian singer.

[@loudandbrash6810]

I remember I was 6 or 7 and the talk around the table was about this song, and how the lyrics were disgusting, but I didn't understand. I'm guessing it was my earliest rebellion, but since then I LOVE Chisel and Jimmy Barnes

[@rebecajohnston1135]

Why disgusting? It's a realistic story about what so many Vietnam veterans felt, how lost and misunderstood they were, how they had trouble finding a place in the world. Yeah, the "legs were always open" was an eye opener but again, that was the feeling that the relationships they found were superficial. I grew up during the war and I understand that it's inappropriate for a child but not for a veteran.

[@anitkumarroyprodhan3438]

All time favourite of mine.

[@kalmanjulianne]

If there is a God, surely he would Bless Australia. I love Australia, its fair and true grit people, no Australian would ever leave a person behind. (comment made from a Hungarian born proud Australian)

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

There were 60,000 Australia's who fought and served in Vietnam, and 521 were killed in combat. Semper Fidelis from an old United States Marine Corps Sergeant.

[@rebecajohnston1135]

Watch the movie "Dangerous Close" a true story about the Aussies in Vietnam. Incredible heroism.

[@ariadneschild8460]

It's ANZAC day today, thank you for your kind words about my country men.

[@71everlast]

Australia 🇦🇺 is the greatest country on earth mate. 😊

[@kalmanjulianne]

Yes it is, but it is slowly being destroyed like all the other christian countries. @@71everlast

[@nedhohepa7716]

Can you not love this song from Barnes and. Mossy an the boys. Ficking mint.

[@staff180908]

Glad to see your on the mend Jimmy.

[@dakotazlatovich8004]

Classic Aussie Legend

[@TheChaoslord66]

Correction for my comment, this actually isn't the original 1978 recording, it's the mid 80s remix, but in my opinion it's the best version, Cold Chisel are awesome!

[@musiccity2471]

Amazing Aussie 70's Rock!

[@thek.i.b4658]

Yeah the boys

[@darcycleeve2517]

YTB

[@nadinesimpson9308]

Never seen this clip before for all the years I have listened to this excellent Aussie song. Is it just me or does Barnsey look like Heath Ledger may he RIP!

[@gardengnome3249]

It's the hair Nadine nothing else just the hair.

[@Yilmaz413]

The Drummers are always the most sensible people. Just saying...

[@richarddelacruz3242]

Gran tema, saludos desde ARgentina

[@kimgallagher490]

All rise ....

[@thek.i.b4658]

Listening whilst cookin a few snags on my bbq

[@cameronealey3274]

The Australian dream

[@IceMan-il7dx]

+Cameron Ealey 3 countries, 23 years but this isn't the Oz I missed. It's a different country now, bloody home renovations shows on the box, pointlessly pimpled teenagers on Da Voice....where did the Oz I dreamt about go?!

[@victorwaddell6530]

Simon Inglis Yeah Simon , I know how you feel . I grew up in "The South" in America. Born in 1966 . As a child I wandered about and spent my time wading creeks , swimming ponds , walking about the woods , and not worrying about anything. My uncles took me fishing and hunting with them . I carried a knife , a fishing rod , and sometimes a pellet rifle or a 22 . I've eaten animals and plants from the woods , home gardens , and farms . Every generation I can think of in my family has produced many military veterans. My great uncle was wounded in France in WW2 in the US Army . My father's father , grandpa , repaired planes for the Army Air Corps in England in WW2 . My mother's father , grandpa , drove supply trucks in the Korean War. My maternal grandma's brother drove tanks in the Korean War My stepfather's father flew dive bombers from aircraft carriers in the Pacific in WW2 . My father was an Air Force medic . His brother, my uncle , was an aircraft mechanic . My stepfather was an assault boat coxswain in Vietnam. My mother's brother , my uncle , joined the Marines , but didn't get sent to Vietnam. He switched to the US Army and was sent to Operation Desert Shield /Desert Storm . I was a US Navy radar operator from 1985 till 1995 . I've been to so many places , some bad , some good . The Persian Gulf , Lybia , Australia, Thailand , Korea . But I have no regrets and I wouldn't do anything different given a choice . Peace, Out .

[@IceMan-il7dx]

+Victor Waddell That's a very long list! My family was mostly air corps of some sort, having English heritage means some unmarked graves and a 'missing.' It's only I'm home now, and every day we hear about house prices then get home renovation tv shows. Nothing is real. I grew up in a similar way to you; my Dad taught me to shoot beer cans and I handled his 22 by age 10. No one worried about it and I never thought of shooting at cars etc which happens where I live now. Add if there was a pretty girl I'd crap myself but toughen up and tell her, no sexual discrimination garbage, it was a compliment! 're this song, even though our troops fought in other spots in Vietnam it has a tremendous meaning. Frankly for my gen it's a national anthem. It's great you hear it and relate to it! As for me, I'm 4yrs younger but a bit lost as what to do now. I can fly but who accepts a late 40yo who knows little about digital cockpits?! So I've joined the aero club and will see where I go. I'll say this, my boy is growing up 200kms out of Melbourne, he's playing at the rail yards with his friends and kicking a footy in our yard. He hasn't taken to screens yet and I'm hoping he'll get a job on the land. If not there's Point Cook!

[@victorwaddell6530]

Simon Inglis I'm glad to hear your son is an active lad , not a screen zombie . Your football is a great sport , I watched some when I was down there , even attended a live match in Esperance. Aussie footy fans told me that they'd seen some of our gridiron on the telly , but they didn't know the rules . The couldn't understand why they stopped playing so often . I tried to explain that the team with the ball had four tries to advance ten yards or more , if they didn't the other team got their four tries . But it's a lot more complicated than that . I'd like to sit down with some Aussies and explain it to them while a good game of American football was on TV . Our last couple of Super Bowl games were dodgy , but the last two seasons college championship games were outstanding , real nail biters . Alabama narrowly beat Clemson two seasons ago , then Clemson came back the next time and held 'Bama off for the win . You can find both games here on You Tube . Clemson is my home area team , and I have a niece who was a student there at the time . There is a thing here in the states called tailgate parties . Fans set up barbies , coolers and whatnot in the stadium parking lot and put out food and drink before , during, and even after the game , with TVs showing the action on the field . If you're ever here during football season you need to attend one . Good luck with the aviation career . I did the radars on ships during my navy time . I asked about becoming an ATC after I separated. Was told that I should have switched to FAA before my separation, but they couldn't hire me after . Several years ago I saw an advert from the RAN that they were hiring , as civilian contractors , ex US Navy sailors with experience with the AEGIS radar system , which I have . But the time limit from separation was too long . Bummer . Apparently you and I both are a little too along in years in their opinion . On the bright side , neither Australia nor America are having the same degree of troubles with angry immigrants as the UK and Western Europe. Here in the states most of our malcontent activists are home grown . I think they need to spend some time abroad in the less advanced parts of the world to set their minds straight. Well , So Long for now . Keep plugging .

[@357HFC]

Promo Video, says it all. CHISEL live would be really belting this out. Harder, faster, louder. FKN Great song!

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

And their legs were often open But their minds were always closed And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains Straya in the 80s

[@JBofBrisbane]

'Straya in the seventies.

[@Brandon-vp9ef]

Happy Straya day lads 🤘

[@shakypam]

and laydees

[@ColonelBummleigh]

Hits the spots. Thumbs up and thanks for the upload

[@isaacgolik5620]

Love this song!

[@OzzysRadioHalfHour]

Timeless

[@lexyonyou]

love you Jimmy ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jameseden2286]

Very overplayed in Australia. Been hearing this in the country since my visit in 1992. Great song but surely there is more???

[@briankennedy1192]

About 60 more. This off their first album. Third album East classic as are the other 4.

[@terrythe]

It is a great song sung very well.

[@regmccormack3157]

Love the true ocker rockers just love em

[@denisbellars9260]

Fucking love this !!

[@MrTconquest]

Great mix, thanks

[@monogramadikt5971]

"but im drifting off to check things out again" indeed

[@markcarboon7008]

One of their most popular and famous songs and less than 75,000 shares. What gives?

[@shakypam]

prolly one of many posts, so views split, eh

[@thomasgray1006]

khe sahn first hit the top 40 charts in 2011, thats no typo, it never charted in the 80s or 90s, also another fun fact, the bottle of whiskey on the piano was supposed to be a prop but Jimmy Barnes kept drinking it noticing every time they would keep replacing it, they were completely hammered by the end of the end of filming. You can also notice the level the bottle is filled keeps changing throughout the clip.

[@thomasgray1006]

didnt chart in the 70s either

[@ausrabb]

you are wrong it charted in position 41 in 1978 , two weeks later it was censoredKhe Sanh" is one of the most popular songs ever recorded by an Australian act and one generally seen as a resonant symbol of the Australian culture. Allmusic describes it as, "a song that will forever epitomize this period of Australian music."[5] The record reached number four in the band's home town of Adelaide but peaked on the national sales charts at a modest number 41.[6] This was partly a result of actions taken in August 1978, when censors gave it an A Classification, meaning that it was "not suitable for airplay". The classification was ostensibly due to sex and drug references, such as the lines: "their legs were often open, but their minds were always closed".[7] Walker said, "That was the reason they told us, which wasn't necessarily the real one."[4] Barnes later commented "Every DJ in the country begged us to release "Khe Sanh" as a single. Then they banned it two weeks later. They had to ban something once a week to keep the Catholic Church happy."[8] At the start of the Live at the Wireless album, Barnes thanks Double Jay for being the only station that played the song.[9]In 2001, members of APRA, the Australasian music industry's peak body, put "Khe Sanh" at number eight in a poll of the all-time best Australian songs.[10] It still receives strong airplay on Australian radio stations with a "classic rock" format.[11]In August 2011, "Khe Sanh" re-entered the ARIA Singles Chart at #40, beating their previous peak position by one spot.[12]In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest" 100, the 'most Australian' songs of all time, Khe Sanh was ranked number 1, ahead of Men at Work's "Down Under" and Jimmy Barnes's "Working Class Man".[13]

[@Jonjones30003]

@@ausrabbu tell em bro, it’s a mint song I listen to it all the time here 🇨🇦

[@c.bfilmstuff6558]

Us Assies are good at writing and performing songs eh

[@ajrfinance7767]

except Barnsey is Scottish! ;)

[@yowie7169]

AJR Finance he came to aus at age 5 and has Australian citizenship sooo...

[@shakypam]

ha ha yep we are, but this is not the best example of that - pack o dirty refugees wrote and performed this! (ahem you know what I mean?)

[@yowie7169]

Alan Thomson you can get citizenship in scotland without being born there, an example would be living there for a certain amount of years. And no, not anyone can be an aussie, you have to meet certain criteria just like scotland.

[@yowie7169]

Alan Thomson To be recognized as Aboriginal you need only be accepted by your local Aboriginal land council, blood has little to do with it, i know this because i'm Aboriginal by blood but not recognized by the land council where i live because my family is not a part of any of the tribes around here. Of course not being recognized does not stop you from personally identifying as one. Okay i'll accept what you're saying about having to be born there, this is still pointless to argue over unless you are excluding him as being aussie, if not let's just end this here, being aussie doesn't mean you abandon your heritage.

[@frederickmiles327]

Great, maybe the ultimate 20th Century Aus song. And for me, last train out of Sydney was for me a South Islander with huge trans tasman connections, this might be a fairly crucial test. In Chrsitchurch I often heard the elevators deliver this song at 2am with the 4 piece power and massive speakers equal to Cold Chisel and after 3 jugs and half a dozen old dark, nothing ever sounded ,this , LA women and # Doors Down by the killers were the greates

[@c.bfilmstuff6558]

Frederick Miles it's actually plane but I thought it was train for the first hundred times I listened

[@357HFC]

Pretty tame really, by Chisel Standards. Love CHISEL!!!!

[@funtimefreddie9637]

Dale McCamish Get the fuck out of here, tame. This is regarded as their greatest song. Fuck off out of here before I teach you respect.

[@357HFC]

Great song, not denying that. Not the best I have seen or heard them belt out. You teach ME respect, cough!

[@funtimefreddie9637]

Dale McCamish With a name like Dale it's no wonder you have no idea. Can't expect much with that name.

[@funtimefreddie9637]

Dale McCamish Well?

[@funtimefreddie9637]

Dale McCamish No. Do you want me to read it cos you're dyslexic?

[@jackalsthelast3941]

Love the song, because it reminds us to the era of wealthiest nation named "Republic of Vietnam" back in 1955-1975

[@sarahbuckley8854]

Jackals The Last M8 south Vietnam had a corrupt government and the Diem Regime was brutal to the farmers and was the main reason the VietCong began expanding and wealthy? It’s an absolute shithole that’s what your country was if the U.S hadn’t intervened and you where lucky the North came in Ho Chi Minh was a lot nicer than your leaders

[@TheTvGuru3]

How come we never hear this version on CD? or am I not looking properly?

[@victorwaddell6530]

They are too young to be VN veterans , but I think they got the feeling right. I'm a veteran of the cold war / new war , whatever that means .

[@Dev.85]

Victor Waddell They aren't vets but the lyrics are inspired by real veterans. Much like I wad only 19 by Redgum. Recommend you list to that song as well, the lyrics tell the story of someone the singer knew.

[@gary1477]

@@Dev.85 Don Walker has said that the song was inspired by a neighbour in Grafton who returned from the Vietnam War and was never the same.

[@satanyluciferpodersupremo6721]

Qué tema la puta madre!!!! Alucinante!!!!

[@jacobdobson9629]

phat as song

[@frederickmiles327]

Yes the Christchurch Elevators had certainly played in Australia and they played like a real Australian venue and that upstairs warehouse was probably the nearest thing to a hard Australian bar in Australia, with the often remarked authentic violence of the bouncers, who threw plenty donwn the stairs, including yours, truly. on the tracks of the Doors, Killers, Lynard Skynbard, Allman Brothers they were the only covers band that really sounded authentic in 2005-2009. While the song really reflects the corruption, drugs and whores of the cross, it somehow is heard in a universal sense. Great writing although generally I think the Models and Dragon are most consistently hard rock and roll , AC DC are too cardboard comic and the Dyvinyls lack power.

[@BenjaminBarnes]

The sound to this video uses the mid-80s remix.. not the original 1978 version. Video is the original tho

[@goknights]

Wish I could find a copy of the 80's remix in good quality!

[@MrAnperm]

I went to the location of the battle of Khe San as a tourist. Now when I hear this song I can only think of that spot where the Yanks got hammered.

[@tabrizahaarn1775]

i went too but the US did not get hammered at Khe Sahn the 77 day siege during the Tet offensive was predicted to be a US Dien Bien Phu but the US held the high ground and the airlift in kept the base supplied. For every round in the US and local (think Thai forces) fired 3 out. They dropped more bombs in 77 days around Khe Sahn than the whole of Germany in 1943 B52s cells were bombing every few hours and people underestimated the difference between the jet and propellor age capabilities and lack of French air support capability compared with the US. Tet was a disaster for the North but swayed opinion to start 'Vietnamisation'.

[@jamesspokesman653]

Is this not one of the best songs ever written?

[@Sssthpok]

no one on stage appears to be playing harp ! So where is the harp player ?

[@OMPOtromundoesposible]

explosive

[@ArthurYuill]

Happy Australia Day boiiiis

[@sarahbuckley8854]

Hitlers Main man nein

[@redundantideas]

Probably the most anti-Australian and Sinophilic song that Australians absolutely love. Go figure.

[@juju-lips323]

Nah mate, it's not anti-australian. If anything its the best Australian song ever.

[@redundantideas]

@@juju-lips323 Oh really? Those long forgotten dockside guarantees where Australia failed to acknowledge the Vets, our legs were often open, minds always closed, and hearts held in chains. He clearly doesn't cope with Australian life, and most importantly, drifts north and prefers Hong Kong. It's hardly a ringing endorsement of Australia. I find it really ironic that it complements China and is critical of Australia, and yet we love the song.

[@juju-lips323]

@@redundantideas Maybe you should move up there too if you feel that way.

[@redundantideas]

@@juju-lips323 So if I listen to the lyrics I need to leave the country? I love the song, but perhaps you could take up your concerns with Don Walker (it's about 40 years too late.)

[@chloechloe6233]

You’re right. The song still resonates with me as an Aussie classic though 🇦🇺

[@josephwilliams1905]

Pity you turned LEFT in recent years Barnesy, along with Farnham. SAD!

[@hoonaignachowaneha]

Wtf? This isn't Land Down Under... what garbage.