Cold Chisel - Khe Sanh - Requested reaction

[@WMH-MUSIC]

Thank you so much for reacting to this song Excellent insights and information on PTSD Always fascinating listening to you and your experiences Thank you so much again 🙏🏻 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Best regards Nigel WMH Team - Australia 🇦🇺

[@paulschmehl2124]

Thank you Nigel.

[@WMH-MUSIC]

@@paulschmehl2124 🫡

[@paulschmehl2124]

I noticed, when editing my videos recognizing ANZAC Day, that I never once mentioned the Kiwis. I never meant to slight their sacrifices, and I want to recognize them now. They stood shoulder to shoulder with the diggers and fought bravely.

[@speedypete5445]

What does anzacs mean .think about it. And keep silent

[@brendendavis7251]

Fun fact - put Aussies v Kiwi's in any sporting contest and we're mortal enemies. Put us in a war and we're brother's in arms. Back to back, shoulder to shoulder.

[@NikkieMaguire]

We will remember them. Lest we forget. Thankyou for the reaction on ANZAC day. 🇦🇺

[@beebee1676]

Jimmy Barnes is easier to understand in the recorded version, especially when you dont speak Australian 😄👍 even then you might need the lyrics

[@lynjenkins6473]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/moXNp3pqjK93laM

[@KBB-nf1dr]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH-kZXiCmdCMedEsi=s5Z_94elaXZ3aVkI

[@jacquimott386]

This song was released in 1978, just 5 years after the end of the war. I think we Aussies started recognizing and empathizing with Vietnam war veterans early compared to most countries. I believe this song actually helped raise the awareness to their problems.

[@recurringdreambusproject]

The message from V2 is around how the vets were treated when they came back to Australia, same for all of the returning service men of most countries after the Vietnam war, they were shunned by the public in general, they found it impossible to hold down regular jobs and many were hooked on drugs that they had used just to survive during the war and were denied treatment and counselling for ptsd, there is also a reference to the refugees who were bought to Aussie many of who faced incredible racism and abuse with many females being forced into prostitution and arranged marriages, I guess some of this is Aussie slang but it had a powerful message to the very people who generated the anger towards the vets most of who were conscripted and had no choice but to go, listen to the original single, it is slowed down and the lyrics are much clearer, this song was an anthem for a generation in Australia & New Zealand and is still popular.

[@BeardedChieftain]

Actually, National Servicemen had a choice and were never "forced" to go to Vietnam. It is a myth perpetuated by many with a chip on their shoulder. The prostitution mentioned was a reference to the Hong Kong scene.

[@beebee1676]

That's great advice about the truck for PTSD, and for stressors/anxieties in life for anyone generally.

[@Eskay1206]

Thank you for this, your insight is so valued. Ive heard this song all my life but you put in a different perspective. thank you for your service

[@carolcarol3938]

Hi there, thank you for playing this song and for your interesting thoughts and knowledge on the situation. Being an Aussie and being of an age where this band Cold Chisel were part of my musical history, I know (like many others) all the words of this song. The Aussie accent combined with Jimmy Barnes strong, unique voice can make it hard to understand...... but reading the lyrics is important for people to understand the story he tells of someone being returned home to a fractured nation.... lacking support systems and an understanding community...feeling lost. Cold Chisel are a very well-known band throughout Australia and many of their songs are like anthems. My father went to the middle East- Egypt, and other areas during the 2nd Word War, serving in the Australian Army. He never spoke much about that time, and I regret not asking him more about it.

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

She was Lined, as in she was in the lines of protestors waiting on the docks for the troops to return. He most certainly wasn't going to wade through that crowd just to get to her, and either way he knew she wouldn't receive him kindly. The foolish protestors caused myriad problems and grief for those who served in Vietnam for many years afterward. After so many years on to today their behaviour is recognised as disgraceful and many more words i wont repeat here. Since then us aussies have doubled down on our respect to the soldiers who have served, especially to the Vietnam Vets. Shunning those that are disrespectful. All current and past Vet's are recognised and have earned their respect and place amongst the ANZAC's.

[@paulschmehl2124]

Thank you for that. I had no idea what that meant. Now it makes perfect sense.

[@bonoff3369]

She was lined means she was on drugs. Lined out.

[@TR-go4oz]

⁠​⁠@@bonoff3369lined to the reference of this song is meaning she was at the docks lined waiting

[@farqsideways5679]

"She was lined" mean she was now married.

[@cooldewd35]

The protesters dissipated pretty quickly as soon as the war ended, but the far right RSL (especially in NSW) wouldn't allow the returned Vietnam vets to become members for years afterwards. Disgraceful.

[@tvbenglishsongtranslations]

The lyric where he said he ‘saw and old friend but couldn’t kiss because she was lined’ is about the fact that when he returned home from the war, he saw and old friend. He wanted to kiss her but he couldn’t because she was ‘lined’ up to protest against the soldiers… The rest of that verse is having a dig at the anti war hippies. In that their legs were open, ie flower power, but their minds were closed because they were blinded by the media. They weren’t there so how could they know about the war?

[@davejensen7922]

It’s Anzac Day today good choice Lest we forget

[@MrToryhere]

The word “fast” in the phrase “fast suburban chains” means tight. Sydney airport has always had a 11pm curfew, because it is so close to the centre of the city and the flight paths go over heavily populated areas. So when the song talks about the last flight out of Sydney it’s talking about the last flight of the day, not the last flight ever. I’ve always wondered why Jimmy Barnes pronounced “last” wrong. I think it was because he is actually from the the North of the UK.

[@BeardedChieftain]

Actually, yes, but no. The full line is "And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains". In this context, a "fast chain" is a tight chain. Hence we say "held fast" or "hold fast".

[@patrickchallis5063]

The legal pads were yellow as there are today’s lawyers use, so he was trying to get compensation through the legal system or he was constantly in trouble with the law. Pay packets lean, he is having trouble holding down a job due to ptsd. Her legs were often open but their minds were often closed, their wives were trying to be with them but the never could understand what vets went through. She was lined, was in or amongst protesters so the could not even get to kiss her on return. There were no VDay heroes in 1973. Because of protesters soldiers were not welcome, but protesters should have protest politicians but thank soldiers for doing what protesters would/could not.

[@leilanibarber608]

The Sappers are Army Engineer's, Khe Sahn further most north airfield base Vietnam, American Base. Her pockets lined means she had money, he came home and blew his life for a while. Australian soldiers were involved in Long Tan. This song is about trying to adjust and deal with life after war.

[@skullandcrossbones65]

G'day, This song has so much to explain, I doubt many Aussies would truly anderstand all that this song is about. However, we do understand the message.

[@jennklein1917]

😂😂 Jimmy did have a wee drinking problem, till the wifey straightened him up with four kids!🤗

[@lynndally9160]

We will remember them 🇦🇺🌺

[@DavidPola1961]

1973 the year Cold Chisel formed with 17yr old Jimmy Barnes as frontman along with Guitarist and vocalist Ian Moss

[@KBB-nf1dr]

This song wasn’t released until 1978

[@DavidPola1961]

@@KBB-nf1dr That is correct the statement was not related

[@jennyhenry387]

I understand why you didn't understand a word he sang. I did almost as badly, and I've known the song since it was first released. Another commenter suggested you look at the official video, with lyrics. Sounds like a great idea. I think you'll find it helpful.

[@paulschmehl2124]

I did and it was.

[@shanejbackx]

​@@paulschmehl2124the original recorded 1979 studio version is by far the best

[@crazymary1144]

Thank you for your prayer at the end of each video. I always watch it and feel so blessed.

[@vergadain]

Very honest reaction. I appreciate the insights which came with the reaction and reverance to the wartime experience. For what it’s worth, I couldn’t understand Jimmy either and am familiar with the song, singer and lyrics. Ironically,I don’t think any Australian units were based at Khe Sanh. Kiwis may have. God Bless and lest we forget.

[@BadSeeder666]

Thank you for your prayers Sir. God bless you.

[@gruntabro1]

Jimmy was drunk on vodka whilst singing that 🎉

[@pseudonym21]

If you'd like to have another look at this song, and I do think it's worth it, you could try watching instead "Cold Chisel - Khe Sanh [Official Lyric Video]" from the Official Cold Chisel channel which is not only a studio version instead of live (which makes it much easier to discern the lyrics) but it also has the lyrics on the screen so you can follow along. Thanks for your video this Anzac Day

[@Aaron_Hanson]

100% I’m not sure I’m a fan of this version of such an iconic song 😔 As a non Aussie listening to this for perhaps the first time, it’s very difficult to appreciate the meaning. Btw, I’m an Aussie who was raised listening to Cold Chisel. I’m only mentioning this as a possible “outsider” point of view 😂

[@paulschmehl2124]

I will definitely check that out.

[@marieantoinette1360]

Yeah if you didn't know the lyrics you deffo struggle

[@pascalswager9100]

Amen Brother! ❤ from 🇦🇺

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

Lest We Forget!

[@shmick6079]

All-time classic tune. I would recommend the lyric video for first-timers 😂

[@trumpsta4759]

To be honest that wasn't Jimmy's best performance. I would suggest the lyrics video as others have suggested. Jimmy is still performing and making new music after his recent heart surgery.

[@paulschmehl2124]

I watched it. He sounded completely different. And the lyrics helped a lot.

[@jamesgudgeon4868]

Silver City Was A nick name for Broken Hill New South Wales Australia 🇦🇺 17:45

[@paulschmehl2124]

Thank you for that.

[@TR-go4oz]

Silver city was a military operation in Vietnam

[@kevharper1378]

It's a strange song here in Australia, our zone of operations were nowhere near Khe San and our guys didn't take part in the battles at Khe San. It's about a psyched out VietNam Veteran who works in dangerous jobs so he can get the cash to go back to various SE Asian places where he can get cheap prostitutes and booze / drugs in order to ease his PTSD, but it doesn't work. The Aussie crowd loves it even though they don't know what it means, it has become a theme song for some strange reason. He's on a midnight flight to Hong Kong to bed some Jaded Chinese Princess and hopefully soothe his dreams. The ocean to the Silver City is a refrence to working in the mines at Broken Hill NSW which is a long way from the ocean. It's a song about trauma which few people get the meaning of, to the point where I once taught a student named KheSan, she was a stressed out kid and sadly I never got the story of her naming from her.

[@kevharper1378]

Those lyrics on screen were so badly in chinglish, Not a good translation from Australian to chinese back to english.

[@jasonjohinke5651]

My friends father introduced Jimmy to the band all those years ago

[@jemxs]

Basically talking about the issues vets had assimilating back into life post Vietnam. Dugs, empty sex, endlessly doing various jobs of opportunity and going back to South East Asia looking for answers and getting none.

[@Dr_KAP]

Dugs? 😜 (be nice Kappy be nice.. breathe 🧘‍♀️)

[@jemxs]

@@Dr_KAPyes speed and novacaine would be classified as drugs or have I been doing them wrong?😜

[@jemxs]

@@Dr_KAP ok attempt 3 lol Ok now I see I left the r out of dugs!! Oops did it again!!🤣 Also auto correct just corrected it, so I had to uncorrect it lol, but late last night autocorrect let me down, lucky we have Kappy 👍

[@paulfernandez3747]

Min 9 you talked about the rpg hit, for those who don't know, a 50 cal sternum shot will also disintegrate the upper body and the legs drop after 3 or 4 more steps, miss within a foot and it WILL take a limb, serving is NOT for all. Lest we forget

[@jacquimott386]

I also think this song isn’t as focused on PTSD, as the broader issues of trying to fit back into normal life.

[@BeardedChieftain]

Even though the song was called "Khe Sanh", it was changed from "Long Tan" in an effort to get around Australian Censorship. Whilst the RAAF did fly Close Air Support missions for Khe Sanh, that battle was a U.S. ground battle. "Sappers" refers to the "Royal Australian Engineers" who's base rank is "Sapper" rather than Private. Conversely the workers in the Long Tan rubber plantation who tapped the trees for sap and where in 18th Aug 1966, Delta Coy, 6RAR (just over a hundred men) contacted a superior NVA force and inflicted a greater amount of damage to at least one NVA Bn than a rifle coy was expected to be able to achieve.

[@cooldewd35]

"Silver City" is Aussie slang for Quonset Huts. "She was lined" refers to the girl that he recognises is in a throng of anti war protesters. Hence why he could not approach her while he was in uniform. "Lucky land" refers to Australia...ie: The Lucky Country (cf Donald Horne) "Pay packets lean" - he was in low paying menial jobs.

[@jennklein1917]

😢 He sings of the Vietnamese girls who "facilitated" the Americans and Aussies serving in Vietnam. Their legs were always open, but their minds were always closed!

[@gaebren9021]

That was his friend whom he come home to and was "lined" and their hearts were held in vast suburban chains. I grew up in these vast suburban chains in Australia and yes, these girls legs were always open but their minds were always closed.

[@jennklein1917]

😂😂 I'm Australian, and still finding this version of Jimmy's hard to understand! Look up the lyrics ❤

[@paulschmehl2124]

He has a far better version on YT. A commenter said he was high when he did this one. I can believe it.

[@paulwood5803]

One of the great Anti-War songs, that highlights the real sacrifices of our Vets of whatever country.

[@abbeyshell23]

An Australian Anthem❤

[@patrickchallis5063]

I was only 19 by Red Gum, the PTSD intro version would be the best. Take care!

[@paulschmehl2124]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/forRqnWMhqqih7c

[@jamesgudgeon4868]

Lest We Forget 13:50

[@georgeibrahim7945]

Love the reaction but you should. Check out the offical lyric video. Can you please check out Cold Chisel “when the war is over” live Ringside 2003 another powerful song and performance

[@paulschmehl2124]

I watched the official video last night. It was like a completely different person singing, and I understood a great deal of the words. I don't know why the requester chose the version that I reacted to.

[@chrisbirt1667]

Sympathies to you for not easily understanding the Australian accent this song is difficult to comprehend if you don’t speak Aussie but for those of us 🇦🇺who can this a legendary song by a musically skilled artist Australians hold Jimmy Barnes with god like respect.🇦🇺

[@paulrichardson5892]

lined means she was lined up with another guy. sappers are oz engineer soldiers. there is a lotm of aussie slang words there i understand but you may miss.

[@step1drag1dwnunda]

A sapper is an australian term for an army engineer, in this song it means the american army engineers at khe sanh, your reference to the NVA sappers is incorrect in this instance, though of course the enemy sappers were there as well.

[@CliveWebbAustralia]

Mate, you probably need to be Australian and from that time, to fully understand the song. It's uniquely Australian and very eloquently describes the situation from an Australian serviceman's point of view, in that time. It's an absolute anthem for anyone who grew up in Australian in the 1970s and on...

[@marieantoinette1360]

Lest we forget

[@fayelin8896]

Sad thing was these young boys were conscripted at 19! Yes, these Aussie boys did have jungle training here in our jungles. However, war is not a thing anyone is prepared for. So sad these young men were so badly damaged many were destroyed for life! I heard the USA soldiers were brought to Australia for jungle training sometimes. from Oz

[@dingdongdangism]

this is actually best we forget, not lest we forget. have a listen :). sappers - for australians - were the australian soldiers who planted and unwired mines. you need to understand aus english to understand this song, and you clearly don't. maybe stay with what you know.

[@letitiabeausoleil4025]

We Aussies pride ourselves on our slang. I'm not exaggerating that the northern beaches Sydney dialect of the 1980's is barely intelligable to native Sydney siders nowadays.

[@bigs1546]

Jimmy Barnes is a Scottish born Aussie so he has a mixed up accent - add that to the style of rock he sings and if you don't speak "Aussie" it can be hard to understand.

[@michaelflanagan6583]

As an Aussie, I've always been perplexed by this song. It is largely revered in this country as something of an anthem for our Vietnam vets. BUT, even though Australian troops were in Vietnam at the time, they had absolutely no connection to Khe San. As an historian who has studied the Vietnam War, it feels a little strange that this song has come to represent our part in that conflict. A song about Long Tan would seem more appropriate. Have you done 'I Was Only Nineteen' by Redgum? Much more relevant.

[@paulschmehl2124]

I thought the same thing. Khe Sanh was a US Marine base. kzbin.info/www/bejne/apeYaaVonLxpmKc kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJXHZat7m5KmsMk

[@TR-go4oz]

The title of the song is phonetic purposes only. The song was written by don through the eyes of a viet vets experience of the greater war!

[@michaelflanagan6583]

@@TR-go4oz 'Phonetic? That makes no sense. Do you mean allegorical? I understand what I think you are saying, but Long Tan would've scanned just as well in the song and it's actually, possibly, our finest 'Vietnam' moment. Not hard.

[@TR-go4oz]

@@michaelflanagan6583 Does accuracy really matter in music? Does cold chisels song, when the war is over perplex you also? It’s not written about war, but some ppl interpret it that way! You could pick the eyes out of a lot of songs with inaccuracies The song was written by Don when he was in uni in 1978, he even says that he was unaware when he wrote it, that Australia had next to zero involvement there. I’ve also seen multiple interviews where he explains title and meaning to the words. The battle of Khe Sanh was more prominent News at that time! At the end of the day, it’s a well constructed song with a lot of hooks, along with that exquisite harp solo, makes it revered.

[@kypo2674]

@@paulschmehl2124 Aussies were part of the bomber crews during the attack.

[@terencebowlen1450]

You listened to the live version, dont misunderstand, it wasnt bad, and was done for a good cause, but its not the same impact as the studio version they released, and played over the radio at the time

[@paulschmehl2124]

I've been told that several times.

[@Bazza1025b]

Here is a video of the songwriter and keyboardist of Cold Chisel, Don Walker recounting the origins and meaning of the song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXqQeWSwdrGthbssi=w5ZnsT2jPaLi3-s2

[@fayelin8896]

The Mei Lai massacre was a product of young men doing what they felt ...they were given bad info and were products of the horror. Can we blame them? Don't have an answer, we didn't stand in their shoes!!! from Oz

[@meganlawson4575]

I went to My Lai. It was horrific and unnecessary. The atrocities committed on women and children were unforgivable. It didn't take them long to realise there were no soldiers there, but that didn't stop them.

[@nevillewelsh6393]

You should also react to their song called when the war was over. There is a live version which is one of the best versions of the song

[@paulschmehl2124]

You can view existing reaction requests here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Czfa1JK_NeFDmcHxEGZPV7HcGSPESjRb8BP1kCcrdRA/edit?usp=sharing If you don't see it there, please submit your reaction request here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4zzbTDjnAVHwNXUYZV6bUpT_1NDGJUufEEJhns4-DYA7q5g/viewform

[@nevillewelsh6393]

@@paulschmehl2124 thank you for the info 👍

[@nevillewelsh6393]

@@paulschmehl2124 submitted but I called the Album Animal Circus when it’s Circus Animals My mistake

[@leelee2350]

Is it just me or does this sound really sped up?

[@matallens3006]

Hey buddy have a listen to stone cold by jimmy barnes and joe Bonamassa really great im sure you will like it mate just a different bluesy style of jimmys. He could sing a tax rules book and it would sound great.👍🙂

[@paulschmehl2124]

You can view existing reaction requests here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Czfa1JK_NeFDmcHxEGZPV7HcGSPESjRb8BP1kCcrdRA/edit?usp=sharing If you don't see it there, please submit your reaction request here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4zzbTDjnAVHwNXUYZV6bUpT_1NDGJUufEEJhns4-DYA7q5g/viewform

[@benwhicker7215]

Jimi is on way too much coke there

[@scottyarthuraustralia7567]

There is a lot better versions.

[@Robroy1985]

ANZAC AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORPS............

[@georgielancaster1356]

As an Ozzie, I can honestly say I never knew more than 10 words in this song. Lol. This is NOT a good version. Sounds like 1 or more of the band realised they needed that wee much sooner than they estimated. It is speeded up and frankly, disappointing. I may have actually caught a few extra words, but it is no, "I was only 19."

[@iggyodwyer1]

You may be possibly the laziest youtuuber on the platform. Bravo

[@bennybottleface8804]

Those lyrics aren't right

[@paulschmehl2124]

They never are, but they're better than nothing.