Ronnie Burns - Smiley (1969)

Music from Australia and New Zealand in the year 1969:
Ronnie Burns performing the hit single 'Smiley' (March, 1969) on the ABC-TV program Hit Scene - broadcasted in December, 1969.
Note: Hit Scene, was an Australian popular music television series produced and broadcast by ABC TV in black and white transmission. The thirty-minute weekly series debuted on 10 May 1969 and was broadcast until 16 December 1972 and was hosted
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This video is not owned by this channel, and is only featured on this channel for historical, educational and entertainment purposes.
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[@darneyoung537]

I was 21 years when he sang that song always loved it , it reminds me of a very good friend I lost to that useless war R.I.P. Kev 🇦🇺🙏🏻🇦🇺

[@mariealexander9545]

l know how you feel l lost friends as well in that useless war watching coffins coming off the planes was heart breaking there were so many casualties in a war that could not be won

[@gypsyl]

At one time my favourite song. Best days ever, the best era to have grown up.

[@roybeckerman7843]

I had the opportunity to back him in the early 1970s, in one of his shows and found him to be one of the nicest people I ever met, along with Johnny Farnham, as he was called back then. Not just extremely talented performers , but a real credit to show business.. Real proud Aussies..

[@romemancer7905]

I met Ronnie after work one night 35 years ago a really nice guy...and he treated me like i was the important one in the room...a real gentleman ...One of OZ Shining Stars !

[@judygraham8477]

I remember watching this in 1969 ,an i still love it❤ from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺 ❤

[@stephenc-s7642]

I was 18 and eligible for the draft when this song was riding high in the Aussie charts in 1970. My older brother had doged the draft by taking an apprenticeship in a draft exempted profession, but I had no such option. I felt this song right down into the depths of my heart - I didn't want to go to the war in Vietnam. I was lucky - my birthday wasn't drawn. It's still a fabulous song that reaches right out to me.

[@carolinegodden4364]

Thanks for sharing, wow that generation, HATS OFF TO THEM. What an awful time it must have been for so many I arrived,this time around, 1961 , so a kid

[@harrisfrankou2368]

three years young the Girls at school would cry in worry a school would die for a fake War

[@gazzathomas1423]

so you got lucky and did not have to serve whats the tear jerking crap

[@malloonkai]

@@gazzathomas1423 You just wouldn't know...

[@williamgraham2708]

I was lucky too, one little ball either side of my birthday (1970 too) theww!

[@BrentonSandercock]

I was 11yrs old when I first heard this fantastic song on the radio ❤ so many good memories...I used to sing along to it ❤

[@antidepressant11]

This song played every day on the long school bus trips in 1970. I never knew the meaning of the lyrics then. A classic really.

[@stevewiles7132]

Such a great era for Aussie music. He signed the album for me..

[@rippi37]

Cool ! xxx

[@rogergomez1]

i remember this song from happening 70/71 a wonderful time to be alive

[@elainenorris3950]

I loved this song I was a young girl my mother died that year. My life changed so much.

[@fjbutchbragg8129]

So so sad to hear Elaine... I could feel that in that song :(

[@MuSiC_CaGe]

This song reminds me of my mum whom I just lost so I can feel your pain. Sorry for your loss 😢

[@MrTyroneweaver]

I was living in australia when this song came out. Went home to the states and had to report for my induction physical and was drafted 55 years ago

[@russellcampbell9198]

Perhaps the best lament for the individual consequences of war ever written and so brilliantly performed.

[@deborahcurtis1385]

written by Johnny Young. That's the surprising thing. I never like him in Young Talent Time, way too schmoozy and self-satisfied with that bloody smirk. But this is undeniably a good song with understatement and gravitas.

[@motoxbuddy]

@@deborahcurtis1385 lots of hits written by Johnny back then

[@deannaivetic7935]

I was born in July 1969 and very very early childhood like other people growing up during the Vietnam war born in Australia as well and coming from European background

[@trevorwinkworth1208]

i was 7 years old when this was sung i remember it like yesterday. wasnt life so good back then in australia ?

[@peterfreeman1585]

Not if you were called up in a ballot to do two years service with the possibility of being sent to Vietnam.

[@BlossomFlowerGirl]

I’m a lovelorn teenager again! I was a Ronnie Burns girl, the other singers were good, but Ronnie was my favourite. I remember this song like it was yesterday. Even as a naive teenager who had a sheltered life, I even then could detect a sadness to the song. It was my favourite. Thank you Ronnie Burns for the songs, the shows and the voice.

[@sharonryan2815]

Love this song and Ronnie's performance. I was 9 when this came out and it was the first record I ever had of my own, after asking my parents to buy it for me.

[@funkucrazi]

Hey Sharon... I was also 9 when this song came out.. It was the First Single I ever purchased with pocket money and it has lost none of the emotion and memories from that time... Reminiscing often brings me here as the songs of the late 60's and early 70's bring to mind Great times... and memories . Music that shaped our Lives.. I also Love ' Age of Consent ' by Ronnie Burns. Today's music has Nothing on these timeless Classics. :)

[@sharonryan2815]

@@funkucraziAgreed! It was the last great songwriting era. So glad it was part of my childhood and adolescence.

[@vincentfalsaperla]

I was born in 1960 also

[@andrewmarks8921]

Sharon, same for me - I was 9 and this was my first single. I think it was a Christmas present in 1969!

[@Paisly17]

Exactly the same as me Sharon 😀

[@keithminchin1817]

Heard this song on the radio this morning being Anzac Day 2022. My mum and dad served in WW2. I was pretty young during the Vietnam War but I remember a few guys a bit older than me being conscripted. I remember seeing protests in Melbourne and then young men coming back after the war, some with some pretty horrific stories. I pay my respect to anyone that serves their country, unfortunately some paid the ultimate price. Now we have many great Australians of Vietnamse descent and Aussies have enjoyed travel to Vietnam some married with families etc. With all the talk of war in the world again I wonder if the human race can ever learn from history.

[@michaelhayden725]

Normie Rowe, for whom the song was written, became very active within the veterans movement. He had to resurrect his career after two years in service. But I like to think it made him a better person, better man. Thanks

[@kimtamm9954]

Such a nice guy. Saw him few years ago with Daryl Cotton and Russell Morris. What a great show. So down to earth not like some other international entertainers who don't have time for their fans 😄😄

[@carolinegodden4364]

Right! This crew of GOLDEN GODDIES, GREATNESS. Russell is absolutely amazing, live, my bestie girlfriend TJA & I, CJ, well we have 💃 💃 the whole way through, wherever , we've seen him live, over the years. Yep, ALL ABSOLUTELY AMAZING I can't recall catching Ronnie or Darryl on the pub scene, hmmm Aren't there some gigs early in the NEW YEAR? I saw something err, I forgot. CJ x Melbourne Victoria Australia 🇦🇺 Southern ➕ SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Trippy supported Russel and played Footy against Cotton.

[@meggarippleeffect8098]

a timeless Australian classic

[@sandylewis6666]

A truly beautiful song from long ago still great today

[@troywindle466]

Heard this Gem on the radio today and thought what a top song

[@kanyesigsworth]

Great anti Vietnam War song. We had some great song writers and bands during this era.

[@tonywhite1624]

Great Song .. I first heard it when becoming aware of music around 11/12 in Christchurch New Zealand 69/70 ..

[@fandangofandango2022]

God I Love that Song And the Way it was Sung Just Wonderful

[@kitwalker2968]

I loved this song and Ronnie singing it. I was all of 6 at the time. I haven't heard it for 50 years but remember it clearly. But today I just got the Vietnam reference "off to the asian war".... didn't understand that at all in the day. Innocent.

[@TheOzzieRob]

I have heard this described as Australia's first protest song against the Vietnam War. The lyrics escaped me as a youngster but love this song now.

[@ACDZ123]

Hmm there were others before this Masters apprentices, war or hands of time for example

[@TheOzzieRob]

@@ACDZ123 OK I no music aficionado...lets go with one of the first...

[@frankcatlin9311]

His daughter, Lauren was a participant in Taekwondo during the Sydney Olympics and I think she won a gold medal too

[@Mustang00007]

She worked at George wrston foods.

[@alexajessop5590]

Taekwondo. Wow! Allana was a student. Got as far as red/black belt. So proud of her.

[@jamesframpton8120]

Indeed she did.

[@fjbutchbragg8129]

Bet she was smiling :)

[@graemechester4666]

1979. I turned 17 and yep, at 18 my number was pulled out of the hat. This song meant so much to me.

[@markgriffin4888]

'79, bit late, try '69, conscription was over after Gough got into power, my number came up too, but deferred because I was an apprentice, plus I had done 4 years in the school cadets.

[@georgielancaster1356]

Do you know how to edit? Very easy. Just change the 7 to 6. Welcome back. This song says it all.

[@sharonjensen3016]

@@markgriffin4888 Same for my dad. His number came up in 1965 (his birthdate was September 23, 1945). Luckily he was working for a protected industry at that time and got a deferment, but the government reserved the right to call him up at any time. Never did, but he might not have passed his medical anyway. He'd had rheumatic fever as a child and was in a bad car accident the year before he got conscripted. So they might have said: "Sorry, we can't take you, because..." Dodgy ticker? Bad back? Might have been either of those.

[@michelleseal988]

I was only about 4 years old when this come out wow amazing .. was a great song 🎧..

[@fjbutchbragg8129]

Ah.. the memories of my youth....

[@carolinegodden4364]

Always AWESOME, Golden Dadio MWAH love Birdie 🐦 xxx

[@garywhite353]

Takes me back the good days .

[@junearmstrong3108]

Could listern to ronnie burns all day ...😃💜

[@wiremuratahi4554]

Wow this old dog has learnt something new, yet it's something old. NZs Craig Scott did this song a few years later (early to mid 70s), both versions are AWESOME and nostalgic to me. ❤️🌹

[@jamesframpton8120]

Craig Scott also did in the early 1970's a slowed down version kiwi cover Australia's Lynne Randelle's "Ciao Baby", 1967, sadly she felt to take her own life, probably over 10 years ago now.

[@tkps]

I still love this song so much. This was the year I emigrated to Oz from U.K. when I was 7. Why wouldn't Johnny Young sing this himself, he could have done it. Still love Ronnie Burns version though.

[@felixhayman5934]

he did kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2fUeGSEq5dsq6c

[@shanekingston7453]

Adding to my playlist.

[@maryadriennemooreorless8479]

Take me back to the good old years. 2021 is just soul destroying. 💜🙏💜

[@jenlarge9036]

So was Vietnam.

[@maryadriennemooreorless8479]

@@jenlarge9036 I have never left Australia to travel. At age near 64 it will never ever happen. Especially with what has transpired here in past 18 months..

[@midnite_rambler]

@@maryadriennemooreorless8479 "This would be similar to Vietnam the way the thug cops treat innocent people." Wow. Cannot believe you actually wrote this. You have absolutely no idea. There is nothing and I mean nothing even remotely similar to the Vietnam Conflict and the cops in Australia. Just so incredibly ignorant.

[@deborahcurtis1385]

@@maryadriennemooreorless8479 Your insularity is showing. You can travel but perhaps not as you dreamed. The virus will be contained, it's been an incredible journey. If you imagine that this is bad, try the Spanish Flu which killed more than WW1. Get some perspective. Vietnam was no picnic and least of all for the Vietnamese people. You're in a first world country, one of the best places to be. Nostalgia is inevitable but be realistic and you'll feel better. IMO.

[@maryadriennemooreorless8479]

@@deborahcurtis1385 Go back to the fields with the rest of your flock of sheep. I really don't have time or patience for ignorance. Oh em gee. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@patrickbryant5224]

Hit Scene was hosted by Dick Williams on ABC. Loved this song then and still do.

[@deborahcurtis1385]

Yes he used to wear stovepipe pants, but the ABC dress code must have been strict. Hence the shirt and tie.

[@jadeshannon2272]

I've met him many years ago anyway he seems very nice and he was with his wife and Lauren was very young

[@listening2all]

Smiley You're out in the world today Smiley You're all on your own Smiley - Hey They say you're a man today Boy how you've grown Yesterday there was laughter and songs to sing Yesterday we had loving to burn Yet today there is peace to bring When will they learn? Smiley You're off to the Asian War And we won't see you smile no more No we won't see you smile no more No more laughter in the air No more laughter in the air Feel the tension in the air Where is love? Smiley You're out in the world today Smiley You're all on your own Smiley - Hey The Family said to say Wish you were home Smiley You're off to the Asian War And we won't see you smile no more No we won't see you smile no more No more laughter in the air No more laughter in the air Feel the tension in the air Where is love? No more laughter in the air No more laughter in the air Feel the tension in the air When will they love?

[@alexajessop5590]

Loved Ronnie's songs.

[@zwerina56]

This song was written for Normie Rowe before he went to Vietnam.

[@laurencemartin2868]

you cant see 'round corners?

[@TheRumphumper]

Normie Rowe and John Schumann should never be forgotten for their massive contributions to the better late than never welcome home to the men who fought in Vietnam. Normie could have got out of it but served in the Cavalry as an APC driver and later a crew commander. Their main job was to take the grunts to the sharp end and give covering fire. Normie left a bit of Normie over there as he was never the same. As for John Schumann well that haunting song will forever be in the Australian psyche. Bless both of them.

[@rodcraven7728]

Actually, I’d have picked it to be about the Smiley Grievens character from the movie “Smiley Gets A Gun” which came out in 1958. 10 years on, Smiley would have been going off to Vietnam. The story about it being written for Normie Rowe is well known, but having it about Smiley Grievens seems more apt.

[@raycochrane3971]

@@TheRumphumper I suspect you've a memory lapse...yes those chaps did attempt to bring some facts and acknowledgment to the fore BUT the troops weren't treated poorly by the citizenry upon their return and their part was acknowledged. The Military leadership & the Government, on the other hand, came in for a shellacking. No, Mr Rowe couldn't have "got out of it". he was targetted and wasn't prepared to do what some others did to avoid the inevitable.

[@fjbutchbragg8129]

Certainly was...

[@trisharnott7846]

Thanks for uploading this. Loved it when it came out and love it even more now.

[@greyhairedphantom4038]

Written about Normie Rowe, and when he came home from Vietnam the song was right, that big broad smile was gone!

[@deslang7563]

This can out at the time my number came up for nashos and was heartfelt by may

[@junearmstrong3108]

Yeah just love these old songs from aussie stars...

[@jadeshannon2272]

Great song

[@judithjackson4667]

i loved this song when i was growing up i australia

[@joanglenister1203]

When Johnny was writing this Ronnie at the time a s I ran Ronnies fan club and my ex was also on his way to Vietnam so went down well to me

[@georgielancaster1356]

You really lived history! It's the only song I remember of Ronnie's.

[@robertcat6595]

thank you ronnie 1987 kew / brunswick east

[@josephmaganja650]

1969😪😥😭2023

[@kennethburrows1458]

First heard thisclassic on Happening 70 thought it sounded better when slower

[@gail2500]

My friend and I were walking up Russell Street Melbourne in around 1968. We were both 12 years old and we saw Ronnie and 2 friends walking towards us. I yelled out 'there's Ronnie Burns ' They saw us and took off down an alley. If you read this Ronnie, my apologies.😊

[@bobleaver5399]

A great social commentry

[@ozperl]

Lovely song. I love it 😻😁💓👋🏻👩🏻‍🦱

[@fjbutch]

4 people haven't got a clue :)

[@santanocci]

A great Johnny Young song

[@brendaleighaus]

just watched, I remember when 'Smiley' absolutely SMASHED a commentor live on air. Forget the OSCARS !! Ron Casey went down!!!

[@craigdeasey1303]

It was Normie Rowe that smashed Ron Casey not Ronnie Burns

[@toniwilliams9469]

Classic hit!

[@fandangofandango2022]

Sung with Passion

[@TonyBurke100]

What bugs me is that there are still people who think it was a legitimate war, unbelievable.

[@georgielancaster1356]

I was there, but the sight of that hippy shirt made me grin. Looks like an old ladies bed jacket... Lol. I know I looked far worse - but I was careful to have no record left...

[@solcooper6504]

I believe Smiley was referring to Normie Rowe who went to Vietnam

[@fandangofandango2022]

Thank You

[@MichaelWilson-xc1uk]

Interesting symbols in the background....given this 1969.

[@Electricchris1]

smiley was meant to be Normie Rowe

[@skycircle9893]

Classic

[@venderstrat]

the flute makes this

[@phillipturner6137]

My nickname was smily,as I was always smiling my uncle gave me the nickname may he rest in peace and I hope he is smiling from above

[@helixator3975]

My nickname too at school. Used by kids and teachers alike. I reckon most would have struggled to come up with my actual name. 🙂

[@Mustang00007]

Precursor to Countdown..this is the presenter. On Saturday at lunchtime.

[@philipbonner6486]

I've always loved this song its very sad song, and i would love to no who the camera person who filmed this clip.

[@raymondpeillon129]

I was only 6

[@64fiestared]

He is indeed a gentleman…. Gigged with him……

[@raymutton2776]

Craog Scott a NZ singer also did a cover version in 1971 which charted. .

[@Borella309]

And what about that fantastic guitar riff that opens this song! The whole record it tremendous, though it probably gets a little overblown as it closes, but regardless, I love it.

[@paullegge5441]

This was very much one of the last of the corny, children's-orientated hit singles of the 1960s. Such music seemed to come to quite an abrupt end with the turn of the decade as the whole media seemed to be having a really big "out with the old, in with the new" focus when the 1970s came.

[@georgielancaster1356]

Children orientated? Mourning the forced service of Normie and his joyful life shattered? Yeah. Great kid's song...

[@gtop2979]

It was raining and I don't think anyone knew where Ronnie and I think Alison Durban were supposed to set up, so it ended up in the Sundale carpark. It was amazing. Not sure of the day; early 70s.

[@shondra6]

What happened to Ronnie . 💜💜💜💜

[@georgielancaster1356]

I think at one point he ran a wholefoods business - really heavily into fresh food and then Lauren his daughter won a gold medal at the Olympics. In Taekwando, I think it was. I think happily ever after married, to his dancer wife.

[@hiramhackenbacker8922]

nice

[@michaelhayden725]

This song was written about Normie Rowe after he was conscripted and sent to Vietnam Conflict.

[@fandangofandango2022]

Time Less

[@5756strat]

Pointless war. Pointless waste of so many lives. Nice song

[@joeldecoster8816]

We say the good old days but vietnam was not. I remember being little and not understanding why they made such young ones fight a war overseas, and why not the old ones. I still ask the same questions. I have kids, and grandkids who wont understand it either, Why why why,

[@gerardnunns2782]

When asked why he never sang Smiley Normie Rowe said I am Smiley the song was about me going to Vietnam

[@sliat1981]

His daughter, Lauren won a gold medal at the Olympics

[@alanlane3670]

Remember "The Flies" ????

[@ausgaze]

and he came back different (Normie)

[@georgielancaster1356]

Very sad - not just for him.

[@michaelmitchener6356]

Fabulous anti war song ! Go up to the Asian War and we won't we won't see you smile no more!

[@slackspud]

2019 ? :)

[@maxtowe9923]

Movie iN 1950,s young boy in Australia bush 10 years later sent to Vietnam war broken man

[@gerathys]

There were two films based on the Smiley books... 'Smiley' made in 1956, and 'Smiley Gets a Gun' made in 1958. Was this song about this very Australian character's loss of innocence because of the Vietnam war.

[@kenoath736]

I never realised that it was THAT Smiley. I was too young in 1969.

[@peterfairhurst6725]

I think never but I hope I'm wrong

[@1mmickk]

"Smiley" is Normie Rowe.

[@ilyk49]

A song about Normie Rowe, after he was conscripted.

[@jayapande00]

:) x

[@agent86au]

Got through the Government of the day anti Vietnam War protest song banning

[@rovert-rj7bg]

Liberal and Country parties madness...it took the ALP to end this stupidity...

[@midnite_rambler]

Went to add it to my Spotify playlist and the song has been heavily edited (silenced in parts) to remove any part not deemed politically correct.

[@jameefox9923]

What? I can't understand what part of the lyrics could offend and how dare an artists song be censored. Down with Spotify is to this is true.

[@midnite_rambler]

@@jameefox9923 They edited out "you're off to the asian war" mainly, but there are other bits edited out as well. Just sounds bad on their version.

[@jameefox9923]

@@midnite_rambler the world today thinks that erasing history means a clean slate...how demented humanity has become to leave history,learn from it and create a now alternative without destroying the past. Thanks for your response. Sacrilege to change the past because people can't handle what was.

[@georgielancaster1356]

@@midnite_rambler So the edit history? Bowdlerise history? Utterly insane

[@barrydelisle8655]

Nz version done by Craig Scott

[@leoniemillerl4487]

He had a lovely smooth voice singing this. Didn’t realise the Australian back story.

[@thedip4910]

wish he had a couple more big songs to me john farnham suffeedred the same unlucky deal till your the voice both are way better singers i reckon anyway that didnt have the songs they deserved....

[@aussiefarmer8741]

The thing is Ronnie did go to vietnam, he was drafted. Things changed. On a brighter note the music score in this song is brilliant. I have the jonny farnham christmas album and the musicians on that album are incredible. They dont do this stuff anymore.

[@simplesimon4717]

Another War song!