Cold Chisel: Khe Sanh (1978) - Alpha History

Khe Sanh is an Australian rock song written by pianist ang songwriter Don Walker and recorded by his band, Cold Chisel. It appeared on the group’s self-titled album and was released as a single in 1978, soon becoming a favourite of the band’s followers.

Told in the first person, Walker’s lyrics describe the frustrated and unsettled life of a returned Vietnam veteran. He arrives home to a thankless country (“there were no V-Day heroes in 1973”), takes up several unsatisfying jobs and struggles with drug addiction and post-war trauma. The song ends with the former soldier returning to south-east Asia, presumably to Vietnam, still in search of answers and peace.

Khe Sanh achieved only modest chart success, reaching only 41, likely because its provocative lines about sex and drug use were too risque for mainstream radio. It has since become an iconic Australian pub rock song, more for its upbeat tempo and singalong chorus than its dispiriting lyrics. Ironically, the Battle of Khe Sanh (1968), which the song refers in its title, was fought almost entirely by American forces – the Australian contingent in Vietnam was based much further south and not directly involved at Khe Sanh.

I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh And I sold my soul 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 1973 And how we sailed into Sydney Harbour I 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 until they found their chosen one And their legs were often opened 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 And car parks made 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 I held a job on an oil rig, flying choppers when I could But the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend.

And I’ve travelled round the world from year to year And each one found me aimless, one more year the worse for wear I’ve been back to south-east Asia, you know the answer sure ain’t there But I’m drifting north to check things out again.

Well the last plane out of Sydney’s almost gone Only seven flying hours and I’ll be landing in Hong Kong And 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 You know 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 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.

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