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OK, OK …Khe Sanh. And Acadaca.

I decided too much Jimmy is never enough

So after introducing some of my northern hemisphere readers to the gravelly delights of the fabulous Jimmy Barnes, I thought to myselt: BB, you cannot leave it here. That would just be cruel.
So I had to bring you the unbeatable Aussie rock Cold Chisel pub rock song:
This first version was recorded three years ago…

Man I love these guys
The lyrics tell of a Vietnam veteran coping with life after the war was over. I know EVERY SINGLE WORD. I would hazard a bet that most Aussies aged between 30 and 60 do too. I don’t think it’s too much to say that (for this age group at least) this song is almost like another national anthem. Well, an after-dark, after pub-time national anthem. You know what I mean!
I am momentarily 20 years old and dancing at 2am in some nightclub in Brisbane, or at some B&S in the bush, screaming along with Jimmy. I confess I am actually doing a little hair-thrashing here in the lounge room… such a great look! Luckily no-one else is up to be embarrassed by me…
Interestingly (in my trawling) I discovered this version also :

…a much younger Cold Chisel with a 1978 rendition.
Some things just get better with age. Would you agree?
(And I am not talking wine, people!)
And lastly (if your ears haven’t been bashed enough in this post) I thought I should share that OTHER great Aussie 70’s rock band, ACDC, with their classic head-banging song:
You Shook Me (All Night Long).

This band are currently doing a sell-out tour of Oz.
I promise to go all gentle on you next post after these last two blasts into my past.
Hope your weekend was groovin’ too.
Cheers
BB

8 Comments

  • Kate

    First off love Khe Sahn, both video’s are great. I’m definitely hitting iTunes! And then, sigh, AC/DC, I love them. I am mocked all the time for my love. I seem to have forgotten that they were Aussie, but that little tidbit just makes me love them more! And every time You Shook Me comes on I blast it and do some serious head-banging. What a great post. Loving it 🙂

  • Jenni

    I came over for the Acadaca. Couldn’t resist that in the title. The *other* great Aussie rock band? Excuse me? Well, I suppose I’ll have to listen to the other song now, but I really don’t think ACDC can be beat. Particularly not this song, which is probably *the* best rock song ever. I have it as my ringtone, too:o)

    And what about INXS? Michael Hutchence was one of the very few stars to make it onto my bedroom wall when I was in high school. I wasn’t the kind of girl that liked posters of celebs, but I had a small pic of Michael Hutchence and one of Jon Bon Jovi.

    There was another Australian band that I heard a few songs from a while back, too. Can’t remember the name. They sounded really promising, but I never heard much from them. Ugh. This is going to bug me until I figure it out.

  • Bush Babe

    Finally… someone bites on the “Other” great band throwaway line!!! Heh. I forget they are so massive O/S. You have You Shook Me as a ring tone… I’d never answer the phone (too busy shaking in time!).

    This blog is so very random, that I have lots of bands I love yet to be discussed. I was only going to talk Jimmy, but I got distracted by AC/DC selling out tours down here. THat happens a lot.

    Kate – pleased to enrich your aural experience, mah dear!

    Frances – I am imagining you rocking along in your living room!!

    Hugs
    BB

  • Kelly

    Cold Chisel was new to me and I guess I had forgotten that AC/DC was Aussie.

    I have always loved AC/DC and have many fond memories associated with their music, mostly from the ‘Back in Black’ album. ‘Hells Bells’ is probably my fave. (humming the intro as I type this)

  • Jayne

    Love both those songs (and bands!) – Khe Sanh was especially brave considering the time it was released most Vietnam Vets were still shunned by many in the RSL and general life.
    Saw Celine Dion butcher “You Shook Me All Night Long” and have never recovered from the horror!

  • ~*Autumn*~

    Ok… so I am going to admit something completely humiliating… I didn't know that AC/DC was an Australian band! My brother in law is HUGE fans of it and I don't know if he told me and I just was using my ever ready selective hearing to tune out his words or what… but thank you for cluing me into that bit of information.

    I love that song and have since I was a little girl and just liked to jump around to it without knowing what exactly the words meant. 🙂 Thanks for the blast… I really did enjoy it!

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