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Smiley Lyrics
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's a war and there's 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?
(Haaaaaa)
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 learn?
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's a war and there's peace to bring
When will they learn?
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?
(Haaaaaa)
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
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
Feel the tension in the air
When will they learn?
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I take this as being song about the Vietnam War. The song was released in 1969, and Australia had been involved in the war for over 5 years at that time.
The main character, Smiley (a nickname for their sunny disposition most likely) has reached the age of adult hood and has to serve in the War (perhaps conscripted?).
Now either the character dies in Vietnam (hence "we won't see you smile no more") or the horrors of war will change them sunny disposition forever ("No more laughter in the air").
Either way it is a song that starts off quite cheery that turns solemn as the true theme and anti-war nature of the song evolves as the song continues.
@sokorny The song is indeed about the Vietnam war and a conscript being sent to fight. The "Smiley" in the song refers to a friend of the singer and fellow Aussie popstar of the time - Normie Rowe who was conscripted and sent to fight in a war not many believed in. The war changed him and the song reflects the anti war feelings of the time.
@sokorny The song is indeed about the Vietnam war and a conscript being sent to fight. The "Smiley" in the song refers to a friend of the singer and fellow Aussie popstar of the time - Normie Rowe who was conscripted and sent to fight in a war not many believed in. The war changed him and the song reflects the anti war feelings of the time.
The song is indeed about the Vietnam war and a conscript being sent to fight. The "Smiley" in the song refers to a friend of the singer and fellow Aussie popstar of the time - Normie Rowe who was conscripted and sent to fight in a war not many believed in. The war changed him and the song reflects the anti war feelings of the time.
The song is indeed about how Normie Rowe's tour of duty in Vietnam changed him from a 'happy' fella into a more sombre, serious man that would remain pent up until he unleashed his rage on radio DJ Ron Casey on live national television