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.
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.