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.