How music brings meaning to the role of war in two Australian Vietnam War popular songs

This article analyses the music of two Australian Vietnam War popular songs: ‘Smiley’, written by Johnny Young in 1969, which charted in Australia at number 2 in 1970; and ‘I Was Only 19’ by John Schumann, which charted in Australia at number 1 in 1983. Music has a potential for meaning within the function of the context within which the music is received. The lyrics provide the context by outlining the war focus of each song. The music underpins and adds to the song’s story through specific music devices bringing further meaning to the role of war in the songs. Choice of instruments and their timbre bring associations and vocal register, timbre, and a chorus of voices reinforce the sense of fraternity and aloneness in war. Through these musical devices, the war story is deepened, portraying sympathy, an understanding of the effects of war, and the history and sounds of war and Australian society at the time, with music playing a role within and beyond the lyric context.