Cambodia

Annotation

Kim Wilde, popular 80s new wave artist, born 18 November 1960, in London, UK. The song "Cambodia" (RAK Records # RAK 336) could possible be a reference to Richard Nixon's invasion of Cambodia in 1970. The track was about an air pilot that was either missing in action or who decided to not return to his previous life. It started with the pilot based in Thailand when he is called up to fly to Cambodia.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Well he was Thailand based / She was an airforce wife / He used to fly weekends / It was the easy life / But then it turned around / And he began to change / She didn't wonder then / She didn't think it strange / But then he got a call / He had to leave that night / He couldn't say too much / But it would be alright / He didn't need to pack / They'd meet the next night / He had a job to do / Flying to Cambodia / And as the nights passed by / She tried to trace the past / The way he used to look / The way he used to laugh / I guess she'll never know / What got inside his soul / She couldn't make it out / Just couldn't take it all / He had the saddest eyes / The girl had ever seen / He used to cry some nights / As though he lived a dream / And as she held him close / He used to search her face / As if she knew the truth / Lost inside Cambodia / But then a call came through / They said he'd soon be home / She had to pack a case / And they would make a rendez-vous / But now a year has passed / And not a single word / And all the love she knew / Has disappeared out in the haze / Cambodia, don't cry now, no tears now / And now the years have passed / With not a single word / But there is only one thing left / I know for sure / She won't see his face again

Notes

RAK 336 (RAK 336A 45), "Trade Mark of RAK Records Ltd", sailing-ship label design, made in Gt Britain, EMI Records Ltd rights rim text; "Cambodia" (R. Wilde / M. Wilde); Rickim Music Ltd. / RAK Publ. Ltd.; produced by Ricky Wilde; ℗ 1981 original sound recording made by RAK Records Ltd. The picture sleeve front shows a photograph of Kim Wilde with "Kim Wilde – Cambodia c/w Watching for Shapes"; the reverse is a comic-strip painting signed Rod Vass, showing the blonde heroine, a signed photograph of a man in uniform ("With all my love xxx"), a Huey helicopter over jungle against stars and stripes, and the woman in tears at sunset with a thought bubble reading "...Cambodia". [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

English pop singer, born 18 November 1960 in London. [Source: Wikipedia]

In collections

European Songs