The lyrics were inspired by the Operation Menu bombing campaign of Cambodia by the United States during the Vietnam War.
The single was another international success, topping the charts in France, Sweden and Switzerland and hitting the top ten in several other nations. In France alone it sold one million copies. It was released on the 7" format but also as a 12" single in Germany, although not in a remixed or extended version. The B-side of both releases was an exclusive non-album track called "Watching for Shapes".
"Cambodia" was later included on Wilde's second album, Select, which was released six months after the single in May 1982. The album version of "Cambodia" runs for 7:13 minutes, as it is teamed with a more uptempo instrumental version of the song, called "Reprise".
Musically and lyrically, "Cambodia" showed a change in direction for Wilde from the new wave feel of her debut album. The song was mainly synth-driven, with oriental-sounding percussion.
Cambodia
Kim Wilde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 though 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 rendezvous
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
The song “Cambodia” by Kim Wilde tells the story of a woman whose lover is a pilot. He originally lived a comfortable life, flying on the weekends, and enjoying the easy life with her. However, this comfort is suddenly disrupted when he receives a call to fly to Cambodia. As the woman tries to make sense of the change in her lover's demeanor, she can only think of the sadness and longing in his eyes. She tries to hold him close and comfort him as he cries some nights, seemingly lost in a dream. Eventually, the pilot has to leave with the promise of coming back but never does, and the woman is left with a heart full of love but without her lover by her side.
The song is thought to be inspired by the war in Cambodia that lasted from 1975 to 1979. Kim Wilde has also stated that the song was about a real-life event involving a British helicopter pilot who was sent to Cambodia, never to return. The lyrics touch on themes such as the uncertainty and struggles of love, war, and the impact it has on those left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Well he was Thailand based
He was living in Thailand.
She was an airforce wife
She was married to someone in the airforce.
He used to fly weekends
He used to fly as a hobby on weekends.
It was the easy life
His life was simple and uncomplicated.
But then it turned around
Things took a turn for the worse.
And he began to change
He started to act differently.
She didn't wonder then
She did not question his behavior at the time.
She didn't think it strange
She did not find his behavior unusual.
But then he got a call
He received a phone call.
He had to leave that night
He had to leave immediately.
He couldn't say too much
He could not disclose the reason for his departure.
But it would be alright
He reassured her that everything would be okay.
He didn't need to pack
He did not need to pack a bag.
They'd meet the next night
They would be meeting the following night.
He had a job to do
He had an objective to accomplish.
Flying to Cambodia
He was traveling to Cambodia, most likely for work.
And as the nights passed by
As time went on.
She tried to trace the past
She attempted to recapture their past relationship.
The way he used to look
Trying to remember what he used to look like.
The way he used to laugh
Trying to remember the way he used to have fun.
I guess she'll never know
She will never know.
What got inside his soul
She will never know what changed him.
She couldn't make it out
She could not understand it all.
Just couldn't take it all
It was overwhelming.
He had the saddest eyes
He looked dejected and sorrowful.
The girl had ever seen
It was the saddest sight the girl had ever witnessed.
He used to cry some nights
He used to cry sometimes.
As though he lived a dream
As though he was living in a state of surrealism.
And as she held him close
As she embraced him.
He used to search her face
He used to look at her face intently.
As though she knew the truth
As though she had some sort of knowledge of what was happening.
Lost inside Cambodia
He was lost in Cambodia, either physically or mentally.
But then a call came through
A phone call was received.
They said he'd soon be home
They informed her that he would be returning soon.
She had to pack a case
She had to pack her things in preparation for his return.
And they would make a rendezvous
They had arranged a meeting.
But now a year has passed
A year has gone by.
And not a single word
She has not heard from him at all.
And all the love she knew
All the love she had known.
Has disappeared out in the haze
Has dissipated without a trace.
(Cambodia, don't cry now, no tears now)
This phrase is meant to comfort Cambodia, it does not add any new information to the story.
And now the years have passed
Years have gone by.
With not a single word
She has still not heard from him.
But there is only one thing left
Only one thing remains.
I know for sure
I am confident.
She won't see his face again
She will never see him again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Iricom US Ltd
Written by: Marty Wilde, Ricky Wilde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MyelinProductions
Lyrics
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 though 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
Source: LyricFind
@borisgvozdic946
2023 and still one of the best songs i've heard! Never again will the period like the 80s repeat itself
@user-jq3dw5zg1c
Сегодня 23.11.23. Помню, слушаю, не забыла. Браво
@MichaelWilliams-mo1vv
Strange the 80s was my era for music but I don't know this song
@theglavine
Huge in Europe just like Kim who was the biggest female star of the 80s in the UK and sold more singles than Dusty Springfield!@@MichaelWilliams-mo1vv
@NathalieBoissard
Trop belle chanson .belle chanteuse ca rappelle la jeunesse😊😊😊
@mikakev1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYRawHx05ZI&ab_channel=LaurentVoulzyVEVO
@VincevanHaren
This is one of the best 80's songs. The music is stunning, the vocals are perfect and her voice is absolutely brilliant. And my oh my she was also gorgeous, no wait she still is. 80's forever!
@dorasantos7870
Yes 80s Forever!!
@VincevanHaren
@@dorasantos7870 🕺🏿
@romina6579
A masterpiece...it didn't lose its effect through the years..
❤❤❤❤ this is Music!