The song was written in 2003[1] as a tribute to the 48,000 Australian surviving Vietnam War veterans.

[3] In the song, the character's best friend dies in his arms in battle, later suffers a divorce and shares tragedy with a new wife who miscarries twice.

In February 2005 Blundell told Nu Country "That wasn't my brother, it's more metaphoric.

[5][6] The single was released in April 2005 as the lead single from Blundell's eighth studio album Deluge (2005), with royalties donated to the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia and the James Blundell Scholarship for the children of Vietnam Veterans.

The song remained in the Country Top 30 for four months and peaked at number 2 on the Australian Independent Singles Chart.