‘Oliver's Army’ is a song written by Elvis Costello and performed by Costello and the Attractions, from the former's third studio album Armed Forces (1979). The song is a new wave track that was lyrically inspired by the Troubles in Northern Ireland and includes lyrics critical of the socio-economic components of war. Costello had travelled to Northern Ireland and was influenced by sights of British soldiers patrolling Belfast. This was Costello's most successful single in the United Kingdom, spending three weeks at number two on the UK Singles Chart and remaining on the chart for 12 weeks. The song also charted in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland and Australia, and it spawned the successful follow-up single ‘Accidents Will Happen’, which reached the top 30 in the UK.
‘Oliver's Army’ has since been recognised by writers as one of the highlights of Armed Forces and has received critical acclaim for its melody, production, and lyrics. The song has appeared on numerous rankings of Costello's great songs as well as on multiple compilation albums. It has been covered by multiple artists, including Blur.
Costello wrote ‘Oliver's Army’ as a comment on the Troubles in Northern Ireland during the 1970s. He was inspired to write the song after seeing British soldiers patrolling the streets of Belfast. He stated, "I made my first trip to Belfast in 1978 and saw mere boys walking around in battle dress with automatic weapons. They were no longer just on the evening news. These snapshot experiences exploded into visions of mercenaries and imperial armies around the world. The song was based on the premise 'they always get a working-class boy to do the killing'". Costello's family had roots in the Northern Ireland conflict; as his father, Ross McManus, recalled, "'Oliver's Army' is an important track for me... My grandfather was an Ulster Catholic, and as a child, I lived in an area where bigotry was rife". Costello's Irish grandfather, Pat McManus, had served as a British soldier during World War I and the Easter Rising.
The line, "With the boys from the Mersey and the Thames and the Tyne," refers to the rivers of the three largest population centers on the coasts of England: Liverpool, London, and Newcastle. These areas were economically depressed when Elvis wrote the song and it is where the Army did much of its recruiting. Costello said in Q magazine, March 2008: "I don't think its success was because of the lyrics. I always liked the idea of a bright pop tune that you could be singing along to for ages before you realize what it is you're actually singing. Of course, the downside of that is some people only hear the tune and never listen to the words. After a while I got frustrated at that."
‘Oliver's Army’ was released as the debut single from Armed Forces on 2 February 1979, backed with Costello's rendition of the 1937 show-tune "My Funny Valentine". The single became a commercial hit in the UK, reaching number two over a chart stay of 12 weeks, and remains Costello's most successful UK single release. Costello never reached number one in the UK. ‘Oliver's Army’ was also a hit in other countries, reaching number 4 in Ireland, number 24 in Australia, and number 25 in New Zealand. However, the song failed to chart in the United States despite radio airplay and the success of Armed Forces in the U.S.
Label – Radar
Songwriter – Elvis Costello
Producer – Nick Lowe
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]Don't start that talking
I could talk all night
My mind goes sleepwalking
While I'm putting the world to right
Call careers information
Have you got yourself an occupation?
[Chorus]
Oliver's army is here to stay
Oliver's army are on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today
[Verse 2]
There was a Checkpoint Charlie
He didn't crack a smile
But it's no laughing party
When you've been on the murder mile
Only takes one itchy trigger
One more widow, one less white nigga
[Chorus]
Oliver's army is here to stay
Oliver's army are on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today
[Bridge]
Hong Kong is up for grabs
London is full of Arabs
We could be in Palestine
Overrun by the Chinese line
With the boys from the Mersey and the Thames and the Tyne
[Verse 3]
But there's no danger
It's a professional career
Though it could be arranged
With just a word in Mister Churchill's ear
If you're out of luck or out of work
We could send you to Johannesburg
[Chorus]
Oliver's army is here to stay
Oliver's army are on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today
[Outro]
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today