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? Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else But here today 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 nigger Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else But here today 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 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 Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way 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 And I would rather be anywhere else But here today
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? Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else But here today 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 nigger Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way And I would rather be anywhere else But here today 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 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 Oliver's army is here to stay Oliver's army are on their way 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 And I would rather be anywhere else But here today
“Oliver’s Army” foi gravado com uma produção polida e a linha de teclado inspirada no estilo ABBA, criando um contraste entre a melodia cativante e a letra crítica.
A canção foi inspirada pelas próprias experiências de Costello ao viajar para a Irlanda do Norte, onde observou soldados britânicos patrulhando Belfast, refletindo os Troubles no texto.
Como primeiro single do álbum *Armed Forces* (1979), a faixa ficou três semanas no segundo lugar da UK Singles Chart e permaneceu na tabela por 12 semanas.
O sucesso de “Oliver’s Army” impulsionou a sequência “Accidents Will Happen”, que alcançou o top 30 no Reino Unido.
A música continua a ser reconhecida como destaque do álbum e aparece em várias listas de melhores canções de Costello, além de ter sido regravada por artistas como Blur.
Encontre o álbum e produtos relacionados a esta música
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