Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
In Oliver’s Army, Costello winds catchy and elegant melodies around slightly off-kilter chord progressions, the production works to the record’s advantage, filling the songs out with bombastic power-pop arrangements and giving weight to their urgency.
The entire song is a harsh critique of a profes...
[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 (Is up for grabs)
London is full of Arabs (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
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today
And I would rather be anywhere else
But here today
[Outro]
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Oliver’s Army was written by Elvis Costello.
Oliver’s Army was produced by Nick Lowe.
Elvis Costello released Oliver’s Army on Fri Jan 05 1979.