IN THE ARMY NOW 2010

Status Quo

Well, don't I feel silly. For years I thought this was the best song Status Quo had ever done, partly because it doesn't sound remotely like your standard issue Quo offering. Well, I was searching the Internet for the lyrics (I'll explain why in a moment) and guess what, it's no blinking wonder it doesn't sound like a Status Quo song. It's not theirs, they only covered it. No, the credit actually goes to Bolland and Bolland, but before you start congratulating them on a job well done, they're also two-thirds responsible for Rock Me Amadeus. Swings and roundabouts, folks, swings and roundabouts. So, back to In The Army Now. It's bleak, cynical and paints a pretty grim picture of being a soldier in the US Army. Or at least, it did. The lyrics have been... what's the nicest way to say it... "changed," I think. In the space of 24 years, this song has gone from "War is Hell" to "Army Recruitment Song." Here are a couple of examples of altered lyrics, see if you can spot the differences, they're very subtle. First off - "You'll be the hero of the neighbourhood, nobody knows that you left for good" changes to "You'll be the hero of the neighbourhood, counting the days until you're back for good." Now try this - "You've got your orders - better shoot on sight, your finger's on the trigger but it don't seem right" now goes "You've got your orders - better put things right, your finger's on the trigger, now it's time to fight." This song's message has been completely turned around - I don't mind telling you I was a bit taken aback the first time I heard it, it was pop music's equivalent of Greedo shooting first. Now, I fully appreciate that this song has been reworked for charity, but listen to the melody. The fact is this is not designed to be an upbeat, positive song - if you played this on a piano, all the keys on the right hand side would be completely redundant. However, having said that, the arrival of this alternate universe song means that whether you're for or against military action, there's a version of this song for you. The tunes are almost identical, the only difference is the lyrics. Personally, I prefer the 1986 arrangement, the lyrics work better with the tune for me. Even so, this is now the two best songs that Status Quo have ever done.