Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Oliver's Army 

Did security for him in London hes a quality fella so down to earth

Can hardly believe this song is 41 years old. Where has the time gone? Loved it then, love it today.

There's something about this song. I utterly love it. Listened to it hundreds of times. Never tired of it.

1:11 >drops the n bomb >goes into one of the best choruses ever >frolicks around a beach like a 5 year old

This song is damn masterpiece

Met him twice on the street in London. We had a nice chat. He even remembered me the second time. Sound guy. Amazing talent.

P A L E S T I N E!! Thanks Elvis XX.

I’m probably the youngest in this comment section. I’m 14 and this was my dad’s favorite song. He passed a month ago and I’m listening on repeat because of him

This nerdy looking bloke became one of the coolest musicians overnight with great songs.

A song about sending young working-class men off to die in foreign wars, that sounds like Abba. Brilliant.

A Classic. One of the greatest song writers ever.

The world has officially gone down the tiolet. Its an antiwar song for fuck sake. Next movies made in the past will be deemed offensive because of period language.

Dear Mr Costello. Please don't tamper with the song. It's historically pitch perfect. Taboo will only masquerade the truth and facts that you so eloquently put in prose. People need to know how it was.

I think this is one of his all time best songs.Its 2024 and still loving it.

Brilliant track ,proving that class never ages.Lyrics still relevant today..

My husband & I loved this. I lost him in 2020 to cancer at 58 yrs old. Love you Gareth ,miss you Gar , always love you

Can’t believe Elvis has disowned his own song! Apart from being a brilliant song it was honest, poetic and loved by my generation. I had just finished a tour of duty in Ulster when it was released and could relate exactly to what he was saying about working class lads always being recruited to sort out someone else’s mess. I accept some of the lyrics would be viewed as not PC today, but I hope the trend of pulling down statues is not going to transfer to works of art, literature and poetry. I would urge Elvis to think again and remember he was only reflecting values that were held widely in the seventies and he has nothing to be ashamed of.

My favorite Elvis Costello song. Beautiful music to my ears.

This is one of my favorite songs ever written. It’s has so many political undertones while still maintaining a bubblegum jingle to it. It’s a catchy tune, that actually has something to say. Bravo Elvis Costello, you’re my inspiration as a writer.

I was 19. St Thomas's Hospital student nurse. This was playing everywhere. I'm 63 now and still remember every word. Brings back such happy memories! Hi to any Nightingales out there!

play the fucking song. fight the madness, man....we got your back...

The boys from the Mersey and the Thames & the Tyne!

69 and I'm still loving it...

Obrigado raimundos, por me mostrar essa canção incrível.

Sad that so many on both sides of the culture wars get hung up on that one word when the message of the song’s lyrics remains timely and relevant decades removed from the political climate it was written in.

This guy was so far ahead of his time its just plain scary.

No fluff, no fancies gimmicks, just one of the greatest songs in British music. Written, played and sung by the band. Outstanding.

Oliver's army this is the best thank you elvis

I bought this single out of my paper round money 41 years ago.I was chuffed then,played it to death All these decades later its just as good for me.I love it.😀

I was in hospital for 8 weeks in 1979 at age 9, this song was number one in the charts for 7 weeks. I'll never forget it

I love the Churchill and historical references. best song of all time.

Oliver's army great thanks

The best song of Elvis Costello...

Back when pop songs had clever lyrics...

2024 We should of listened to this song sooner lol

Immaculate instrumentation-- love the palm tree shots that start @ 0.37

A truly Great Song by one of the Finest Song writers ever . I often thought of this song when in Army 🪖 Vehicles in the 1980 s never knowing what might or might not happen .

I was 14 in 1979 and remember going in to town to buy this record with my best mate Steve. Its still up there as one of my favorite songs along with Accidents will happen. And 40 years later me Steve and Elvis are still best mates.

One of the coolest motherf**kers ever to pick up a guitar. The Buddy Holly glasses, the suits, the mannerisms. Just oozed coolness. Absolutely love it

Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello always reminded me of each other--even back in the '80s and early '90s. Wouldn't be suprirsed for a minute if they were related. Even Bono who loves Bruce said; "Oh you look just like someone I'd see in Irleand!" lol So great

When my dad was in secondary school, him and his friends would put on chemistry goggles and sing this song’s chorus, as they all decided said goggles made them look like Elvis Costello.

*This one of the greatest songs ever made*

There is nothing wrong with using a 'racist' term in the correct context. Plus it is as catchy as Abba.

We don't need Winston Smith to censor us...we are doing it to ourselves. (See EC's response and comments for context)

One of the few perfect songs in existence

2020 March......🙏🏼🇬🇧✌🏻

Jonesing on the tone of young Elvis’ voice and the genius melody🥰

Elvis Costello, The Best, I met him on the street in NYC, in 86, couldn't believe it. Great Artist, he talked to me for a good 10 minutes. What a Great Guy!

shed a tear when i read all the comments,so relieved that i was not on my own finding this song absolutely a significant turning point in my life,thanks Elvis.

Anyone who doesn't understand that this intentionally parodies intolerance and prejudice has really missed the whole song. They somehow missed the video too.

Heeey!! Gracias Mr Costello, you give a hope to a whole generation of kids with glasses like me! You were my favorite musician during my childhood… Thaks, 🤓

One of the best songs in the history of the world.

Timeless anthem! No matter how many times I listen to it, it never gets old. Classic!

Fantastic song. The piano is really good And great vocals.

First ever single . I ever bought love it then ,as I do now . Don’t know why he disowned it

enjoy it while you can boys & girls..only a matter of time till the only song left deemed "acceptable" will be Happy Birthday..."& I would rather be ANYWHERE else than in 2022 today..." ffs.

As a former member of "Olivers Army" who left the British Army at exactly the same time as this record was released, I actually love this song. This is the label on the tin which we all signed up for, in order to escape the tedious existence of unemployment in the UK. In my "Brick" in Northern Ireland we had soldiers from every country in the UK (including NI) and I was proud that we ensured that nobody died in Armagh during our 3 month tour there in early 1978.

I was 12 going on 13 when this was number one. So many great songs from that year. I now have a grandson, a few months old, named Oliver. So I play this to him…

some of the new wave bands around this era were so far ahead of their time... thank goodness for Declan and his contemporaries

Great anti imperialist, anti war protest song from the point of view of the aggressor. Fantastic and eternally relevant piece of art.

This is one of those songs that you can loop endlessly and it doesn't get repetitive. Perfectly crafted pop with underlying intelligent lyrics about something other than love or getting drunk in a club. XD

I bought all the EC albums the day they were released. This song is a criticism of Oliver Cromwell, who is hated by the Irish, the use of working class British boys to fight in unnecessary conflicts, and mercenaries. I understand why Elvis doesn't want it played on the radio anymore - because it has been misunderstood as racist.

Did you know that Elvis Costello confirmed that the piano part of this song was inspired by ABBA’s Dancing Queen?

I read an article about this song on the Daily Mail and I'm appalled at people's reaction, I have a black parent and I knew what the lyrics were in the '80s although I only just found out what he was talking about, I wasn't offended then and I'm now only offended by people's attitudes! Having been raised Catholic I know that the Catholic Irish were persecuted, I just wonder if the grandfather he was referring to was also the husband of Veronica, love that song too!!!!

I love Elvis Costello & "Oliver's Army"... I hope this video doesn't get pulled from YT. Please leave the song alone. :( Words tell a story & have to be considered in the way they were intended; a song should not be censored b/c words are taken out of context. There is historical significance to the words of this song & that is part of its artistry. Attempting to re-write history is criminal ... an outcry over the use of words in this song can only occur if you're purposely TRYING to make trouble where there is none. Please don't mess with the artistry. We love you, Elvis... please don't let the troublemakers beat you down.

This album came out 45 years ago (1-5-79) and it still sounds fresh. Terrific collection of songs!

In 57 years of listening to pop, this is my all time no1, from the best year for songs, 1979, which I have a specific year playlist rather than a specific decade.

Sorry Elvis/ Declan. This song is too good for me to take it off my playlist. I was 11 in 1979 so I know that the "N" word then was nearly as hard hitting and significant as it is today. I honestly believe that the song isn't racist and does raise the issue of what young men are asked to do for militaries and mercenary companies. The issues the song raises are as live now as they were in 1979 even if the geography has moved. And as for your concerns that two of the three songs for which you will be remembered weren't even written by you - to be remembered as a memorable interpreter of other people's songs as well as creating your own (it's about time a band in their late teens or early 20's covered "Pump it Up") - that will be some epitaph. Language and its abuse are lives issues and don't think I missed "London is full of Abs" in the lyrics. But I also feel that great artists need freedom to choose their language to express their ideas. You have no reason to feel embarrassed by this track and your admirers have no reason to stop liking the song. With respect and admiration ...

The poppiest song to ever drop the N-word.

I'm here because of the N word controversy at 1:14

Brings back school day memories, loved this song & still do 2day...❤

I am so happy to hear this again! Thank you sir! ❤😊

Don't start that talking I could talk all night My mind was 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 ni*ger 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 Mr. 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 Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh

I was six years old ish when this came out and rmember singing it in my head on the way to school classic song thanks

Elvis now wants this song banned, because of the White N word part in the song. I hope not. A great song.

Costello's best song by far. Once of the best pop songs ever!

Loved this guy over 40 years. Master wordsmith!

The lyrics are so biting, so brilliant. And that piano. I loved this song in 1979 and still do so today in 2023.

Second Best Elvis there was 👍🏼

This is a terrific song by probably the most underrated songwriter of all time. Does ANYONE think this sounds like a song from 1979?! Classic but not dated. E.C. & co. are just brilliant!

How can it be 43 years since I bought this utterly timeless classic? Word-perfect, poptastic-tunesmithery with enough righteous sass, pop-sheen and melody to ensure it will still sound fresh and relevant in another 43 years. Mr Costello nailed every aspect of this bullseye! Don't change a word Declan... it didn't offend then and it doesn't offend now.

Elvis, come on, man. Canceling your own song? It's a piece of history. Wake up, not woke!

Over 40 years and not once until today did I notice the N word in the lyrics...

This was never censored, not even on totp, nobody noticed. if you see racism in these lyrics you're missing the point.

The murder mile refers to one square mile in Belfast that accounts for 1in 3 deaths in the conflict!

Absolutely my most favorite..Oh wait...there's Allison,, and then, Pump it up. God I love Elvis Costello....xoxo

Wish he could see how much love this song still gets 🥰

I am a person of colour, and I am neither offended nor hurt. it's a brilliant song, end of

I had never heard of Elvis Costello until this song hit the radio. I was in college and of an age to be in someone's army. This one spoke to me. I bought the album and have loved Elvis C, particularly with the Attractions, ever since. I am glad to still have Elvis as we grow old together!

"London is full of Arabs, you could be in Palestine", wow. A song well ahead of it's time and so accurate.

I kind of feel for the younger generation. It's like the Lester Bangs character said in Almost Famous. "Rock and roll is dead. It's over. You missed it." Man, we were lucky to grow up with killer music.

What were the odds that the racists would fixate on a certain word in this song and, in doing so, would take its meaning entirely out of context?

A true anthem!

Great song. Don't listen to the woke haters who have never achieved anything in their lives and just want to bring down those who have.

Always loved your music, and your acting on 2 1/2 men thank you ❤

One of the most brilliant pieces of pop genius, and politically scathing, all in one package. This song absolutely is in the hall of fame for pop songs, but holy cow is the video *bad*. I assume the humor is intentional, but I'm not sure.

Melodically one of my all-time favourites.

It's about Jamie Oliver and his war on sub standard school dinners ! 😂

This song always brings back memories of me being frustrated when I was 12, I loved Elvis Costello but everybody, even my own friends, laughed at me for liking this music. I don't care, I feel blessed for having such terrific parents, raising me to the right kind of music :)

Great song from a great album.