Meaning of In the Army Now & The Story Behind

The Story of the creation of the song In the Army Now. Curious how little-known artists feel when more popular bands record their songs almost in the original version, after which they become worldwide hits? I would like to get a sincere answer from the Bolland brothers, who in 1981 presented to an ungrateful public the album The Domino Theory, which begins with the composition You’re In the Army Now.

Yes, yes, if you didn’t know about it, the Status Quo group is not the author of the immortal hit, by which the vast majority of the Russian-speaking audience recognizes it. Moreover, she only slightly changed the original text, made the sound a little harsher and shortened the title. But we will return to Status Quo a little lower, but first a couple of kind words about the Boland & Boland group and its creation.

The story of creation and the meaning of the song In the Army Now

The track In the Army Now opens the album The Domino Theory. Its name refers to the political theory that was the basis for the US invasion first of Vietnam and then of Latin America and other regions.

The album has an undisguised anti-war character. The songs included in it are sung on behalf of a soldier who is forced to participate in such operations. The story of the protagonist begins with the composition In the Army Now: he enters the army, where he encounters hypocrisy and cruelty.

The song, performed by Boland & Boland, reached number one on the Norwegian charts and number two on the Swedish charts. The Domino Theory was positively reviewed by critics, with Allmusic’s Tomasz Mureika calling it a “beautiful concept album” that “makes you think about very important topics”.

Video of In the Army Now by Status Quo

And now about Status Quo, which made the song a worldwide hit. The group is known to play rhythmic rock and roll, diluting it with elements of boogie-woogie and rhythm and blues. She does this more than successfully and is now even the leader among British bands in terms of the number of singles that hit the official chart.

Let’s not guess what prompted the musicians from Status Quo to record the song In the Army Now, which did not correspond to their style, and even name the entire album after it, but the success was overwhelming. The band had no such well-known compositions either before or after In the Army Now.

In 2010, Status Quo released a new version of the song, as Rossi said, “to support the allied forces in the world, but primarily the British Armed Forces.” The proceeds from the sale of the single were donated to the British Forces Foundation (rehabilitation of former soldiers) and Help for Heroes (help for wounded soldiers). In general, everything is beautiful and noble.

Only now In the Army Now was composed as an anti-war song, and its lyrics denouncing the army did not correspond to such a pathetic event. But is this really a problem for the talented guys from Status Quo. They quickly rewrote some lines, resulting in an excellent military-patriotic composition. These are the metamorphoses.

In our country, the song enjoyed incredible popularity for a long time. A huge number of covers were made for it with the translation of the text into Russian and Ukrainian, among which there are many comic and parody ones.

Interesting Facts

Francis Rossi heard You’re In the Army Now while in Germany.
The phrase “Stand up and fight” in the song “In the Army Now” performed by Status Quo was shouted out by Noddy Holder, the vocalist of the rock band Slade.
In the Army Now was performed by the Lube group.
The melody In the Army Now in an accelerated version was used by the group “Dune” in the song “Country Limoniya”.

You Are In The Army Now Lyrics

(in brackets the line from the 2010 version)

A vacation in a foreign land
[You’re on your way to a foreign land]
Uncle Sam does the best he can
[Now’s the time to do what you can]
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army now

Now you remember what the draftman said,
“Nothing to do all day but stay in bed”
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army now

You’ll be the hero of the neighborhood
Nobody knows that you left for good
[Counting the days till you’re back for good]
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army now

Smiling faces as you wait to land
But once you get there no one gives a damn
[Side by side every woman and man]
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army now

Hand grenades flying over your head
Missiles flying over your head
If you want to survive get out of bed
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army now

Shots ring out in the dead of night
The sergant calls: “Stand up and fight!”
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army now

You’ve got your orders better shoot on sight
[You’ve got your orders better put things right]
Your finger’s on the trigger
But it don’t seem right
[Now it’s time to fight]
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army now
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army now

Night is falling and you just can’t see
Is this illusion or reality
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army now
You’re in the army now
Oh, oh, you’re in the army no

Lyrics of You Are In The Army Now Alternate

(in brackets the line from the 2010 version)

Vacation in a distant land
(You’re on your way to a distant land)
Uncle Sam did his best
(Now you gotta do your best)
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army

Now you remember what the recruiter said:
“You will rest all day and lie in bed”
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army

At home you will be a local hero
But no one knows that he left forever
(Counting the days until the final return)
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army

Smiles on faces while you wait to board
But once you’re there, no one cares about you.
(Hand in hand all men and women)
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army

Hand grenades fly overhead
Projectiles fly overhead
If you want to survive, get out of bed
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army

Shots are fired in the dark,
The sergeant yells, “Get up and fight!”
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army

You’ve been ordered to shoot without warning
(You were ordered to always be collected)
Your finger on the trigger
But it doesn’t seem right
(Now it’s time to fight)
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army

The night has fallen and you just don’t understand
Is it illusion or reality
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army
Now you’re in the army
Oh-oh, now you’re in the army