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Artist: Elvis Costello
Track: Oliver's Army

Lyrics
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 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 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
Full Lyrics and Meaning
SongFacts
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Oliver's Army by Elvis Costello song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position
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SongMeanings Interpretations
Elvis Costello - Oliver's Army Lyrics
This song simply put is about Britishpresence around the world, mostly militant. It starts in a British citizen wanting to do good and needing to find a job.
Blur - Oliver's Army (Elvis Costello cover) Lyrics
More Featured Meanings ... This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly. ... How would you ...
Belle & Sebastian - Oliver's Army (Elvis Costello cover) Lyrics
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means. Don't have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It's ...
Elvis Costello - Sunday's Best Lyrics
For me this song about the experience of soldiers similar to ''Oliver's Army'' and the overall themes of ''Armed Forces''. ... Meanings. Album art. Dreamwalker
Elvis Costello Lyrics, Songs, Albums And More
... Oliver's Army," the first single from the album, also peaked at number two in Britain; none of the singles from Armed Forces charted in America. In the ...
Elvis Costello - Green Shirt Lyrics
I can't remember if the Armed Forces version has it, but on the demo, there's a great catchy little bridge that goes as such: "There were wires in the window ...
Elvis Costello - Chemistry Class Lyrics
... Oliver's Army). Young person's hormones as German Army on the march. Chemistry also continues that paranoid theme that runs through Armed Forces. So the the ...
Elvis Costello - London's Brilliant Parade Lyrics
Is “occidental bazaar” the reverse of the “oriental bazaar”—a future along the lines of Oliver's Army? Is “occidental bazaar” the reverse of the “ ...
Elvis Costello - Turning the Town Red Lyrics
... lyrics. Why not add your own? Log in to add a tag. More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want ...
Morrissey - The National Front Disco Lyrics
This song is a lot like some of Elvis Costello's early tracks like "Less Than Zero" and "Oliver's Army," in that it seems to examine what drives working class ...
Elvis Costello - Tripwire Lyrics
It's super easy, we promise! Artists - E · Elvis Costello · Tripwire Lyrics. More Featured Meanings. Album art. Magical Ed Sheeran ... Oliver's Army Lyrics · I ...
Elvis Costello - Sleep of the Just Lyrics
Costello himself seems to be the "I." The latter two verses are, indeed, about an estranged brother and sister -- he's gone into the Army, while she poses for ...
Elvis Costello - Goon Squad Lyrics
Well, no. Yes, real world, but the theme of this is more toward the original title of Armed Forces - "Emotional Facism." The comment about "But ...
Elvis Costello - (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea Lyrics
The lyrics seem to make sense: warders, men in white coats, i don't want to go to Chelsea... also the reference to children and teachers - the military asylum ...
Elvis Costello - Love Field Lyrics
... lyrics. Why not add your own? Log in to add a tag. More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want ...
Elvis Costello - Toledo Lyrics
... lyrics. Why not add your own? Log in to add a tag. More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want ...
Elvis Costello - The Greatest Thing Lyrics
... lyrics. Why not add your own? Log in to add a tag. More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want ...
Elvis Costello - The Beat Lyrics
Another one of Costello's love-as-police-state songs (cf "Two Little Hitlers" off Armed Forces, which was originally called Emotional Fascism). Full of military ...
Elvis Costello - Still Lyrics
... lyrics. Why not add your own? Log in to add a tag. More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want ...
Elvis Costello - Busy Bodies Lyrics
... lyrics. Why not add your own? Log in to add a tag. More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want ...
Elvis Costello - Our Little Angel Lyrics
It's super easy, we promise! Artists - E · Elvis Costello · King of America [Ryko Bonus Tracks] · Our Little Angel Lyrics ... Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want You ...
Elvis Costello - Shipbuilding Lyrics
In 1982 when the Argentinian military invaded the Falklands, Britain's Northern cities were falling apart, largely due to Thatcher's economic policies.
Elvis Costello - Alison Lyrics
... Interpretation (2), Song Meaning (3). 70. View by: Highest ... More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want You ...
Elvis Costello - Charm School Lyrics
... lyrics. Why not add your own? Log in to add a tag. More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want ...
Elvis Costello - Kinder Murder Lyrics
The third stanza has the best lyrics about sex ever. Ever. So hot, but in that literary, Elvis-y way. Mmmm. Anyway. It's about a guy in the army who impregnates ...
Elvis Costello - Pony St. Lyrics
It's super easy, we promise! Artists - E · Elvis Costello · Brutal Youth · Pony St. Lyrics ... Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want You Lyrics · Beyond Belief Lyrics ...
Elvis Costello - Miracle Man Lyrics
... Music, Inc. Lyrics powered by LyricFind. Miracle Man song meanings ... More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army ...
Elvis Costello - Senior Service Lyrics
From Armed Forces, aka Emotional Fascism. I read the whole record as a play on corporate life, organizations and life in hierarchic groups. This song's narrator ...
Elvis Costello - Mystery Dance Lyrics
... Lyrics powered by LyricFind. Mystery Dance song meanings. Add Your ... More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army ...
Elvis Costello - I Want You Lyrics
... Interpretation (1), Song Meaning (1). 34. View by: Highest Rated ... More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army ...
Elvis Costello - Less Than Zero Lyrics
Calling Mister Oswald with the swastika tattoo. There is a vacancy waiting in the English voodoo. Carving "v" for vandal on the guilty boy's head
Elvis Costello - I'll Wear It Proudly Lyrics
... lyrics. Why not add your own? Log in to add a tag. More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want ...
Elvis Costello - Love Went Mad Lyrics
Elvis Costello. 1 Comment; 0 Tags. I've looked at it every way I can. From under ... Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want You Lyrics · Beyond Belief Lyrics. SongMeanings.
Elvis Costello - Everyday I Write The Book Lyrics
Most Recent; Oldest First. General Comment. This is what Elvis had to say about the song: "Every ...
Elvis Costello - Man Out of Time Lyrics
So this is where he came to hide. When he ran from you. In a private detective's overcoat. And dirty dead man's shoes. The pretty things of Knightsbridge
Elvis Costello - Accidents Will Happen Lyrics
Elvis talked about the meaning behind this song on a VH1 Storytellers episode. ... Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want You Lyrics · Beyond Belief Lyrics. SongMeanings.
Elvis Costello - The Long Honeymoon Lyrics
... lyrics. Why not add your own? Log in to add a tag. More Elvis Costello Lyrics · Watching the Detectives Lyrics · Alison Lyrics · Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want ...
Elvis Costello - Rocking Horse Road Lyrics
It's super easy, we promise! Artists - E · Elvis Costello · Brutal Youth · Rocking Horse Road Lyrics ... Oliver's Army Lyrics · I Want You Lyrics · Beyond Belief ...
Elvis Costello - Moods for Moderns Lyrics
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means. Don't have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It's ...
Elvis Costello - Lipstick Vogue Lyrics
I prefer the version on the bonus disc for Armed Forces. The studio version on This Year's Model is just too controlled, it doesn't seem as angry.
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Genius Meanings
Elvis Costello – Oliver's Army
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
Blur – Oliver's Army
Don't start me talking / I could talk all night / My mind was sleep walking / While I'm putting the world to rights / Call careers information / Have you got yourself an occupation
OK Go – Oliver's Army
I could talk all night / My mind was sleep walking / While I'm putting the world to rights / Call careers information / Have you got yourself an occupation? / Oliver's Army is here
Raimundos – Oliver's Army
Don't start that talking / I could talk all night / My mind goes sleepwalkin' / While I'm puttin' the world to right / Call careers information / Got yourself an occupation
Bayside – Oliver's Army
Bayside is one of many artists to cover “Oliver’s Army.” The song was written by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello and originally performed with his backing band, The
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SongTell Meaning
Meaning of "Oliver’s Army" by Raimundos
"Oliver's Army" by Raimundos is actually a cover of the song by Elvis Costello and The Attractions. The song was originally released in 1979 and is known f...
Meaning of "Oliver’s Army" by Elvis Costello
The song "Oliver's Army" by Elvis Costello is about the human cost of war as well as immigration and social injustice. The narrator is trying to talk to so...