Elvis produced the Specials, worked with Allan Toussaint, Jimmy Cliff, The Roots, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, participated in Rock Against Racism.......
@@yournamehere6002 EC is my goat. My previous comment was misconstruable but my meaning is about the fact he is not racist and lives in a new world order of politically correct sycophants. Even before this song or "that incident".
Oliver’s Army is actually about the situation in Ireland, the Oliver in question being Oliver Cromwell, and the army being the British Army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Thank you for your reaction..
From Wikipedia: Costello wrote "Oliver's Army" as a comment on the Troubles in Northern Ireland during the 1970s. He was inspired to write the song after seeing British soldiers patrolling the streets of Belfast.[1] He stated, "I made my first trip to Belfast in 1978 and saw mere boys walking around in battle dress with automatic weapons. They were no longer just on the evening news. These snapshot experiences exploded into visions of mercenaries and imperial armies around the world. The song was based on the premise 'they always get a working class boy to do the killing'".[2][3] Costello's family had roots in the Northern Ireland conflict; as his father, Ross McManus, recalled, "'Oliver's Army' is an important track for me.. My grandfather was an Ulster Catholic, and as a child, I lived in an area where bigotry was rife".[4] Costello's Irish grandfather, Pat McManus, had served as a British soldier during World War I and the Easter Rising.[1][5] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver%27s_Army
This song is about the conflict in Northern Ireland during the 1980's, Whte N...er was a derogatory term used to refer to Irish Catholics during that period.
@@soapboxx9664 I am very well aware of the fact that the word has nothing to do with racism in the context he used it in 1978. The problem isn't EC from 1978. The problem is the globalist suck up toady EC is in 2022. He's hardly biting the hand that feeds him anymore. Rather, he is kissing that hand and saying "please sir...I want some more..." thus evoking a very different Oliver.
An Irish friend put it this way: "The Irish have always been considered to be the n- of Europe." I have never been personally offended by Costello using the n- word here because I understood how he was using it. One of the best protest songs ever penned.
@@tdsims1963 just started reading Johnny Rotten's autobiography, where he talks a lot about the prejudice against the Irish. the subtitle is "no irish. no blacks. no dogs." , an actual sign on a local pub. plenty of prejudice to go around. we need brave artists like EC and rotten to speak the truth about our times. love live rock n roll!!
Someone may of done so but "The English" is a continental distance beyond unreasonable generalisation. I would suggest that maybe 97% of us wouldn't even know what the white N word even means.
written about the biggest bastard who ever walked on Irelands shores and then broadened into the troubles of northern ireland and second class citizens of catholics in the 60s etc. The language is shocking but its how he expressed how they were seen there against the broader world context
I have only just subscribed, but already glad I did. I love this song, my father was serving in northern Ireland in '77, I was conceived there, and born in Germany. and My father loved this. My passport still says I'm English, go figure....My question is this, how have you not heard these songs before? Olivers Army is over forty years old! I know it never got to number one, but still....
Just subscribed to Minor Reacts after watching several of your posts. Your reaction to Prince's GET OFF sealed the deal... Lol I'm impressed w the variety so far. Elvis Costello introduced what was called "nerd rock" because of his glasses and awkward, jerky, spastic moves... Like he was dancing off the beat. I think the term you were searching for was "concept" for the video. The settings kept alternating between the bar and the beach scene. I think the symbolism reflects the contrasts between paradise and everyday living (suits). Even at the beach, they couldn't relax and enjoy the scenery. Costello's music was punk driven, with the angst of youth thrown into the songs. Check out his other breakthrough songs: Radio, Radio!, Pump It Up, Peace Love and Understanding, Watching the Detectives (has a reggae inspired beat).
@ 4:50, i think the word you're looking for is 'arrangement'. Great record. remember it well. He got his break whilst living in Birkenhead, on the Wirral, an area called the North End. A very rough area, same area as the late great Paul O'Grady. Both done exceptional well for themselves given the struggles they must have had. I heard some of the houses there couldn't get house insurance due to the high risk, dunno how true that was, but I am from the Ford Estate (literally the council estate next door) both had similar troubles in the 70s. and 80-'s, it was the time when we all struggled in the Liverpool area whilst being given the 'abandonment' with "managed decline' titles from the government. But I digress, well done the boys.
This came out when I was a youngster who had just joined a reserve army battallion. At that time there were a number of little offices in the Mayfair area of London who were recruiting people with military training to join mercenary armies. But there's no danger. It;s a professional career... To fight in the various little wars by which the Cold war was fought. The 'Mr Churchill ' he mentions was real. But he was not the guy with the cigar and the victory sign in WWII. And he left out some major names. Best to do so.
So many great songs with little to no YT reaction. Like, plenty of reactions to all manner of Kinks songs, but nothing for Strangers, one of the best. Kudos to you for reacting to a bona fide classic from an extraordinary songwriter.
It's not about the Irish also. It's about working class British kids with no future, joining the army as their only chance in life. The Empire was built on the backs of young men and women, none of whom got anything out of it. Oliver Cromwell started the first modern army in the 1640s. Also more commonly known as The New Model Army...... A puritanical fascist force!
This was about the troubles in Ireland ….that was a common term. He was using it to criticize the UK…Protestant vs Catholic in N Ireland..it’s a valid use of a term. ..the history is not hard to find
Actually, in an audio commentary Elvis said that he WAS about to run into the sea before he changed his mind because he didn't want to ruin his brand new shoes.
It is a song about the mercenarey recruiting organisations operating in London during the 1980's. The were offering high paying jobs for ex-servicemen to take part in the nasty little cold war conflicts that were going on then . People who took the bait found they had signed up for a bad time in bad places. I knew a few.
Try "Blame it on Cain" but make sure to use the acapella version found here: th-cam.com/video/B_hVkhLfmkg/w-d-xo.html. The studio version of the song has nothing of the haunting quality of this version.
Oliver's Army refers to Oliver Cromwell and the English Civil War (not Ireland, as some here claim), and it's effect on (cynically) modern times. London being the economic capital: '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' (Mersey Thames and Tyne are rivers that were used as trade routes in England' Knowing that, you can probably work out the meaning of the rest of the lyrics. 'Overrun by the Chinese line'.... Who can argue with that now?
Thank you for reviewing a classic song by Mr. Elvis Costello. Please contact me if you want to improve the quality of what you're doing. I really would love to help you out.
It is a poppy song with a dark subject matter. Colonialism. This is why there is a lot of dress up of people in racist stereotypes throughout the video. I am sorry for the 'N' word and that this song was recommended to you. I think Elvis Costello regretted putting it in. I don't think he sings it anymore. White "N!***" means Irish. There is a lot of history of hate between the English and Irish. It is a loaded song about imperialism. At the end he is being served a drink by a girl who looks like she is from Tahiti. Being that if you are a poor person in England you can be a rich person in the colonies. Thus continuing to exploit other people (from other lands who have been 'conquered' without being able to challenge power structures. "If you are out of luck or out of work, we can send you to Johannesburg". It is about preying on and exploiting the poor in England to go and exploit other people in other countries. That is also why they are wearing suits whilst in a tropical setting.
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YOU WILL LOVE THIS PLAYLIST!!
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His grandfather, who was Irish, was called a white N by his 'colleagues' in the army. The Oliver of the title is Cromwell.
"Have you got yourself an occupation?" The double meaning seals this as one of the best lyrics ever.
I finally understood your comment
ive been an elvis costello fan for 40 years. what is the double meaning
@@danneumann3274 It can mean either a profession or an occupation performed by military force
@@Nerkin610 A what?
White n word was a derogatory term for an Irish catholic, not Elvis being a racist
Thank you!
Same meaning across the whole spectrum of humankind. Nothing to do with wite or blak.
It's the unreliable narrator device--he's singing in the voice of a racist violent character
Elvis produced the Specials, worked with Allan Toussaint, Jimmy Cliff, The Roots, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, participated in Rock Against Racism.......
@@yournamehere6002 EC is my goat. My previous comment was misconstruable but my meaning is about the fact he is not racist and lives in a new world order of politically correct sycophants. Even before this song or "that incident".
Oliver’s Army is actually about the situation in Ireland, the Oliver in question being Oliver Cromwell, and the army being the British Army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
Thank you for your reaction..
What you say is true, but he is using that as a backdrop for the use of English forces in the 70s and 80s
Oliver Cromwell is from the 17th century not the 1970s.
One of the first records I got when I was about 9 or 10. Took me a long time until I understood what is was all about.
@@paulhollis8879 Metaphor
@@matthawkins8880 Britain…. England doesn’t have its own forces
From Wikipedia: Costello wrote "Oliver's Army" as a comment on the Troubles in Northern Ireland during the 1970s. He was inspired to write the song after seeing British soldiers patrolling the streets of Belfast.[1] He stated, "I made my first trip to Belfast in 1978 and saw mere boys walking around in battle dress with automatic weapons. They were no longer just on the evening news. These snapshot experiences exploded into visions of mercenaries and imperial armies around the world. The song was based on the premise 'they always get a working class boy to do the killing'".[2][3] Costello's family had roots in the Northern Ireland conflict; as his father, Ross McManus, recalled, "'Oliver's Army' is an important track for me.. My grandfather was an Ulster Catholic, and as a child, I lived in an area where bigotry was rife".[4] Costello's Irish grandfather, Pat McManus, had served as a British soldier during World War I and the Easter Rising.[1][5]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver%27s_Army
This is exactly right. Folks need to read up on the Troubles during the 70's in Ireland to understand exactly what this song is about.
As an Irishman Ive always loved this song. Elvis Costello is best Elvis.
This song is about the conflict in Northern Ireland during the 1980's, Whte N...er was a derogatory term used to refer to Irish Catholics during that period.
Yes but EC has now denounced the song.....
@@yummyyum36719 that’s purely because of the backlash lol nothing wrong with him using it in this context
@@soapboxx9664 I am very well aware of the fact that the word has nothing to do with racism in the context he used it in 1978. The problem isn't EC from 1978. The problem is the globalist suck up toady EC is in 2022.
He's hardly biting the hand that feeds him anymore. Rather, he is kissing that hand and saying "please sir...I want some more..." thus evoking a very different Oliver.
@@yummyyum36719 good response
Brilliant lyrics,,,
The n-word was not Elvis being racist, it’s a satirical song about British nationalism written from the point of view of a nationalist.
Very true. This was Elvis "quoting" a person of the imperial mindset to show the moral bankruptcy of that culture.
An Irish friend put it this way:
"The Irish have always been considered to be the n- of Europe."
I have never been personally offended by Costello using the n- word here because I understood how he was using it.
One of the best protest songs ever penned.
@@tdsims1963 just started reading Johnny Rotten's autobiography, where he talks a lot about the prejudice against the Irish. the subtitle is "no irish. no blacks. no dogs." , an actual sign on a local pub. plenty of prejudice to go around. we need brave artists like EC and rotten to speak the truth about our times. love live rock n roll!!
I have heard the phrase as a derogation for the irish but also for liberals
Oliers Army was the army of Cromwell " The First Organised Grenoside " . Look it up before you judge!
The English used to talk of the Irish with that horrible word. Elvis is a wordsmith and songwriting genius. Cheers, Chicago Ray
Someone may of done so but "The English" is a continental distance beyond unreasonable generalisation. I would suggest that maybe 97% of us wouldn't even know what the white N word even means.
cock. If you were older you would understand. The 'Mr Churchill' and his buddies were operating (and recruiting) out of Mayfair. As was Stirling.
written about the biggest bastard who ever walked on Irelands shores and then broadened into the troubles of northern ireland and second class citizens of catholics in the 60s etc. The language is shocking but its how he expressed how they were seen there against the broader world context
It's a term Brit armed forces used for Irish people. Disgusting that anyone ever thought it was acceptable
Love Elvis Costello!
I have only just subscribed, but already glad I did. I love this song, my father was serving in northern Ireland in '77, I was conceived there, and born in Germany. and My father loved this. My passport still says I'm English, go figure....My question is this, how have you not heard these songs before? Olivers Army is over forty years old! I know it never got to number one, but still....
White 'N's is what they called the loyalists in northern Ireland song got to No2 in the UK 1979
I understand this song to be about private armies, mercenaries and Empire. Oliver being Oliver Cromwell who beheaded King Charles 1st of England.
my hilarious period
Just subscribed to Minor Reacts after watching several of your posts. Your reaction to Prince's GET OFF sealed the deal... Lol
I'm impressed w the variety so far. Elvis Costello introduced what was called "nerd rock" because of his glasses and awkward, jerky, spastic moves... Like he was dancing off the beat. I think the term you were searching for was "concept" for the video. The settings kept alternating between the bar and the beach scene. I think the symbolism reflects the contrasts between paradise and everyday living (suits). Even at the beach, they couldn't relax and enjoy the scenery. Costello's music was punk driven, with the angst of youth thrown into the songs. Check out his other breakthrough songs: Radio, Radio!, Pump It Up, Peace Love and Understanding, Watching the Detectives (has a reggae inspired beat).
Whooooaaa. I got here due to an Elvis Costello rabbithole, but I am definitely going to check THAT out!!
2:33
@ 4:50, i think the word you're looking for is 'arrangement'.
Great record. remember it well. He got his break whilst living in Birkenhead, on the Wirral, an area called the North End. A very rough area, same area as the late great Paul O'Grady. Both done exceptional well for themselves given the struggles they must have had. I heard some of the houses there couldn't get house insurance due to the high risk, dunno how true that was, but I am from the Ford Estate (literally the council estate next door) both had similar troubles in the 70s. and 80-'s, it was the time when we all struggled in the Liverpool area whilst being given the 'abandonment' with "managed decline' titles from the government.
But I digress, well done the boys.
It's about empire building, either militarily, or financially. If you can't invade, control the trade and commerce, of a nation.
Here's another sub from an old lady. Nice playlist!
This came out when I was a youngster who had just joined a reserve army battallion. At that time there were a number of little offices in the Mayfair area of London who were recruiting people with military training to join mercenary armies. But there's no danger. It;s a professional career... To fight in the various little wars by which the Cold war was fought. The 'Mr Churchill ' he mentions was real. But he was not the guy with the cigar and the victory sign in WWII. And he left out some major names. Best to do so.
So many great songs with little to no YT reaction. Like, plenty of reactions to all manner of Kinks songs, but nothing for Strangers, one of the best.
Kudos to you for reacting to a bona fide classic from an extraordinary songwriter.
It's also about Berlin and the murder Mile was in Cyprus
About the British army
It's not about the Irish also. It's about working class British kids with no future, joining the army as their only chance in life. The Empire was built on the backs of young men and women, none of whom got anything out of it.
Oliver Cromwell started the first modern army in the 1640s. Also more commonly known as The New Model Army...... A puritanical fascist force!
Nailed it
This was about the troubles in Ireland ….that was a common term. He was using it to criticize the UK…Protestant vs Catholic in N Ireland..it’s a valid use of a term. ..the history is not hard to find
Actually, in an audio commentary Elvis said that he WAS about to run into the sea before he changed his mind because he didn't want to ruin his brand new shoes.
Lamarius, the word you were grasping for but couldn’t recall was ‘juxtaposition’.
About Northern Ireland...with Phil Spector 'wall of sound.'.
Great Choice for a Review! - subbed and...KEEP WORKING!
Bababa baby boomers. Elvis is God!
Love the ode to Phil Spector at the end ... it was intended
Surprise somebody listened to a song other than watching the detectives or Pump It Up. Maybe one day somebody will listen to ship building
When you paused that.... my heart dropped/
You have to do Elvis Costello 'Watching The Detectives."
Filing her nails while thier dragging the lake!
It is a song about the mercenarey recruiting organisations operating in London during the 1980's. The were offering high paying jobs for ex-servicemen to take part in the nasty little cold war conflicts that were going on then . People who took the bait found they had signed up for a bad time in bad places. I knew a few.
It's about Ireland and the use of the word n....
Cant wait for my request
Try "Blame it on Cain" but make sure to use the acapella version found here: th-cam.com/video/B_hVkhLfmkg/w-d-xo.html. The studio version of the song has nothing of the haunting quality of this version.
It's not racist
Ambiance, perhaps?
:)
The _PREMISE_ ??
He dont like the war and what it stands for
Army
do you like the blues, try these, r l burnside its bad you know, the levee led zep, are maybe house of the rising sun the animals, enjoy
Oliver's Army refers to Oliver Cromwell and the English Civil War (not Ireland, as some here claim), and it's effect on (cynically) modern times.
London being the economic capital:
'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' (Mersey Thames and Tyne are rivers that were used as trade routes in England'
Knowing that, you can probably work out the meaning of the rest of the lyrics.
'Overrun by the Chinese line'.... Who can argue with that now?
I've seen a lot of empty headed reaction videos. This is another one.
he also responded recently he will not play this live anymore
Sad
This song is about fascism.
Your pronunciation of "Elvis Costello" was close. Only it's not "Elvis Costello", it's "Elvis Costello".
Always recruit the young out of work etc forget 2 mention in the small print u may die I guess America exactly the same cheers
You could easily get the totally wrong message from this song but you need to listen not hear it
You'd need to understand the nuances of the British class to understand the N word, in this context, is not Elvis being racist
Well it's all about being poor and skint if u can breath u will worck
Bless ya lad but you have absolutly no idea what this is about, clues in the title, listen the lyrics, boy! do some research :)
This guy is so inarticulate. Why am I watching?
The "N" word was a derogatory word used by some ignorant British soldiers to offensively describe some Irish people. I do not condone it.
How stunning and brave of you 🙄
Thank you for reviewing a classic song by Mr. Elvis Costello. Please contact me if you want to improve the quality of what you're doing. I really would love to help you out.
It is a poppy song with a dark subject matter. Colonialism. This is why there is a lot of dress up of people in racist stereotypes throughout the video. I am sorry for the 'N' word and that this song was recommended to you. I think Elvis Costello regretted putting it in. I don't think he sings it anymore. White "N!***" means Irish. There is a lot of history of hate between the English and Irish. It is a loaded song about imperialism.
At the end he is being served a drink by a girl who looks like she is from Tahiti. Being that if you are a poor person in England you can be a rich person in the colonies. Thus continuing to exploit other people (from other lands who have been 'conquered' without being able to challenge power structures.
"If you are out of luck or out of work, we can send you to Johannesburg". It is about preying on and exploiting the poor in England to go and exploit other people in other countries.
That is also why they are wearing suits whilst in a tropical setting.