"You're in the Army Now" is a song by the South African-born Dutch duo Bolland & Bolland, released in 1982. The song spent 6 consecutive weeks on the top of the Norwegian singles chart.
A cover by British rock band Status Quo, simplified as "In the Army Now", was internationally successful in 1986.
In 1986, British rock band Status Quo covered "In the Army Now" on their 1986 album of the same name. Their version peaked at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart. It also achieved largest success in German-speaking Europe (when topped all charts, also in Ireland), France, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
In September 2010, Status Quo released a new version of the song with the Corps of Army Choir through their label Universal/UMC as a special release. The lyrics were changed to a pro-war version. All profits from this updated version are donated equally to the British Forces Foundation and Help for Heroes charities. This charted at no. 31 in the UK Singles charts upon its release.
Lyrics
"In The Army Now"
(originally by Bolland & Bolland)
A vacation in a foreign land, Uncle Sam does the best he can You're in the army now, oh-oo-oh you're in the army now Now you remember what the draft man said, nothing to do all day but stay in bed You're in the army now, oh-oo-oh you're in the army now You'll be the hero of the neighbourhood, nobody knows that you've left for good You're in the army now, oh-oo-oh you're in the army now Smiling faces as you wait to land, but once you get there no-one gives a damn You're in the army now, oh-oo-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-oo-oh you're in the army now Shots ring out in the dead of night, the sergeant calls 'Stand up and fight!' You're in the army now, oh-oo-oh you're in the army now You've got your orders better shoot on sight, your finger's on the trigger but it don't seem right You're in the army now, oh-oo-oh you're in the army now You're in the army now, oh-oo-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-oo-oh you're in the army, in the army now You're in the army now, oh-oo-oh you're in the army now Oh-oo-oh you're in the army, in the army now Oh-oo-oh you're in the army, in the army now Oh-oo-oh you're in the army, in the army now