This was supposed to be an anti-war song about Northern Ireland using the metaphor of Oliver Cromwell's army [the first professional army in British history]. His point was that poor soldier's from Britain were being used as slaves to fight all over the world on behalf of the British Empire.
My man knows this, but thinks he'll get likes and shit, for his shitty reaction. Last time I looked, he got 63. Cos he's a moron, and we all know he's a moron. Rage bait, failed.
First, been enjoying your reactions Second, yes, you're in at the deep end. Costello has always been a very political, confrontational at times, left wing artist who vehemently opposed the Thatcher era and apartheid regime in South Africa This song is about the centuries long practice of sending young, working-class English men to fight colonial wars, from Ireland to Palestine to South Africa whether as soldiers or latterly as mercenaries Oliver's Army refers to Oliver Cromwell, who both modernised the British Army and was responsible for brutal treatment of the Irish White n***r was a slur term for the Irish at a time when signs in pubs and hotels and newspaper ads in 70s England infamously said "No blacks, no dogs, no Irish", and Costello of Irish heritage would be all too aware So he was calling out colonialism and racism, wrapping up a very strong message in a pop song that had huge airplay Thankfully now those slurs are no longer common on TV or in pubs, so can understand why he sees no need to perform the song, but we can sadly also witness many of these global issues are still very topical
First rate explanation, pretty much covers it all. I recall this song playing on the radio a lot as it charted quite well in New Zealand when I was in my early teens; around this time in English class I also read the novel 'Across the Barricades' about the Irish Troubles. Several other Costello songs had a lot of radio airplay in NZ, including Watching the Detectives, Alison, Every Day I Write the Book. ❤
I’m going to see him for the squillionth time next month and he’s from my home town. Oliver’s Army was a protest song about the troubles in Northern Ireland. It sounds like a jolly little song but the lyrics were challenging even back then and referred to how different Irish factions saw one another. It really is being chucked in at the deep end to listen to such a political song like this first. As others have suggested, Watching the Detectives is awesome. And don’t worry, Mr Costello is actively anti racist.
It's a anti-war song. Oliver's Army was joining the British Army (it's profession, a career). The song is about the British troops being sent all over the world to uphold the British Empire. The point of the song that all they ever seemed to achieve is more widows and more dead soldiers (cannon fodder ... except he used a slur to describe them)
As others have said it was a slur against the Irish and an anti-war song. Elvis was and is a fantastic talent and absolutely incredible songwriter. Do more of him!
You are obviously an intelligent guy and you realised that context is needed. I would also add that intention is also important, White n-word has been used in the past as a derogatory term for various (white) immigrants in the USA and also for Irish Catholics during the Northern Ireland troubles which is probably what he's referring to here in an ironic fashion. Yes, it's probably a poor choice on reflection and EC has acknowledged that. Also bear in mind that this was written 45 years ago! Most artists lyrics are not to be taken literally, which is not excusing those who deliberately set out to offend but I think that is a small minority. I hope you take this as it is intended, an honest attempt to explain what's going on here and not to excuse racist insults (which I don't believe is the intention here). For another challenging listen (also from 1979), I suggest trying 'White Noise' by Stiff Little Fingers, an incredibly powerful anti-racist song but from the racists perspective until resolved in the final verse! It's also about the troubles in Northern Ireland but by an Irish band growing up there. Cheers
Someone else you might enjoy from the same era who is controversial; Ian Dury and the Blockheads. He has a great song called Spasticus Autisticus (I am Autistic) which was performed at the opening of the 2012 paralympics.
Ignorance is stupid in 2024 with the amount of information online. Because Wikipedia is a free, non-profit website and app. Search songs, artists, history, film, culture, politics, & everything.
Don't know who suggested this one as your first foray into Elvis Costello, but you really have to listen to "Watch'n the Detectives." That is his best song bar none.
Yes he dropped the n word but after the word white. Maybe you should look up Oliver's army meaning. Try his hit she. It's more gentle less controversy. Was used st the end of Notting hill with hugh grant snd julia roberts.
@@NessieT well, I know about: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Caruso…they’re before my time. I’ve heard of Winston Churchill. Abe Lincoln, Enoch Powell, Leadbelly, Mussolini, The French Revolution, Mae West, Jimmy Hoffa, Jesse Owens, King Solomon, FDR, Alexander The Great, Davy Crockett, Dion, Joe McCarthy, John Adams … they were “before my time”. But, I can read. ..I have the Internet … and Wikipedia (free tool) plus I’m curious.
Intent of the Lyric @ 1979: You need to understand that times were very different. Within UK culture at the time, it was probably universally understood that black people were not traditionally part of UK culture, given there are no indigenous black people from the UK. This is just a simple statement of fact. The 'N' word was a word imported to the UK from the USA - and I'm not 100% sure that the racial slur/insult intended from the USA was associated with its use in colloquial English in the UK at that time. Rather, I think people just heard the N word and almost naively applied it to black people in the UK without necessarily understanding the true intent /depth of hate as is currently implied. In the above context - I sincerely believe Elvis and Costello used the term 'White 'N' to equate the status of Irish people to black people within broader UK society at that time. Ultimately the song has nothing to do with black people - and so you need not read any further in to the songs lyrics!
"The 'N' word was a word imported to the UK from the USA - and I'm not 100% sure that the racial slur/insult intended from the USA was associated with its use in colloquial English in the UK at that time." It was around on the British Isles for far longer than America has even existed, the Romans brought it here. It is derived from ancient Latin, it literally just means the colour black and originally had no offensive context at all. Languages around the world still use it and its derivatives to this day. Its use as a sneering insult rather than a descriptor was indeed an American thing though, it was first recorded as such in a book of poems that came out around the time of the American Revolution if I'm remembering correctly. It has been a few years since I went digging into the history though, it may have been Civil War era.
@@BunniMonster No, it doesn't even have anything to do with "black" - it's not even a Sanskrit word (though the same sound does exist in Sanskrit) - it's an onomaotopoeic mouth noise. I'm not going to waste my time elaborating on that, it's like explaining that pigs don't fly - if you are a human, not a human, you know what "words"/"noises" like that really mean just by hearing them.
The 70s-80s were different times you could say things that even as a person who is black, you can't say do think😂😂😂😂 but we had fun even when life was kicking you in the teeth 😂😂😂
Costello traveled to Northern Ireland and saw the British troops patrolling Belfast. That’s who “Oliver’s Army” is. The songs a condemnation of war, including the fact it is the poor who are persuaded to join up and go fight them. It’s not a racist song: white N is the label British troops had been encouraged to apply to the people of Northern Ireland. And yeah, you have been thrown into the deep end of history with this one.
Appreciate all the thorough explanations, not so much the judgement for a black kid for being taken aback by hearing the N-word. Yes, there's info and research and all that but in the immediate, it's called a REACTION.
I mean I'm old (52) and things change in their meaning. There's arguably a lot of crass language in that song, I think it may have been the point, stop you in the tracks stuff. But focusing on the N word I find hard! There's huge amounts to unpick in that song. If saying a rude word stops you in your tracks... And it wasn't meant as an offence. The Irish were seen "as good as" black people, by some, 50 years ago. He was literally calling it out. The N word is well used in my opinion.
If you're going to take offence at by truly brilliant artists making political statements, then you'd better not listen to Rhodesia by Japan, from same era.
Its obvious to me that you haven't got a proper grasp on the English language or the ability or education to attempt to make valid attempt to understand the lyrics or intent of the song you are missing everthing
White-N was a derogatory slur used against Northern Ireland people back then.
This was supposed to be an anti-war song about Northern Ireland using the metaphor of Oliver Cromwell's army [the first professional army in British history]. His point was that poor soldier's from Britain were being used as slaves to fight all over the world on behalf of the British Empire.
My man knows this, but thinks he'll get likes and shit, for his shitty reaction.
Last time I looked, he got 63.
Cos he's a moron, and we all know he's a moron.
Rage bait, failed.
First, been enjoying your reactions
Second, yes, you're in at the deep end. Costello has always been a very political, confrontational at times, left wing artist who vehemently opposed the Thatcher era and apartheid regime in South Africa
This song is about the centuries long practice of sending young, working-class English men to fight colonial wars, from Ireland to Palestine to South Africa whether as soldiers or latterly as mercenaries
Oliver's Army refers to Oliver Cromwell, who both modernised the British Army and was responsible for brutal treatment of the Irish
White n***r was a slur term for the Irish at a time when signs in pubs and hotels and newspaper ads in 70s England infamously said "No blacks, no dogs, no Irish", and Costello of Irish heritage would be all too aware
So he was calling out colonialism and racism, wrapping up a very strong message in a pop song that had huge airplay
Thankfully now those slurs are no longer common on TV or in pubs, so can understand why he sees no need to perform the song, but we can sadly also witness many of these global issues are still very topical
Very well explained and informative for the younger generations.
First rate explanation, pretty much covers it all. I recall this song playing on the radio a lot as it charted quite well in New Zealand when I was in my early teens; around this time in English class I also read the novel 'Across the Barricades' about the Irish Troubles. Several other Costello songs had a lot of radio airplay in NZ, including Watching the Detectives, Alison, Every Day I Write the Book. ❤
@@richardhall800 oddly enough Cromwell introduced cabbage to Ireland, his model army's favourite vegetable, now one of Ireland favourite too 🤭
I’m going to see him for the squillionth time next month and he’s from my home town.
Oliver’s Army was a protest song about the troubles in Northern Ireland. It sounds like a jolly little song but the lyrics were challenging even back then and referred to how different Irish factions saw one another.
It really is being chucked in at the deep end to listen to such a political song like this first. As others have suggested, Watching the Detectives is awesome. And don’t worry, Mr Costello is actively anti racist.
It's a anti-war song. Oliver's Army was joining the British Army (it's profession, a career). The song is about the British troops being sent all over the world to uphold the British Empire. The point of the song that all they ever seemed to achieve is more widows and more dead soldiers (cannon fodder ... except he used a slur to describe them)
As others have said it was a slur against the Irish and an anti-war song.
Elvis was and is a fantastic talent and absolutely incredible songwriter. Do more of him!
OF course he was a blue eye blonde
@@onlythewise1 Elvis Costello is not a blue-eyed blonde. What are you talking about?
@@lauraallen55 Elvis Presley
@@onlythewise1 I was talking about Elvis Costello. You know - the person he reacted to?
@@onlythewise1 Why bring him up at all when he isn't who I was talking about?
And what do you mean by 'OF course he was a blue eye blonde' anyway?
You are obviously an intelligent guy and you realised that context is needed. I would also add that intention is also important, White n-word has been used in the past as a derogatory term for various (white) immigrants in the USA and also for Irish Catholics during the Northern Ireland troubles which is probably what he's referring to here in an ironic fashion. Yes, it's probably a poor choice on reflection and EC has acknowledged that. Also bear in mind that this was written 45 years ago!
Most artists lyrics are not to be taken literally, which is not excusing those who deliberately set out to offend but I think that is a small minority. I hope you take this as it is intended, an honest attempt to explain what's going on here and not to excuse racist insults (which I don't believe is the intention here).
For another challenging listen (also from 1979), I suggest trying 'White Noise' by Stiff Little Fingers, an incredibly powerful anti-racist song but from the racists perspective until resolved in the final verse! It's also about the troubles in Northern Ireland but by an Irish band growing up there. Cheers
"White n" is a slur used by the British army to refer to Irish Catholics whom they killed indiscriminately.
EC wrote the song when people could actually listen
lol. who doesn't know who Elvis Costello is? omg
Where have you been, never heard of Elvis Costello!!!!!
Oliver's Army is his best track
Someone else you might enjoy from the same era who is controversial; Ian Dury and the Blockheads. He has a great song called Spasticus Autisticus (I am Autistic) which was performed at the opening of the 2012 paralympics.
Ignorance is stupid in 2024 with the amount of information online.
Because Wikipedia is a free, non-profit website and app. Search songs, artists, history, film, culture, politics, & everything.
The problem is that people don't know what they don't know. It's a fundamental flaw of cognition and awareness.
Don't know who suggested this one as your first foray into Elvis Costello, but you really have to listen to "Watch'n the Detectives." That is his best song bar none.
Yes he dropped the n word but after the word white.
Maybe you should look up Oliver's army meaning.
Try his hit she.
It's more gentle less controversy.
Was used st the end of Notting hill with hugh grant snd julia roberts.
Elvis Costello racist, don’t be ridiculous! It’s no surprise you’ve not heard of him because he’s before your time.
@@NessieT well, I know about: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Caruso…they’re before my time. I’ve heard of Winston Churchill. Abe Lincoln, Enoch Powell, Leadbelly, Mussolini, The French Revolution, Mae West, Jimmy Hoffa, Jesse Owens, King Solomon, FDR, Alexander The Great, Davy Crockett, Dion, Joe McCarthy, John Adams … they were “before my time”. But, I can read. ..I have the Internet … and Wikipedia (free tool) plus I’m curious.
❤
I keep trying to type the right words to say to you .. more research on the times and context of this song is needed for you
✌️🏵️💞✌️✌️✌️
Intent of the Lyric @ 1979: You need to understand that times were very different. Within UK culture at the time, it was probably universally understood that black people were not traditionally part of UK culture, given there are no indigenous black people from the UK. This is just a simple statement of fact.
The 'N' word was a word imported to the UK from the USA - and I'm not 100% sure that the racial slur/insult intended from the USA was associated with its use in colloquial English in the UK at that time. Rather, I think people just heard the N word and almost naively applied it to black people in the UK without necessarily understanding the true intent /depth of hate as is currently implied.
In the above context - I sincerely believe Elvis and Costello used the term 'White 'N' to equate the status of Irish people to black people within broader UK society at that time. Ultimately the song has nothing to do with black people - and so you need not read any further in to the songs lyrics!
"The 'N' word was a word imported to the UK from the USA - and I'm not 100% sure that the racial slur/insult intended from the USA was associated with its use in colloquial English in the UK at that time."
It was around on the British Isles for far longer than America has even existed, the Romans brought it here. It is derived from ancient Latin, it literally just means the colour black and originally had no offensive context at all. Languages around the world still use it and its derivatives to this day. Its use as a sneering insult rather than a descriptor was indeed an American thing though, it was first recorded as such in a book of poems that came out around the time of the American Revolution if I'm remembering correctly. It has been a few years since I went digging into the history though, it may have been Civil War era.
@@BunniMonster No, it doesn't even have anything to do with "black" - it's not even a Sanskrit word (though the same sound does exist in Sanskrit) - it's an onomaotopoeic mouth noise. I'm not going to waste my time elaborating on that, it's like explaining that pigs don't fly - if you are a human, not a human, you know what "words"/"noises" like that really mean just by hearing them.
@@trashandcheese3636
Take your meds.
Omg the knowledge of young ones now Jesus goggle
The 70s-80s were different times you could say things that even as a person who is black, you can't say do think😂😂😂😂 but we had fun even when life was kicking you in the teeth 😂😂😂
Ireland, its all about...
Costello traveled to Northern Ireland and saw the British troops patrolling Belfast. That’s who “Oliver’s Army” is. The songs a condemnation of war, including the fact it is the poor who are persuaded to join up and go fight them. It’s not a racist song: white N is the label British troops had been encouraged to apply to the people of Northern Ireland.
And yeah, you have been thrown into the deep end of history with this one.
You made a ten minute video about you not knowing anything in context of this song. That’s a good start, now tell us something we don’t know.
Appreciate all the thorough explanations, not so much the judgement for a black kid for being taken aback by hearing the N-word. Yes, there's info and research and all that but in the immediate, it's called a REACTION.
it is about a war-why don't you read about this song and history
I mean I'm old (52) and things change in their meaning. There's arguably a lot of crass language in that song, I think it may have been the point, stop you in the tracks stuff. But focusing on the N word I find hard! There's huge amounts to unpick in that song. If saying a rude word stops you in your tracks... And it wasn't meant as an offence. The Irish were seen "as good as" black people, by some, 50 years ago. He was literally calling it out. The N word is well used in my opinion.
There’s only one Elvis
That’s Mr Presley 👑
If you're going to take offence at by truly brilliant artists making political statements, then you'd better not listen to Rhodesia by Japan, from same era.
Would be great if the person doing this video could actual spell properly..... check the tittle omg
Its obvious to me that you haven't got a proper grasp on the English language
or the ability
or education to attempt to make valid attempt to understand the lyrics or intent of the song
you are missing everthing
Black people say to each other.so when a white people say it .people kick off when say it So it not rascit at all . If black people say it