Who Did It Better? You're In The Army Now

Who Did It Better? 

You're In The Army Now

You're In The Army Now was written by the South African-born Dutch duo Bolland & Bolland. 

Brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland, who have made a career as songwriters and producers, are responsible for such hits as Falco's Rock Me Amadeus, and Samantha Fox's Love House.

Released as a single (as 'Bolland') in 1982, from the duo's album The Domino Theory, You're In The Army Now spent six consecutive weeks at #1 on the Norwegian singles chart. It also went to #1 in Finland, #2 in Sweden and #9 in South Africa.

In 1986, well-established rockers Status Quo covered the song releasing it as a single from their similarly titled album. Their version became an international smash, peaking at #2 in the UK. In addition it went #1 in West Germany, Switzerland, Iceland, Ireland and Austria, #2 in France, Norway and Spain, #3 in Portugal, #6 in Sweden, #11 in the Netherlands, #15 in Belium, and #20 in Finland.

Status Quo would revisit the song in September 2010, when they released a new version of the song with the Corps of Army Choir through their label Universal/UMC as a special release. However, the lyrics were changed from a rather critical stance to a pro-soldier one. All the profits from this updated version were donated to two charities: the British Forces Foundation and Help For Heroes. It managed to re-chart in the UK, at #31.

For the purposes of this competition we will concern ourselves with only Status Quo's 1986 version.

And that's the whole story.

Now? On to the competition!

The Song: You're In The Army Now

The Competitors: Bolland & Bolland vs. Status Quo

You're In The Army Now - Bolland &Bolland

You're In The Army Now - Status Quo

Bolland & Bolland

Spooky programmed synths, a bit of organ. Very Halloween. But then they bring a bit of focus to the proceedings with that sharp, jabbing line. 

I remember this sort of righteous synth-driven pop. Peter Gabriel was king. But this is 1982, and Gabriel wouldn't come find huge mainstream success until 1986, so these guys are well ahead of the curve. 

That theremin-sounding synth is a bit much. But this, again, is early in the synth pop genre's history. 

His vocals are serviceable. Nice and strong. Immediate and focused. I wish they'd doubled the vocals on at least the 'woah-woah-woah' part of the chorus. It would give this a bit more dimension. As is, sounds a bit thin. Lively, but not fully-rounded. 

That bass entering at the start of the second verse is a welcome bit substance. As is that chorded keyboard fill. A big drum beat would help nail this. 

The instrumental fill is simply the intro with a few 'la-la-la-lahs' added. Nice. But again... this remains rather fairy dust. They're relying on that programmed synth to provide all the rhythm for this piece and, not only have they mixed it in the middle, but it's also not substantial enough to propel this thing where they wish to go. As is, we're stuck in Korgis-mode. Not bad, considering the era, but... in this day age, I want more bottom. 

And precisely when I write the above, at the 2:20 mark, what appears? The big dramatic drums. Granted, they sound like cardboard, but I am pleased. And then we have the doubled vocals on the chorus bit - so, they are doing everything I wished - albeit a bit later than I would have liked. And I love that chorded keyboard providing that insistent pounding... this now has all the propulsion I'd like.

'Stand up and fight!' Great bit. This is way ahead of its time.

At the 3:08 mark, they change things up considerably. Dropping out quite a bit and working the back beat. Very smart stuff. Surprised Robert Palmer wasn't all over this at the time, as the section that begins at the 3:08 mark is very similar to stuff he was experimenting with at the time. Granted, the song itself is not much - yes, it tells a great story, but melodically it's all of the same repeated pattern and they haven't brought much of anything else to the table. That's alright. This is supposed to be militaristic in nature, so that strictness lends itself to a sort of regimental adherence. 

At the 3:54 mark they sum things up. 

It's a slow build, I guess in order to mirror the soldier's realization of exactly what he's gotten himself (provided it was his choice) into. The days of the draft were behind us by then, but I think their distasteful memory lingers to this day. I'm rather amazed this never made it over stateside - but then, it is way ahead of its time. Plus, at that time, American radio had a bit of fear regarding anything too foreign sounding. 

Great job. This was a game changer. 

Status Quo

It's now 1986, and Peter Gabriel has slowly seeped into the world's consciousness as a beat-driven provocatuer. His Sledgehammer, introduced in April of that year, permanently altered the musical landscape for the next few years. In September, Status Quo - a rather amazing rock band with a long and varied musical history - released their version of this song in August of  1986.

The waste no time. While not necessarily a 'meat and potatoes' sort, the band typically cuts to the heart of any musical trend. That chugging, synth intro is significantly warmed with some basic bar band muscle. And they go big, introducing that stabbing bit of synth dramatics. Lead singer Francis Rossi's vocals are a tinge treated, but he's a solid, strong vocalist anyway, so it's simply a matter of atmospherics and not shoring up someone vocally-challenged. 

This is a much more focused and muscular approach. Surprised they kept that theremin-sounding synth, though. They introduce the bass much earlier. I'm not surprised that this got radio play, as it is very tight, very attention-getting. 

They introduce doubled vocals and (gasp!) harmony earlier, too. Obviously they are interested in audience engagement rather than a long dramatic sprawl. The plucked guitar added gives a nice bit of texture to the piece, though I think they introduce the screaming guitars too early. But then they fade off like a ghost, so... okay. It's a big hint of where I believe this will be going. 

Nice change up after the intro of the big drum beats. An interesting sort of key change, as it adds even more dramatic tension. And now we're driving the regimented beat home. Nice use of the cymbal. 

At the 2:29 mark, we're now where I thought we'd end up. This is rock. Straightforward. This is what this band does best. The 'gotcha' effect they're employing is a bit hoary, but fun. And for the time, fine. 

By the 2:48 mark, I'm not sure where else they can take this. 

The instrumental break is a repeat of the intro/instrumental fill abetted with a stinging guitar solo. It's a smart bit of contrast - the rather mechanical, synth driven vs. the traditional rock 'n roll - something for the pub crawlers to latch onto. 

This has grown and melded quite nicely. It's a bit ghostly-sounding following that guitar solo, while they have now successfully switched gears and made this more of a rock 'n roll number. I also appreciate the giant chorus vocals - it, of course, mimics the idea of a great army marching into battle, while the occasional guitar licks keep it grounded. 

I do think it goes on a bit too long - but then, it's a long story with a wide arc. 

This band has done a marvelous job of bringing the whole thing to life in a condense, concentrated form complete with a bit of old-fashioned rock 'n roll.

The Verdict

Bolland & Bolland may be the innovators - and they do deserve kudos for creating this first...

But this goes to Status Quo. They distilled the piece down into a radio-friendly pub-crawler sing-along. Their inclusion of tradition rock 'n roll instrumentation not only provides muscle, but also helps focus and ground the piece. 

I find it hard to fathom why they would revisit this centuries later and turn it into a pro-military piece, but then... the band's main mission has always been to remain popular, so... a bit of brown-nosing got them back on the charts, I guess. 

But their initial take on the song is spot on. So, they get the nod here, while Bolland & Bolland still get their due for cooking up this unique bit of synth-pop stew.

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And that's enough of me. 

Your turn. Leave your choice and thoughts in the comments section. I always enjoy hearing a differing opinion. 

That's all for now.

Until next time... 

Thanks for reading... and listening!

You're In The Army Now - Bolland &Bolland

You're In The Army Now - Status Quo