In the Army Now (song)

Summarize Timeline Fact Check

In 1986, British rock band Status Quo covered "In the Army Now" on their 1986 album of the same name. Their version added a prominent synth riff and changed the line "Smiling faces on the way to 'Nam" to "Smiling faces as you wait to land", thus removing the explicit reference to the Vietnam War. The version peaked at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart. It reached the top of the charts in German-speaking Europe as well as Ireland, whilst peaking highly in 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 further changed to a pro-soldier version.^[7] This version charted at no. 31 in the UK Singles charts upon its release. All profits from this updated version were donated equally to the British Forces Foundation and Help for Heroes charities.^{[citation needed]}

Track listings

7-inch single

1. "In the Army Now" (Bolland/Bolland) – 3:52
2. "Heartburn" (Patrick/Parfitt/Rossi) – 4:44

12-inch maxi

A1. "In the Army Now" (military mix) – 5:55

B1. "Heartburn" (Patrick/Parfitt/Rossi) – 4:44

B2. "Late Last Night" (Young/Parfitt/Rossi) – 2:58

Charts

More information Chart (1986–1987), Peak position ...

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "In the Army Now" Chart (1986–1987) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 15 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[10] 5 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[2] 20 France (SNEP)[11] 2 Iceland (RÚV)[12] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[13] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[14] 11 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[5] 15 Norway (VG-lista)[15] 2 Portugal (AFP)[16] 3 Spain (AFYVE)[17] 2 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 6 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[20] 2 West Germany (GfK)[21] 1 Chart (2010) Peak position UK Singles (OCC)[22] 31 Chart (2024) Peak position Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[23] 43

Year-end charts 1986 year-end chart performance for "In the Army Now" Chart (1986) Position Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[24] 90 UK Singles (OCC)[25] 24 1987 year-end chart performance for "In the Army Now" Chart (1987) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[26] 11 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[27] 60 France (SNEP)[28] 10 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 25 West Germany (Media Control)[30] 40

Close

The song was adapted for the 2012 musical An Officer and a Gentleman, based on the 1982 film; the title and chorus were changed to "In the Navy Now" to fit the plot.^[33]

Another cover of "In the Army Now" was released by the Swedish power metal band Sabaton, on their 2012 album Carolus Rex and as a stand-alone digital single in 2016.^[34]

• Lists of number-one singles (Austria)
• List of number-one hits of 1986 (Germany)
• List of number-one singles of 1986 (Ireland)
• List of number-one songs in Norway
• List of number-one singles of the 1980s (Switzerland)