Peak
6
Weeks
15
Score
2,660
Chart Year
1983
The video, which had moderate rotation on MTV (as opposed to the band's singles from their Business as Usual album), told a satirical story of the outbreak of a war between the Eastern and Western blocs. The beginning of the video starts with a stop-motion animation of Eagle Force toy soldiers and some tanks. It cuts to the five band members dressed as children playing "soldiers" and being invited into an officer's tent by an American officer, inside of which are many allied officers of various services drinking and partying. The video then shows four adult men who are working as a businessman, a road worker, a war protester, and a doctor. The video then shows each of them fading into a military uniform vaguely corresponding to each of their peacetime professions with a surprised look on their faces, as to imply they were drafted. Then, they are seen walking through a burnt out forest and come across some elderly women, who beat the soldiers with umbrellas. One of the soldiers takes aim but upon realizing what is happening lowers his weapon. The latter half of the video is mostly set in an underground bunker or "War Room" similar to the NORAD facility of Cheyenne Mountain, and the band seemed to engage in a semi-retelling of the 1964 black comedy film Dr. Strangelove. At the end of the video, the officer is nervously tapping his fingers and inadvertently knocks open the protective cover from the nuclear button, which is right next to his ashtray. Then, when he goes to stub out his cigar in the ashtray, he accidentally hits the button instead.
This song was written during the Cold War between the US and Russia (The U.S.S.R.) and is about what would happen if the arms buildup resulted in a nuclear war. The line, "They've gone and grabbed old Ronnie" is a reference to US president Ronald Reagan. >>
Jump down the shelters to get away The boys are cocking up their guns Tell us, general, is it party time? If it is, can we all come? Don't think that we don't know Don't think that we're not trying Don't think we move too slow It's no use after crying Saying it's a mistake It's a mistake It's a mistake It's a mistake After the laughter has died away And all the boys have had their fun No surface noise now, not much to say They got the bad guys on the run Don't try to say you're sorry Don't say he drew his gun They've gone and grabbed old Ronnie He's not the only one Saying it's a mistake It's a mistake It's a mistake It's a mistake Tell us, commander, what do you think? 'Cause we know that you love all that power Is it on then, are we on the brink? We wish you'd all throw in the towel We'll not fade out too soon Not in this finest hour Whistle your favourite tune We'll send a card, and flower Saying it's a mistake It's a mistake It's a mistake It's a mistake It's a mistake (it's a mistake) It's a mistake (it's a mistake) It's a mistake (it's a mistake) It's a mistake (it's a mistake) It's a mistake (it's a mistake) It's a mistake (it's a mistake) It's a mistake (it's a mistake) It's a mistake
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jul 2, 1983 | 42 | 84 |
| 2 | Jul 9, 1983 | 32 | 94 |
| 3 | Jul 16, 1983 | 25 | 101 |
| 4 | Jul 23, 1983 | 20 | 106 |
| 5 | Jul 30, 1983 | 15 | 111 |
| 6 | Aug 6, 1983 | 11 | 115 |
| 7 | Aug 13, 1983 | 8 | 118 |
| 8 | Aug 20, 1983 | 6 | 120 |
| 9 | Aug 27, 1983 | 6 | 120 |
| 10 | Sep 3, 1983 | 8 | 118 |
| 11 | Sep 10, 1983 | 16 | 110 |
| 12 | Sep 17, 1983 | 22 | 104 |
| 13 | Sep 24, 1983 | 38 | 88 |
| 14 | Oct 1, 1983 | 59 | 67 |
| 15 | Oct 8, 1983 | 97 | 29 |