On this day August 29 1986, In the Army Now by Status Quo was released. As the band’s seventeenth studio album, it marked a significant shift in their sound with the addition of keyboards and a more polished production style suited to the mid 80s music landscape.
The album’s title track, a cover of a 1982 song by Dutch duo Bolland and Bolland, became a massive hit and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The track stood out for its slower tempo, militaristic theme, and anthemic chorus that gave Status Quo one of their biggest chart successes of the decade.
Other tracks like Rollin Home and Red Sky maintained the band’s rock roots but showed a more radio friendly approach. In the Army Now helped introduce Status Quo to a younger audience while still pleasing longtime fans.
80s insight: In the Army Now became one of the few Status Quo tracks to find major international success in the 80s, helping extend the band’s relevance into a new era of rock.
The album’s title track, a cover of a 1982 song by Dutch duo Bolland and Bolland, became a massive hit and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The track stood out for its slower tempo, militaristic theme, and anthemic chorus that gave Status Quo one of their biggest chart successes of the decade.
Other tracks like Rollin Home and Red Sky maintained the band’s rock roots but showed a more radio friendly approach. In the Army Now helped introduce Status Quo to a younger audience while still pleasing longtime fans.
80s insight: In the Army Now became one of the few Status Quo tracks to find major international success in the 80s, helping extend the band’s relevance into a new era of rock.
