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Men at Work — It's a Mistake
Album: Super Hits
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 255









Released: 1985
Length: 4:25
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Lyrics:

Jump down the shelters to get away
The boys are cockin' 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 as died away
And all the boys have had their fun
No surface noise now, not much to say
They've 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 favorite 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
Posted 4 months ago by Sofa_King    [ Reply ]
 jjbix wrote:
It was sort of cute 15 years ago . . . now it's just trite.
 
15 years ago?  Try 25 years ago...  Crap, I'm getting old.

Posted 15 years ago by TravelRat    [ Reply ]
We were pummeled with this song on the radio in the 80s.  Some MaW stuff isn't bad, but this...eh...  {#No}
Posted 15 years ago by TravelRat    [ Reply ]
 More_Cowbell wrote:
It was a mistake to upload this song to RP.
 
Hey! I resemble that remark.
Offense taken! {#Mrgreen}
Posted 15 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 chirpie wrote:
I like the content of the song, (lyrics) but the actual execution of it is very of it's time. My guess is if you weren't there the first time around it might not appeal to much to a person just hearing it now.

 
I still like it.

Posted 15 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
I like the content of the song, (lyrics) but the actual execution of it is very of it's time. My guess is if you weren't there the first time around it might not appeal to much to a person just hearing it now.

Posted 15 years ago by chirpie    [ Reply ]
andrewimft wrote:
Considering it's a timeless song about a nuclear accident by great musicians I'd say it transcends the oldie genre into aomething more special, as are a good CD's worth of their smart tuneful songs.
Great musicians had a nuclear accident? I totally missed that one in the papers. Please give details.
Posted 15 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
andrewimft wrote:
Considering it's a timeless song about a nuclear accident by great musicians I'd say it transcends the oldie genre into aomething more special, as are a good CD's worth of their smart tuneful songs.
Brilliant!
Posted 15 years ago by Helchat    [ Reply ]
YUK, please make it stop
Posted 15 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
I always loved this song... always made me a little sad though... I wish so many people could come out and say those three little words...
Posted 15 years ago by Helchat    [ Reply ]
Colin Hays and the Men at Work gang...great song writing and brings back fond memories. These will always be timeless classics in my book. Trite...never!
Posted 15 years ago by newyorkone    [ Reply ]
I don't think this one aged very well. Other Men at Work songs will be great forever, but this one is nothing special.
Posted 15 years ago by realsleep    [ Reply ]
jjbix wrote:
It was sort of cute 15 years ago . . . now it's just trite.
Considering it's a timeless song about a nuclear accident by great musicians I'd say it transcends the oldie genre into aomething more special, as are a good CD's worth of their smart tuneful songs.
Posted 16 years ago by andrewimft    [ Reply ]
It was sort of cute 15 years ago . . . now it's just trite. breakloose wrote:
Men at Work... Another great Aussie export to the world!
Posted 16 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
Men at Work... Another great Aussie export to the world!
Posted 16 years ago by breakloose    [ Reply ]
It was a mistake to upload this song to RP.
Posted 16 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
All Colin. I gotta think there's about 4 or 5 guys thanking God every royalty check day for having been the spare part in the right place at the right time.
Posted 16 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
steve_san_carlos wrote:
Right now I'm doing yard work with RP streaming from my WM5 PDA into my garage stereo system. But I had to run in to give my opinion on this M.A.W. song. It is unbelievably barfo sucko. Send this P.O.S. song and band back to the oblivion heap where it belongs!
Go back to raking your leaves in the backyard. We like you better out there (as does your spouse)!
Posted 16 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
For you youngsters who didn't catch the 80s: this is as good as pop got back then. I'm not taking this song too far, I mean its still pop, but sure does bring back a few memories.
Posted 16 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this song in ages. This is amazing.
Posted 16 years ago by Drunkenlilacwine    [ Reply ]
Right now I'm doing yard work with RP streaming from my WM5 PDA into my garage stereo system. But I had to run in to give my opinion on this M.A.W. song. It is unbelievably barfo sucko. Send this P.O.S. song and band back to the oblivion heap where it belongs!
Posted 16 years ago by steve_san_carlos    [ Reply ]
now that you mention it....i think it IS Summer's Day!!!! ChrisInCT wrote:
guess its a mistake by you!
Posted 16 years ago by ChrisInCT    [ Reply ]
Simply transporting. Backward in time, with great feeling. Warm smiles here...
Posted 16 years ago by cochlear    [ Reply ]
Nothing but great warmth and sound out of this one. One of the best from one of the actual good bands to come out of the Eighties.
Posted 16 years ago by snowcat    [ Reply ]
I remember going to see them at the Greek Theater with Mental As Anything. Ah, youth...
Posted 16 years ago by tinybubbles    [ Reply ]
there's something about MAW tunes that always just put me in a good mood. Could be that "Cargo" was one of the first cassettes I ever owned, think it was #2 after The Police, 'Ghost In The Machine'.
Posted 16 years ago by killahfunkadelic    [ Reply ]
They so rocked this out on Solid Gold. 9 year old me was very psyched. 10. Still one of my faves.
Posted 17 years ago by supergroverx    [ Reply ]
Faulplz wrote:
Ditto! Total blast from the past! And so nice to hear something besides "Land Down Under" which is what all the nostalgia stations play. (Strange - I notice "Be Good Johnny" is also in the playlist but it has never been played. Too bad. It's one of my favorites from them.)
This is my favorite from these guys. I think from the same album "Cargo"? are songs called "Blue For You" and "Overkill". Decent songs. Not earth shattering, but still good. Men At Work on the playlist is just another reason I love RP and it's creators. It's diverse up in here!
Posted 17 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
wildhaire wrote:
Wow, this takes me back to junior high school days! Such an under-appreciated band.
Ditto! Total blast from the past! And so nice to hear something besides "Land Down Under" which is what all the nostalgia stations play. (Strange - I notice "Be Good Johnny" is also in the playlist but it has never been played. Too bad. It's one of my favorites from them.)
Posted 17 years ago by Faulplz    [ Reply ]
wildhaire wrote:
Wow, this takes me back to junior high school days! Such an under-appreciated band.
Junior year in high school for me! This was always one of my favorites!
Posted 17 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Saw these guys in concert in the mid 80's. One of the most boring groups ever! The same effect could have been had by placing 5 mannequins on stage. The only group more comatose was the Cars!
Posted 17 years ago by Walrus_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
donpdonp wrote:
for as long as ive known this song, i thought the lyric was "its summer's day"
guess its a mistake by you!
Posted 17 years ago by ChrisInCT    [ Reply ]
Now that was fun!
Posted 17 years ago by Land_Shark    [ Reply ]
for as long as ive known this song, i thought the lyric was "its summer's day"
Posted 17 years ago by donpdonp    [ Reply ]
electronicshaman wrote:
the beginning of this track sounds a lot like talking heads
Burning Down the House?
Posted 17 years ago by drtjdel    [ Reply ]
the beginning of this track sounds a lot like talking heads
Posted 17 years ago by electronicshaman    [ Reply ]
Hey I am a man at work. On a Sunday night ... Waiting for the coffee to brew.
Posted 17 years ago by ElSupreme    [ Reply ]
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
Does he have a lazy eye or glass eye (like Sammy Davis Jr.)?
I believe it is a lazy eye, and I also believe I heard Colin say that the record company he started is called Lazy Eye Records. At least he has a good sense of humor!
Posted 17 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
Influenced by Wings?
Posted 17 years ago by sans    [ Reply ]
Even if the nostalgia wore off (it hasn't), the fine songwriting and bittersweet vibe of MAW would make for worthwhile, timeless musicianship.
Posted 17 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Wow, this takes me back to junior high school days! Such an under-appreciated band.
Posted 17 years ago by wildhaire    [ Reply ]
It's definitely a mistake..
Posted 17 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
samiyam wrote:
Big compliments to RP for playing a song which should have gotten more attention when it came out. Too bad these guys imploded.
I'm in your corner. I always liked this tune, and agree that it has been underappreciated. Sorry for you folks that don't see the merit of it. Just because it's poppy, in a reggae framework, doesn't necessarily detract from it, IMHO. It's also a great anti-war song. How timely...
Posted 17 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
i don't get the fascination rp has for these guys. they suck.
Posted 17 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
re the title: It certainly is. Pop dreck, sorry.
I completely agree, I never liked these guys, or this song
Posted 17 years ago by meower    [ Reply ]
Big compliments to RP for playing a song which should have gotten more attention when it came out. Too bad these guys imploded.
Posted 17 years ago by samiyam    [ Reply ]
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
Does he have a lazy eye or glass eye (like Sammy Davis Jr.)?
He created a record company called Lazy Eye, I know that much. Seriously.
Posted 17 years ago by laprincessa    [ Reply ]
Veritas wrote:
It is indeed Colin Hay, off Men at Work's second album Cargo.
Does he have a lazy eye or glass eye (like Sammy Davis Jr.)?
Posted 17 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
Oh man, this song brings back some fuuuuun memories! Thanks Bill.
Posted 17 years ago by laprincessa    [ Reply ]
re the title: It certainly is. Pop dreck, sorry.
Posted 19 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
treehugger wrote:
I like this. I quite can't place the vocals but it sounds reminicent of the Colin Hay material you've been playing lately.
It is indeed Colin Hay, off Men at Work's second album Cargo.
Posted 19 years ago by Veritas    [ Reply ]
treehugger wrote:
I like this. I quite can't place the vocals but it sounds reminicent of the Colin Hay material you've been playing lately.
That's because Colin Hay was the lead singer for Men At Work.
Posted 19 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
I like this. I quite can't place the vocals but it sounds reminicent of the Colin Hay material you've been playing lately.
Posted 19 years ago by treehugger    [ Reply ]