This is a song by Men at Work, and it is said to be written about war (specifically Cold War) tensions and the lust for power and the fear mongering of the era. It paints a beautifully terrible picture about how humans act so impulsively when given power, and how we tend to assume that everything can be made right afterwards.
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!...
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!...
