MEN AT WORK - IT’S A MISTAKE

Released: June 1983

Charts:  US: #6   UK: #33 

"It's a Mistake" is a song by Men at Work, written by lead singer and guitarist Colin Hay and produced by Peter McIan. Released in June 1983 as the third single from their album "Cargo," it reached number 34 on the Australian charts. In the United States, the song debuted on July 2, 1983, at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later peaked at number 6, marking Men at Work's fourth and final top 10 hit in the country.

This is an anti-war song written during the Cold War era between the United States and the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.). The song explores the fear and uncertainty surrounding a potential nuclear war resulting from the arms buildup between NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries. The lyrics, sung from the perspective of a military officer, reflect on the consequences and decisions that could lead to a catastrophic conflict. References to political figures like US President Ronald Reagan underscore the song's critique of global military tensions and the potential for disastrous outcomes.

The music video presents a satirical narrative depicting the outbreak of war between the Eastern and Western blocs during the Cold War. The video features stop-motion animation of Eagle Force toy soldiers and tanks at the beginning. It then transitions to the band members dressed as children playing soldiers, who are invited into an officer's tent by an American officer where allied officers are seen drinking and partying. 

The video further portrays four adult men—a businessman, a road worker, a war protester, and a doctor—each depicted in their civilian roles. They are shown fading into military uniforms corresponding vaguely to their civilian professions with surprised expressions, suggesting they have been drafted into the military amid the conflict.