Stop The Cavalry

Year: 1980

Written By: Jona Lewie

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Jona Lewie wrote the song 'Stop the Cavalry' in 1980. Initially not written as a Christmas song, Jona Lewie said that instead of the song being designed as a Christmas track, it was actually designed as a protest song, however the use of the brass band to give the song a Christmas feeling and the line in the song, 'Wish I was at home for Christmas' helped change the song in to a Christmas release.

The Christmas track makes reference to real life, and actual and accurate history in both World War I and World War II. One way in which it shows this, is through the mentioning of 'Churchill' (Winston Churchill) in the lyrics. During the time of World War I, Churchill held the position of First Lord of the Admiralty and in World War II, Winston Churchill was Prime Minister after taking over from Neville Chamberlain in 1940. The song does move away from the theme of the two World Wars, with reference to nuclear fallout.

Jona Lewie when asked about one line in 'Stop the Cavalry', which was, 'I have had to fight, almost every night, down throughout these centuries', describes that the song's featured soldier is 'a bit like the eternal soldier at the Arc de Triomphe'.

The music video features Lewie in military attire along with others in military uniform. The scene is set in the snow, to help set the song as a Christmas song. While singing, explosions go off in the background, to help paint the image that Lewie is in a war zone. The brass band when shown, are seen playing together round a bombfire. A soldier is also seen 'appearing to die' in the background while Lewie sings.

When released, the song peaked at number three in UK Singles Chart in December 1980. Being kept from the number one spot was partially down to the fact that two re-issued songs by John Lennon were sitting in the top two positions of the chart. The re-issued success John Lennon had come after he had previously been murdered earlier on, on December 8. As well as reaching number three in the UK Singles Chart, 'Stop the Cavalry' also reached number two in the Australian Charts, only being hindered by 'Duncan' by Slim Dusty.