Chumbawamba

I wish
I wish
But it's all in vain
But it's all in vain

I wish
I wish
But it's all in vain
But it's all in vain

I wish
I wish
But it's all in vain
But it's all in vain

Different colours, different faces
Different schools in different places
Scour the morning papers, all in vain

Evening after, who remembers?
Say your prayers for the great pretenders
I see nothing but flowers, all in vain

I wish
I wish
But it's all in vain
But it's all in vain

I wish
I wish
But it's all in vain
But it's all in vain

All the gravestone elegies
I-never-met-you memories
And every TV picture, all in vain

All your questions, deep as skin
Seperate worlds to put them in
Another might-have-been, all in vain

I wish (colour blind as tse-tse flies)
I wish (sucking all our difference dry)
I wish (and as we sleep they multiply)
I wish
I wish (and as we sleep they multiply)
I wish
All in vain
I wish (and as we sleep they multiply)
I wish
All in vain
I wish (and as we sleep they multiply)
Multiply

Anarcho-pop band from Leeds.

Originally formed in the early 1980s as Chimp Eats Banana, Chumbawamba first emerged in the anarchopunk scene which was dominated by bands such a pacifist punks Crass. As Chumbawamba increasingly differed from their peers in outlook and tactics, they began to adopt a new musical style which incorporated elements of folk music, indie rock and hip-hop.

After drifting between labels, their change in direction culminated in signing a record deal with major label EMI, a choice which sparked outrage amongst their former comrades, outrage that culminated in a “Fuck Chumbawamba” compilation. By chance, Chumbawamba’s new work with EMI resulted in an internationally best-selling single, “Tubthumping”, and a sudden rise to fame.

more tracks from the album

Readymades

From the album

Readymades (2002)

Chumbawamba popular songs

All In VainChumbawamba

Chumbawamba

Readymades