Chumbawamba

Released: June 18, 2002

Songwriter: Chumbawamba

Producer: Chumbawamba

I don't know
I don't know

Chain, chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain, chain

A cut-price empire
Clean-cut lines
A perfect body
And a dirty mind
The rules of this game
Say we all look the same

Chain, chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain, chain

We'll put a spin on it
We'll take a pencil to it
We'll make a virtue
Out of keeping oh so quiet about it

I don't know, and I don't want to know
I don't know, and I don't want to know
I don't know, and I don't want to know
I don't know, and I don't want to know

Chain, chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain, chain

Talk about child's play
Count the birthdays
A stitch in time says
Just look the other way
The rules of this game
Say you don't know her name

Chain, chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain, chain

We'll span a hundred years for it
We'll make a killing out of it
And we'll corner the market
By keeping oh so quiet about it

Working for The Gap (chain, chain, chain, chain)
Sewing up crap
Working for The Gap
Sewing up crap
Working for The Gap (chain, chain, chain, chain)
Sewing up crap
Working for The Gap
Sewing up crap
Working for The Gap (chain, chain, chain, chain)
Sewing up crap
Working for The Gap
Sewing up crap
Working for The Gap (chain, chain, chain, chain)
Sewing up crap
Working for The Gap
Sewing up crap

One up the chimney goes
Two hawks a tray of matches
Three braves the weaving floor
All pray for the life of four
Five down the pit descends
Six plows in fields and meadows
Seven spins the handloom round
Eight lies in the burial ground

One up the chimney goes
Two hawks a tray of matches
Three braves the weaving floor
All pray for the life of four

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

Sewing Up CrapChumbawamba

Chumbawamba

Readymades