Chumbawamba

Released: May 1, 1995

Songwriter: Chumbawamba

Producer: Neil Ferguson Chumbawamba

Shiny button-down clown suit
Oxymoron
(Repeat)
F**ked up the simplest of chores
Mister constant consternation
And his declaration of war
Makes a fist out of demands
With his plasticene hands
Matey makes a big, big deal
And matey makes a big big meal
Boasts of a conscience so big
It means his uniform won't fit
Cooking books and punching drunks
Working for the real crooks
The good cop
Oxymoron
(Repeat)
I don't believe in the good cop
I don't believe in the good cop
I don't believe

At the ticket inspector's party
Prison guards eye store detectives
All good fighters of crime
Same repeated chat-up line
Are you well tooled up
Come and have a go if you think
You're hard enough
Watch them tighten their straps
Yes sir I switched on the taps
Heads to crack, eyes to black
Bureaucrats will cover your tracks
Here's how your dictatorships begin
Fools obey without thinking
The good cop
Oxymoron
(Repeat)
I don't believe in the good cop
I don't believe in the good cop
I don't believe
(Repeat)

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

Swingin’ with Raymond

From the album

Swingin’ with Raymond (1995)

Chumbawamba popular songs

OxymoronChumbawamba

Chumbawamba

Swingin’ with Raymond