Chumbawamba

Released: May 1, 1995

Songwriter: Chumbawamba

Producer: Neil Ferguson Chumbawamba

Part punk, part God almighty
Part fuck you, part Mister X-ray Eyes
I didn't choose to be shouting for a living
It happened
Something snapped and I don't know why
Too many slaps?
Too many priests?
Fumbled sex in parks?
Or just a part of the me, me, me generation
The Thatcher youth
Coming home to roost
If the old school cap fits, wear it
But I'll take my cake and share it
Burning down a bonfire made of teachers
Pay your VAT bills on the cinders
Just you and little Molly Flinders
Doing the twist at all the dances
Don't look to me for answers

(Let's twist again)
Hear them sing
(Let's twist again)
See them sing
(Let's twist again)
(Let's twist again)
Hear them sing
(Let's twist again)
See them sing
(Let's twist again)
Bring on the dancing girls

Part sussed, part amateur
Part love you, part mister bleeding heart
I singalonga, jump uppa-downa
Watch this space
I've got lungs full of this stuff
Two sides together in the commons bar
Just who the fuck do they think they are
I am not a pop star
I'm a part of the class war
Every revolutionary
Is motivated by love
I see the newsreels, two hundred bodies
In a shallow grave in Timor
What am I supposed to do?
Forget it?
Pretend it never happened?
Whilst politicians circle-jerk 'round
Legal jargon totem poles

(Let's twist again)
Hear them sing
(Let's twist again)
See them sing
(Let's twist again)
(Let's twist again)
Hear them sing
(Let's twist again)
See them sing
(Let's twist again)
Bring on the dancing girls

You tell me
Where does entertainment end
And responsibility begin

Oh Salome waits
Oh Salome waits
Oh Salome waits
She says 'bring me all the heads
Of all the heads of state
(Repeat)

(Let's twist again)
Hear them sing
(Let's twist again)
See them sing
(Let's twist again)
(Let's twist again)
Hear them sing
(Let's twist again)
See them sing
(Let's twist again)
Bring on the dancing girls

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

Salome (Let’s Twist Again)Chumbawamba

Chumbawamba

Swingin’ with Raymond