Released: June 1, 1998

Laugh out loud
Laugh out loud
And curse this ground
And curse this ground
Make this world
Make this world
Turn upside down
Turn upside down
Star and sky
Star and sky
Will bleed us dry
Will bleed us dry
You've got all the friends
You've got all the friends
That money can buy
That money can buy
Play this song
Play this song
Everybody sing along
Everybody sing along
One half done
One half done
The best is yet to come
(Repeat)
Sometime soon

Sometime soon
Picking up the tune
Picking up the tune
It's not how loud you sing
It's not how loud you sing
It's what you sing
It's what you sing
Last comes first
Last comes first
Chorus into verse
Chorus into verse
This stolen purse
This stolen purse
The bubble bursts
The bubble bursts
Play this song
Play this song
Everybody sing along
Everybody sing along
One half done
One half done
The best is yet to come
(Repeat)

Chumbawamba

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.