Chumbawamba

By building up the means for war, we thus preserve the peace
Such bullshit will prepare us for invasion from the east
And meanwhile, they're carving up the land
The anglo-american military have taken full command
It's keeping us fed we're consuming it all
Fat on its culture and military control
Preparing for war bit by bit
Whilst we're watching its telly and eating its shit
They've got it all worked out and we give our consent
They've got it all worked out and we give our consent
They've got it all worked out and we give our consent
They've got it all worked out for Central America
They've got it all worked out for Africa
By sitting back and keeping silent we give them our consent
Born in the shadow of the USA
Taught the fundamental bullshit every day
Force fed on a diet of Great British lies
Media distortions censor our minds
Passive spectators of royalty
Too diverted to care if we're free
ICI, BP, Thorn EMI
Red, white, and blue logos, British pride
With a Big Mac in one hand and a Coke at our sides
We've accepted their culture and swallowed their lies
They've put up more fences, watched us and spied
And cleverly told us they've got nothing to hide
For too long we've watched them preparing for battle
But the fightback is started little by little
Kicking at the midst of passive defense
Refusing cruise means tearing down fences
At Greenham and Molesworth, fences you can see
But then there's all the barriers that are built around me
Political, economic, cultural, social
And people who live in glass houses
Shouldn't encourage others to throw stones
Let the glossy shop fronts know what to expect
And colonel Sanders, you're next

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

We Are the World?

From the album

We Are the World? (1986)

Chumbawamba popular songs

InvasionChumbawamba

Chumbawamba

We Are the World?