Once upon a time
Days of wine and roses and smug suburban swine
Same old songs, same old cabaret
A fairytale in Notting Hill
Take your partners for the standing still
Once upon a time
Not so happy ending for the Mersey and the Tyne
Who said the story had to end this way?
A fairytale on Beeston Hill
Take your partners for the standing still
Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid...

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.