NationStates Jolt Archive

I was in an Indian restaurent yesterday and they were playing 80s music such as 'Don't you want me baby' by The Human League, and 'Wake me up before you go-go' by Wham... completely appropriate to an Indian restaurent that gives you complentary brandy or Bailey's, I know.

Well then, achronologically, they played Tubthumping. I quickly found out that there are various interpretations as to what the song is about... So I was just wondering what people thought the song is about. I haven't put up a poll or my own idea because I don't want to prejudice people's ideas.

If you can't remember what the song is like then the youtube link is below. However, the... uh... canonical interpretation is pretty clear in the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lJIjdajBww

According to Chumbawumba, its about drinking and thats it. Its the only song on that album that is not about a specific issue. Not surpisingly, the single shallow pointless song is the one that people like. *rolls eyes*

Heh, I used to listen to a lot of Chumbawamba, though as of late, I've kind of gotten bored with it. I always found it funny that their most popular song was also probably their least political.

*eyeballs Letila* Well duh... shouldn't you know that? That the masses prefer songs about drinking to political issues and the like is the sign of capitalist opression in that they are successfully placating the proletariat with institutions such as the welfare state. *throws a copy of 'the Prison Notebooks' at Letila*

Anyway, what I was getting from one person, who claimed that his view was widespread, is that the song has connotations about picking oneself up after a setback, and how it is played at American football matches because of that. He even got into talking about 'William the Bruce' at one point.

*eyeballs Letila* Well duh... shouldn't you know that? That the masses prefer songs about drinking to political issues and the like is the sign of capitalist opression in that they are successfully placating the proletariat with institutions such as the welfare state. *throws a copy of 'the Prison Notebooks' at Letila*

Anyway, what I was getting from one person, who claimed that his view was widespread, is that the song has connotations about picking oneself up after a setback, and how it is played at American football matches because of that. He even got into talking about 'William the Bruce' at one point.

yeh, i thought it was about that too. and drinking.

*eyeballs Letila* Well duh... shouldn't you know that? That the masses prefer songs about drinking to political issues and the like is the sign of capitalist opression in that they are successfully placating the proletariat with institutions such as the welfare state. *throws a copy of 'the Prison Notebooks' at Letila*

Anyway, what I was getting from one person, who claimed that his view was widespread, is that the song has connotations about picking oneself up after a setback, and how it is played at American football matches because of that. He even got into talking about 'William the Bruce' at one point.

Err...I'm American, I've never heard it at a football game.

I like that song :D

Err...I'm American, I've never heard it at a football game.Then you're not a true American.

It's about drinking!

Like Homer says!

It's one of the few Chumba songs without a deep meaning. It's about boozing goddamn it! Which is what makes it the best.

Then you're not a true American.

Well, true, I am a Masshole.

I better post in this thread, seeing as the band is my namesake, albeit via Alan Partridge.

I’ve always thought Tubthumping was just a silly drinking song, miles apart from most of Chumbawamba’s (note the ‘a’, folks) other stuff.

I’m quite a fan of their 1994 album, Anarchy, which is much more pop-folky.

And it was amusing when they ambushed John Prescott with a custard pie.

*eyeballs Letila* Well duh... shouldn't you know that? That the masses prefer songs about drinking to political issues...are you sure about that?

Anyway, what I was getting from one person, who claimed that his view was widespread, is that the song has connotations about picking oneself up after a setback, and how it is played at American football matches because of that. The one song that is most definitely about picking oneself up after a (American football) setback.. is stuck on a moment by U2

Perhaps it's a commentary on how alcohol is used by the ruling classes to suppress the workers.



The song was used a few years ago to promote the rugby league here.

Its Tubthumping... its about nothing, just like Tubthumping often ends up being about.

Egghiccup;12612722']Chumbawumba are now happy to serve you in a KFC nearby.

Shit songs, shit make-up and shit idiology.

Right on brother! Middle class "anarchists" making a lot of money. The result of all the sociology degrees that all the thickos did in the 80's.

*eyeballs Letila* Well duh... shouldn't you know that? That the masses prefer songs about drinking to political issues and the like is the sign of capitalist opression in that they are successfully placating the proletariat with institutions such as the welfare state. *throws a copy of 'the Prison Notebooks' at Letila*

Anyway, what I was getting from one person, who claimed that his view was widespread, is that the song has connotations about picking oneself up after a setback, and how it is played at American football matches because of that. He even got into talking about 'William the Bruce' at one point.

Amazing! Its Robert the Bruce (or rather Robert de Bruce as both he and William Wallace were Norman noblemen and not Scots!)

*eyeballs Letila* Well duh... shouldn't you know that? That the masses prefer songs about drinking to political issues and the like is the sign of capitalist opression in that they are successfully placating the proletariat with institutions such as the welfare state. *throws a copy of 'the Prison Notebooks' at Letila*

Heh, I suppose so.

Well duh... shouldn't you know that? That the masses prefer songs about drinking to political issues and the like is the sign of capitalist opression in that they are successfully placating the proletariat with institutions such as the welfare state.
Why do you think Design For Life is the Manic Street Preachers' most popular song? For the political/class references ('then work came and made us free'; 'we don't talk about love, we only want to get drunk'), or for the references to drinking ('I wish I had a bottle'; 'we only want to get drunk')?