Chumbawamba is an unlikely commercial success story– for nearly a decade they toiled in obscurity as an anarcho-communist punk rock band in their home country of Britain, focusing on elements of class struggle, pacifism, and animal rights as common motifs in their music. And then, like a strike of lightning, the band released “Tubthumping” which shot them into the stratosphere. As someone who grew up in the late 90’s this song was absolutely everywhere– from the dreamy introduction, to the hip-hop influenced verse, to the horn-infused bridge that feels like it was recorded in a different zip code, to the rousing chorus that feels so incredibly life-affirming every time it comes on. The message of resilience is one that I’ll turn to in times of distress, an anthem that feels as uplifting as it did the first time I heard it.
Standout Songs: “Tubthumping”, “Top Of The World”, “Amnesia”
Matthew. 