Chumbawamba – Tubthumping

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  General Comment:Although this is a great song about drinking, I like to think about the song in a different way. I like to think about this song as a song about being resilient and not giving up. It reminds me that you have to understand that being knocked down is a part of life (something I sometimes struggle with). Also I love the "we'll be singing, when we're winning" part because it tells you to stay confident and believe in yourself. When you do succeed be proud of yourself.
  
  I get knocked down, but I get up again
  You are never gonna keep me down

  Flag labyrinth1on June 05, 2013   Link

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  Song Meaning:Boff Whalley (guitarist / singer) recently explained what it was about.
  
  When the band used to live in Chapeltown, Leeds, they had an Irish neighbor that worked on the railway. He hated his job. On the weekends, though, he would cheerfully drink at the Fforde Green pub and stumble his way home singing "Danny Boy".
  
  "We wanted to write a song about that kind of general resilience to having rubbish jobs. The fact that people can go out on the weekends and still enjoy themselves." - Boff Whalley
  
  Source:
  youtube.com/…

  Flag adrian4on February 09, 2013   Link

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  My Interpretation:It's about a sincere believer in an ideology that is no longer mainstream, like socialism or anarchism. Maybe a former dock or factory worker that was layed off during the Thatcher years. But he's still convinced he can win against the 'powers that be', they'll never 'keep him down'. But deep down he knows he's lost it, and so he pisses the night away as an alcoholic old man in a new era dominated by neoliberalism.

  Flag Delmothoson June 13, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:its about getting drunk and getting into a bar fight. plain and simple

  Flag thedogon April 24, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:2010.. I'm the first to comment in this year.. I missed this freakin' song.. it's nice.. and I just heard it this day.. uhmm.. about 12-4pm .. I got this today.. hehe..

  Flagged redkid94on February 17, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:I can't help but think of a bloke who gets into a fight at his local pub. He gets his arse beat, but still comes back for more. *grin* I can't say that this is what the song is about, but it sure does bring up that image.
  
  And with the musical interludes such as Danny Boy...well, how many people do you know only sing when they are totally drunk? I can think of a few. *giggle*
  
  You have to love the imagery this song leaves. That and the fact that it is now going to be stuck in my head for the rest the day. (LOL!)
  

  Flag ladygraceon August 15, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:this is a great cheer cheering song
  
  the radio has been playing
  "Hope it gives you hell" which has a very similar beat and even a chorus sextion
  too bad it does not measure up to this song

  Flag Matt Holckon July 30, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:When I was like nine I use to always sing this when I felt like I was being pushed around alot. I though of the song as something to encourage me, I really had no idea until now that it was about drinking. haha

  Flag dorky_twilighteron February 27, 2009   Link

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    Hang in there brother, we're fighting one of the most patient enemies in existence!

    Flag elwoood13on April 30, 2013  
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  General Comment:Everyone has their own interpretation when it comes to music. Some may think this song is about drinking but to me it is quite different. As a recovering alcoholic I do tend to fail from time to time. During these times i feel that there is no hope for me to ever recover. "I get knocked down, But I get up again.
  You're never going to keep me down" is pretty much how it goes for me. It more or less is me saying to the world that you will never keep me down. I won't give up.

  Flag mike4321on December 11, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Well I think you all think way too much about this song...In fact, it's probable that this is just a simple song with no greater meaning. :D
  
  The initial quote "The truth is, I thought it mattered - I thought that music mattered. But does it? Bollocks! Not compared to how people matter." is from film "Brassed Off" which is about a man called Danny, bandleader. So much for the deep ideas about funeral songs etc. :)

  Flag Arxion December 07, 2008   Link

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