On 7th July 2012 Chumbawamba announced their impending breakup before the end of the year. Their very last concert was given at the Leeds City Varieties. At this show former members of the band, such as Harry Hamer and Danbert Nobacon made their appearance. At this theatre, Chumbawamba already performed 'Big Society!' with radical theatre company Red Ladder.
The last EP of the band was released April 8th, 2013, when Margaret Thatcher passed away. The Margaret Thatcher EP 'In Memoriam' is a 5-track sound collage featuring a few small songs, which could only be pre-ordered. It was mailed to all who pre-ordered on that very day.
Early years (1982-1991)
The band was formed in 1982 from two other bands based in Yorkshire, The Passion Killers and Chimp Eats Banana. They released a series of albums (such as Pictures of Starving Children Sell Records and the a capella album English Rebel Songs) and singles on their own Agit-Pop label before moving to One Little Indian in the early 90s.
One Little Indian (1991-1997)
On One Little Indian, Chumbawamba released three albums, Slap!, Shhh, and Anarchy, on which influences of techno music are noticeable. The songs for these albums were written in a period when dance culture was thriving and the band were also influenced by it. The music had turned into a more popular sound, which they emphasized was to spread the message more effectively. Touring for Anarchy, the concert at Leeds was recorded for the live album "Showbusiness!".
The last album released on One Little Indian is Swingin' with Raymond (1995). The albums first six songs are about (the right to) love and ends with seven songs loaded with hate (in the broadest sense of the word: it includes a song about anorexia nervosa).
The EMI years (1997-2000)
Anarchy or not, the band signed to EMI by 1997. At EMI, Chumbawamba had brief mainstream success, with the singles Tubthumping and Amnesia, taken from Tubthumper. Like Slap! and Shhh, the album was noticeably influenced by techno music. The new Chumbawamba fans needed for an overview, EMI might have thought. So Uneasy Listening, a compilation of work from 1986-1998 was released by 1998.
This move alienated much of the anarchist punk scene that yielded Chumbawamba in the 80's. To their former cohorts, this new Chumbawamba -one that licensed songs for commercials and signed to a major label- was different than the one that took part in the Fuck EMI compilation record a decade before. In 1998, Scottish punk band Oi Polloi put together a 7 band compilation EP with other bands like Riot/Clone and Bus Station Loonies in response. The name of the record was "Bare Faced Hypocrisy Sells Records(The Anti Chumbawamba EP)" as a nod to Chumbawamba's first record. Chumbawamba responded by noting that even the smaller labels they had worked with were capitalist by definition and were often only driven by profit. They added that, with the help of good lawyers, they were doing what the Sex Pistols had done two decades earlier – what punk had initially set out to do before it was beset by righteous puritans looking for "a new set of rules", as the band put it. But also, in the words of Chumbawamba vocalist Danbert Nobacon, they "needed things to change", needed to "shake things up". According to the band, "even radical politics can get stagnant and repetitive." Much of the profits from the album were donated to radical groups, pirate radio stations, community organisations and anarchist projects.
By 2000, the album WYSIWYG was released, being entirely different from previous work (and thus defying the idea that the band just wanted to make commercial hits): a 22-track soundscape, comprising rock, folk, country and pop music. It includes a cover of the Bee Gees song New York Mining Disaster.
Return to independance (2002-2010)
In 2002, Chumbawamba formed their own label again, now naming it Mutt Records. On this record label, they released Readymades, followed by the world music influenced Un (2004). These two albums brought Chumbawamba to what it is now: a folk group.
Since 2005, the band decided it would be better to turn into an acoustic band. The line-up has changed to: Boff Whalley, Lou Watts, Jude Abbot and Neil Ferguson (former producer of the band). It was this line-up that released the fully acoustic album A Singsong and a Scrap on the small UK Folk and Folk-Rock label NoMasters by 2006. The album uses more traditional instruments and features English Folk artists such as Coope, Boyes & Simpson and Andy Cutting. In 2007 followed by the live album Get On With It.
In 2008, another No Masters album, The Boy Bands Have Won, was released. It contained 25 tracks of new acoustic material, some derived from traditional folk, such as Charlie. It also had guest performances by, amongst others, the Oyster Band on Hull or Hell and Roy Bailey on Word Bomber. It's this album where Phil Moody joined Chumbawamba as accordionist and vocalist.
The third album that Chumbawamba recorded on NoMasters, ABCDEFG, was released. The album is cut from very much the same cloth as the The Boy Bands Have Won, but is richer in sound. ABCDEFG stands for every note in the Western music scheme, and the album itself is about the power that music can bring to communities (Voices, That's All) and deliver to people in struggle (Wagner At The Opera). It's the first Chumbawamba album fully dedicated to music matters, though Shhh (1991) preceded this release, criticising pop culture.
On ABCDEFG, next to the five Chumbas, (amongst others) Ray Cooper plays cello and harmonica, Belinda O'Hooley plays the piano and Jo Freya plays alt and tenor saxophone.
Former members of Chumbawamba
Apart from the moment that Chumbawamba changed from electric band to acoustic band, Chumbawamba's line-up has changed several times after its first gig at January 8th, 1982.
Danbert Nobacon: Singer and keyboard player of the band, famous for wearing the brick suit, and for throwing a jug of water over UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott who showed up at the Brit Awards. He's still making music, see Danbert Nobacon and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts.
Dunstan Bruce: Vocalist, bass and saxophone player, percussionist and turntablist of the band.
Alice Nutter: Singer and percussionist of the band, famous for the drunk nun act she performed during live shows. Now writing scripts for radio, tv and theatre pieces.
Harry Hamer: Singer, drummer, programmer and percussionist of the band.
Mavis Dillon: Dillon did vocals, trumpet, french horn and bass for ten years, until he was replaced by Jude Abbot by 1995.
Paul Greco: Bass guitar, entered the band by 1992. He was replaced by Neil Ferguson in 1999.
Other former members include Coby Laan, Simon Commonknowledge, Midge (former Chimp Eats Banana) and Diane. There were actually loads of band members, especially in the early years. An extensive band history can be found at the Chumbawamba FAQ.
Mary Mary
Chumbawamba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For I have sinned
I sold my soul
For sex and gin
Go call a priest
All meek and mild
And tell him "Mary
It's raining stones
It's raining bile
From the luxury
Of your denial
So I don't deny
I don't make do
I'll press alarms
Place bets on truth
I'm so up and down
And I love what's not allowed
I was lost now I see:
And now I'm growing old
Disgracefully
Whatever happened to Mary?
I'll spit on floors
And do more drugs
Burn every bill
Get drunk on love
Wear next to nothing
In the pouring rain
Be a bad example
And do it all again
I'll be uncareful
I'll cause such scenes
And I'll never talk
Of used-to-be's
Tattoo my face
I won't go grey
Be a dancing queen
I'm growing old disgracefully
I'm so up and down
And I love what's not allowed
I was lost, now I see:
And now I'm growing old
Disgracefully
Whatever happened to Mary?
Mary, Mary
Quite contrary
The lyrics to "Mary Mary" by Chumbawamba tell the story of a woman named Mary who has sinned and is no longer pure. She has sold her soul for sex and alcohol and is not ashamed of it. Instead of hiding her sins and pretending to be pure, she is proud of who she is and what she has done. In the second verse, she challenges the listener to go to a priest and tell him that she is no longer a child. This is a direct challenge to the notion that once a person has sinned, they are no longer pure and must repent for their sins.
As the song progresses, Mary becomes more rebellious in her actions. She is not afraid to cause a scene or be a bad example. She wants to live life to the fullest, even if it means breaking the rules. She wants to be free to express herself and not be held back by societal norms. In the end, Mary decides to "grow old disgracefully" and be true to herself, no matter what anyone else thinks.
The lyrics of "Mary Mary" are a powerful statement about the struggle to be true to oneself in a society that often judges people based on their actions. The song encourages listeners to embrace their true selves, even if it means being different or breaking the rules.
Line by Line Meaning
No virgin me
I am not pure or innocent
For I have sinned
I have done wrong or immoral things
I sold my soul
I made a deal with the devil or traded something valuable for something less valuable
For sex and gin
For physical pleasure and alcohol
Go call a priest
Get someone to pray for me or absolve me of my sins
All meek and mild
In a gentle or submissive manner
And tell him "Mary Is no more a child."
Tell the priest that I am no longer innocent or naive
It's raining stones
I am being criticized or judged harshly
It's raining bile
I am receiving a lot of hateful comments or opinions
From the luxury Of your denial
You are in a comfortable position of denying or avoiding the truth
So I don't deny I don't make do
I will not deny the truth and I will not settle for less
I'll press alarms Place bets on truth
I will speak out and bet on what I believe is true
I'm so up and down And I love what's not allowed
I have conflicting emotions and I am drawn to things that are forbidden or taboo
I was lost now I see: And now I'm growing old Disgracefully
I was once lost or misguided, but now I have clarity and I am aging in a way that is not conventional or socially acceptable
Whatever happened to Mary?
What became of the character or archetype of Mary, who was traditionally pure and innocent?
I'll spit on floors And do more drugs
I will behave in a rude or rebellious manner and continue to use drugs
Burn every bill Get drunk on love
I will reject society's expectations and pursue love and passion instead of money
Wear next to nothing In the pouring rain
I will dress provocatively or scantily in public regardless of the weather
Be a bad example And do it all again
I will set a negative example for others and continue to behave in a rebellious or unconventional way
I'll be uncareful I'll cause such scenes
I will act recklessly and create chaos or drama
And I'll never talk Of used-to-be's
I will not reminisce or regret my past actions or choices
Tattoo my face I won't go grey
I will permanently alter my appearance and refuse to age gracefully
Be a dancing queen I'm growing old disgracefully
I will remain lively and dance despite my age, and I will continue to defy conventional expectations
Whatever happened to Mary?
What became of the character or archetype of Mary, who was traditionally pure and innocent?
Mary, Mary Quite contrary
Addressing or referring to the traditional figure of Mary, who is now portrayed in a very different manner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALICE NUTTER, ALLEN WHALLEY, DARREN HAMER, DUNCAN BRUCE, JUDITH ABBOTT, LOUISE WATTS, NIGEL HUNTER, PAUL GRECO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@linguisticallyoversight8685
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end of our death, Amen
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end of our death, Amen
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end of our death, Amen, of our death, Amen
No, virgin me for I have sinned
I sold my soul for sex and gin
Go call a priest, all meek and mild
And tell him, "Mary is no more a child"
It's raining stones, it's raining bile
From the luxury of your denial
So I don't deny, I don't make do
I'll press alarms, place bets on truth
I'm so up and down
And I love what's not allowed
I was lost, now I see
And now I'm growing old disgracefully
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end [unverified]
I'll spit on floors and do more drugs
Burn every bill, get drunk on love
Wear next to nothing in the pouring rain
Be a bad example and do it all again
I'll be uncareful, I'll cause such scenes
And I'll never talk of used-to-be's
Tattoo my face, I won't go gray
Be a dancing queen, I'm growing old disgracefully
I'm so up and down
And I love what's not allowed
I was lost, now I see
And now I'm growing old disgracefully
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to [unverified]?
Mary, Mary, Mary
Quite contrary
Mary, Mary, Mary
Quite contrary
Mary, Mary, Mary
Quite contrary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end of our death, Amen
Nema htaed ruo fo dne eht ta dna won srennis su rof dog fo rehtom yram
Yloh susej bmow yht tiurf eht si desselb dna nemow tsungma uoht tra
Dessleb eeht htiw si drol eht ecarg fo lluf yram liah
@daleofgloecknerpassvonfaun3842
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@whtxombi4955
I remember watching Stigmata in the theater and really getting pumped with this song in the intro. Excellent movie.
@Uthyrexe
This was one of my favorite movies as a kid and I loved this opener. Haha
@linguisticallyoversight8685
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end of our death, Amen
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end of our death, Amen
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end of our death, Amen, of our death, Amen
No, virgin me for I have sinned
I sold my soul for sex and gin
Go call a priest, all meek and mild
And tell him, "Mary is no more a child"
It's raining stones, it's raining bile
From the luxury of your denial
So I don't deny, I don't make do
I'll press alarms, place bets on truth
I'm so up and down
And I love what's not allowed
I was lost, now I see
And now I'm growing old disgracefully
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end [unverified]
I'll spit on floors and do more drugs
Burn every bill, get drunk on love
Wear next to nothing in the pouring rain
Be a bad example and do it all again
I'll be uncareful, I'll cause such scenes
And I'll never talk of used-to-be's
Tattoo my face, I won't go gray
Be a dancing queen, I'm growing old disgracefully
I'm so up and down
And I love what's not allowed
I was lost, now I see
And now I'm growing old disgracefully
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to Mary?
Whatever happened to [unverified]?
Mary, Mary, Mary
Quite contrary
Mary, Mary, Mary
Quite contrary
Mary, Mary, Mary
Quite contrary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now
And at the end of our death, Amen
Nema htaed ruo fo dne eht ta dna won srennis su rof dog fo rehtom yram
Yloh susej bmow yht tiurf eht si desselb dna nemow tsungma uoht tra
Dessleb eeht htiw si drol eht ecarg fo lluf yram liah
@Rue42
I always listen to this song before making deliciously bad decisions.
@amysolley4268
Same.
@j.ignaciodiazfernandez7263
So how bad they were
@kevincampbell5785
You're attractive.
@CarmineSavastano1
Well. My name, Carmine, means several things. Song in Latin (canticum), Crimson in Arabic (qarmzi), A man who like a song in Italian (kahr-MEE-neh), blood in Aramaic a purple crimson, Garden of God in Hebrew (גן האל), Carmine is an Italian masculine variant of Carmen. Carmen is a Spanish form of Carmel, influenced by carmen, a Latin word for song. Carmel originates in Hebrew language and means "garden of God". In the Bible, Carmel was a mountain range in Israel, as well as an ancient town in Judea. As a feminine given name it was probably derived from the Virgin Mary Our Lady of Carmel. Carmen is the name of the famous opera by George Bizet. However, life offers many delicious bad decisions, like caramel. Have fun.
@kirengelhardt3707
This song itself sounds like deliciously bad decisions. The first time I ever heard it was during the opening credits of ʻStigmataʻ and I still canʻt hear it without imagining that bar with the fire eaters.
@vanessamorey3812
Such a sick song!!! I always liked this one better than the hit single. That one got super old really fast. The radio ruins a lot of songs. This one was spared!!! Yay!