… Read Full Bio ↴The Crash Test Dummies is a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The band is most identifiable through Brad Roberts (vocals, guitar) and his distinctive bass-baritone voice. The band members have fluctuated over the years, but its best known line-up consisted of Roberts, Ellen Reid (co-vocals, keyboards), Brad's brother Dan Roberts (bass guitar, backing vocals), Benjamin Darvill (harmonica, mandolin), and Mitch Dorge (drums, percussion). The band is best known internationally for their 1993 single "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" and best known in Canada for the 1991 single "Superman's Song".
After a multi-year hiatus, the band returned in 2015 with a tour and the new charity single "Promised Land" which was a collaboration with Marc Mysterio[1] following up his remix of "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm".
The origin of the Crash Test Dummies is tied to the history of two Winnipeg nightspots, the Spectrum Cabaret and the Blue Note Cafe, owned by Curtis Riddell.
In the mid-1980s, Riddell joined with Brad Roberts to form the decidedly less-than-serious bar band Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. Over time, the band evolved into the Crash Test Dummies, a name suggested by a friend of the band who was in medical school. The diagnostic mannequin, known colloquially as a crash test dummy, was known to the public already by this time. Ellen Reid and Benjamin Darvill became permanent additions. George West, the original bass player, quit and was replaced by Dan Roberts, Brad's brother. Riddell was replaced by Vince Lambert, who was fired and replaced by Mitch Dorge just before the release of The Ghosts That Haunt Me.
After signing with BMG Records in 1991, the band signed with manager Jeff Rogers (Swell).
In the summer of 2017, the full band, except Benjamin Darvill, reunited for a show in Winnipeg and Brad Roberts went on a tour of South Africa in early 2018.
In July 2018, a reunited photo of Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts, and Mitch Dorge was posted on the official Crash Test Dummies Facebook page, along with the announcement of Canadian Tour Dates for the fall.
Throughout their career, Crash Test Dummies have experimented with many different styles and genres of music. These styles include the acoustic folk rock of The Ghosts That Haunt Me, the electric alternative rock of A Worm's Life, the urban influences of Give Yourself a Hand, and the optigan-based compositions of Oooh La La!.
Crash Test Dummies recorded as a full five piece band from their debut album The Ghosts That Haunt Me until Give Yourself a Hand. At this time, the most notable instrumentation of the band's music included Brad Roberts' lead guitar, Ellen Reid's keyboards, and Benjamin Darvill's harmonica. Another notable element of Crash Test Dummies' music are the contrasting harmonies between Brad Roberts' deep lead vocals and Ellen Reid's backing vocals in the higher register.
Beginning with I Don't Care That You Don't Mind in 2001, the band's albums were recorded primarily by Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, and a rotating roster of session musicians.
One of the biggest influences for Brad Roberts was the band XTC and Andy Partridge in particular. The band even went on to cover two of XTC's songs: "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" for the soundtrack to the film Dumb and Dumber, and "All You Pretty Girls" for the XTC tribute album A Testimonial Dinner.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Crash Test Dummies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our heavenly Father
A blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tiding of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm, and wind
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The son of God to find
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The lyrics of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Crash Test Dummies are a traditional Christmas Carol that dates back to the 16th century. The song is about the birth of Jesus Christ and the joy that comes with the story of his arrival. In the opening verse, the singer declares that nothing should dismay them as they remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who came to save humanity from the power of Satan.
The second verse provides more details about the story of Jesus' birth, specifically his birth in Bethlehem and being laid in a manger by Mary. The third verse talks about the angel that brought news of Jesus' birth to shepherds in the fields. The fourth and final verse celebrates that the shepherds went to Bethlehem to find the baby Jesus and rejoiced in his arrival.
Overall, the song is a hymn of gratitude and joy, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the salvation that he brings to humanity. The message of the song is that despite the hardships and challenges of life, we can find comfort and joy in the knowledge that God has made a way for us through Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
God rest ye merry gentlemen
May God provide peaceful rest to you, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Do not let anything discourage you
Remember Christ our Savior
Recall that Jesus Christ is our savior
Was born on Christmas Day
He was born on the day of Christmas
To save us all from Satan's power
His birth was to rescue us from Satan's influence and power
When we were gone astray
Due to our wandering off the right path
O tidings of comfort and joy
This news brings us reassurance and happiness
In Bethlehem, in Israel
The birthplace of the blessed Babe was Bethlehem in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
The baby that was born was blessed
And laid within a manger
The baby was laid in a manger
Upon this blessed morn
On this auspicious morning
The which His mother Mary
The mother of the baby, Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
Did not look down upon this humble setting
From God our heavenly Father
A divine angel sent by our heavenly father
A blessed angel came
A fortunate angel visited
And unto certain shepherds
And announced to certain shepherds
Brought tiding of the same
Brought the same joyous news
How that in Bethlehem was born
Regarding the news about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
The Son of God by name
He was the Son of God
The shepherds at those tidings
On hearing this news, shepherds
Rejoiced much in mind
Felt great joy in their hearts
And left their flocks a-feeding
Abandoned their sheep they were nurturing
In tempest, storm, and wind
Despite challenging weather conditions
And went to Bethlehem straightway
They went directly to Bethlehem
The son of God to find
To find the Son of God
Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Integrity Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind