… 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 Shuffled His Feet
Crash Test Dummies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was quite tired so God said
"Let there be a day
Just for picnics, with wine and bread"
He gathered up some people he had made
Created blankets and laid back in the shade
The people sipped their wine
Like, do you have to eat
Or get your hair cut in heaven?
And if your eye got poked out in this life
Would it be waiting up in heaven with your wife?
God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him
So he said "once there was a boy
Who woke up with blue hair
To him it was a joy
Until he ran out into the warm air
He thought of how his friend would come to see
And would they laugh, or had he got some strange disease?"
God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him
The people sat waiting
Out on their blankets in the garden
But God said nothing
So someone asked him "I beg your pardon
I'm not quite clear about what you just spoke
What that a parable, or a very subtle joke?"
God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him
The song "God Shuffled His Feet" by Crash Test Dummies is a humorous and thought-provoking take on the story of creation and God's relationship with his human creations. The first verse describes God's exhaustion after creating the world in seven days and his decision to create a day of rest for himself and his people. This day is meant for picnics, wine, and bread, and God spends it lying in the shade with his creations.
In the second verse, the people ask God a series of questions, ranging from the practical (do you have to eat or get your hair cut in heaven?) to the philosophical (if you lose an eye in life, will it be waiting for you in heaven with your spouse?). God responds by telling a bizarre and somewhat nonsensical story about a boy with blue hair, causing the people to question whether this was a parable or a joke.
The final verse finds the people still waiting for an answer from God, but he remains silent. When someone asks him if his story was a parable or a joke, God simply shuffles his feet and glances around at them. The song ends with the people clearing their throats and staring back at him.
Overall, "God Shuffled His Feet" is a clever commentary on the human tendency to seek answers from a higher power, only to be met with ambiguity and uncertainty. The song is filled with clever wordplay and whimsical imagery, and the band's unique vocal style only adds to the song's quirky charm.
Line by Line Meaning
After seven days
God had completed creating the world and rested for a day
He was quite tired so God said
God was exhausted from creating the world and needed to take a break
"Let there be a day
Just for picnics, with wine and bread"
God created a day of rest and relaxation for people to enjoy picnics with food and drink
He gathered up some people he had made
Created blankets and laid back in the shade
God brought together the people he had created, provided them with blankets, and rested with them in the shade
The people sipped their wine
And what with God there, they asked him questions
Like, do you have to eat
Or get your hair cut in heaven?
And if your eye got poked out in this life
Would it be waiting up in heaven with your wife?
The people enjoyed their time with God and asked him questions about life after death such as whether or not they needed to eat or cut their hair, and if their missing body parts would be reunited with their loved ones in heaven
God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him
God paused and looked at the people in response to their questions
So he said "once there was a boy
Who woke up with blue hair
To him it was a joy
Until he ran out into the warm air
He thought of how his friend would come to see
And would they laugh, or had he got some strange disease?"
God told a story about a boy with blue hair who was happy until he worried about what others would think of him, especially his friend who might make fun of him or wonder if he was sick
The people sat waiting
Out on their blankets in the garden
But God said nothing
So someone asked him "I beg your pardon
I'm not quite clear about what you just spoke
What that a parable, or a very subtle joke?"
The people waited for God to speak, but when he remained silent, someone asked him to clarify whether his story was a parable or joke
God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him
God hesitated and looked at the people without saying anything
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRAD ROBERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@troncarter777
After seven days
He was quite tired so God said:
"Let there be a day
Just for picnics, with wine and bread"
He gathered up some people he had made
Created blankets and laid back in the shade
The people sipped their wine
And what with God there, they asked him questions
Like: do you have to eat
Or get your hair cut in heaven?
And if your eye got poked out in this life
Would it be waiting up in heaven with your wife?
God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them;
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him
So he said:"Once there was a boy
Who woke up with blue hair
To him it was a joy
Until he ran out into the warm air
He thought of how his friends would come to see;
And would they laugh, or had he got some strange disease?
God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them;
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him
The people sat waiting
Out on their blankets in the garden
But God said nothing
So someone asked him: "I beg your pardon:
I'm not quite clear about what you just spoke
Was that a parable, or a very subtle joke?"
God shuffled his feet and glanced around at them;
The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him
@alexbosorogan7501
This is a very very deep song with real deep transcendental sendings. These guys were big without being understood, definitely not a commercial band. The Canadians give the world again a big talent that we discover late. Deep respect to the band and as well to the poet. The whole album is a masterpiece.
@magic4478
what ever if they are a comercial band ,their music is good
@ninjavigilante5311
Idk about the commercial part, they were on one of the biggest comedies of all time dumb and dumber.
@whiskeythrottle8680
100%
@irishcountrygirl78
Some of us GenXers appreciated their lyrical genius and appreciated them so much, they were the soundtrack to my teen years. They were everything.
@ninjavigilante5311
@Tracey Ní Breitheamh pretty Tracey :)
@robertbuckley3762
Most underrated band ever. These guys have awesome grooviness, and deep messages. They all look totally relaxed. I want that vibe.
@VilleKuitunen6
@Wayne Clark Yep, I think this album sold 13 million copies. 13 million. Let that sink in...
@arsenelupiniii8040
They are/were orchestral musicians. Real nerds, being really passionate and telling of humanities fall or ascension. We chose to fall. Oh well, we can try again, next time god shuffles his feet.
@Draeka
They have got to be the most underrated band of the 90s.