… 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.
In the Bleak Midwinter
Crash Test Dummies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow
Snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter
Long ago
Angels and archangels
They have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim
Round in the air
For his mother only
In her maiden bliss
Worship the beloved
With a kiss
In the bleak midwinter
A stable place sufficed
The Lord God almighty
Jesus Christ
What can I give Him
Poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb
If I were a wise man
I would do my part
Yet what I can I give him
Give my heart
Give, give my heart
The lyrics of Crash Test Dummies' "In the Bleak Midwinter" are a beautiful representation of the birth of Jesus Christ in the winter season. The first verse describes the harsh winter conditions with "frosty wind," "hard as iron" earth, "water like a stone," and layers of snow on top of each other. These descriptions set the scene of a desolate and cold environment that is bleak and unforgiving.
The second verse describes the gathering of angels and other divine beings around Mary and the infant Jesus. They worship the child born in the stable, imbued with a sense of reverence for the miracle that has taken place. The beauty of the angels and their heavenly presence contrast with the harsh, bleak physical environment which only serves to enhance their holy presence.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak midwinter
The poet is describing a cold and harsh time of year, probably winter, using bleak and desolate imagery.
Frosty wind made moan
The wind is bitterly cold and emits a mournful sound, which serves to heighten the sense of bleakness.
Earth stood hard as iron
The ground is so frozen and hard that it is like iron. This reinforces the idea that it is an inhospitable environment.
Water like a stone
The water is also frozen, and feels as hard as a rock. This all adds to the image of an environment that is difficult to survive in.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow
Snow has accumulated in layers, indicating that the cold weather has been present for some time.
In the bleak midwinter
The poet reiterates the setting of the poem, underscoring its significance.
Angels and archangels
The mention of these powerful, divine beings suggests that something meaningful and profound is happening.
They have gathered there
The angels are present at a specific place for a specific purpose.
Cherubim and seraphim
These are two other types of angelic beings, further emphasizing the importance of the occasion.
Round in the air
The angels are not grounded, but instead appear to be floating or hovering in mid-air.
For his mother only
The angels are gathered around Mary, the mother of Jesus, specifically.
In her maiden bliss
Mary is experiencing a sense of happiness or contentment, which is indicated by the phrase 'maiden bliss.'
Worship the beloved
The angels are engaging in an act of honoring or revering Jesus, whom they see as beloved.
With a kiss
This symbolizes the way that the angels are paying their respects to Jesus in a gentle and worshipful manner.
In the bleak midwinter
This line is repeated to remind the reader of the setting.
A stable place sufficed
Despite the bleakness of the setting, a humble stable serves as the location for something significant.
The Lord God almighty
This is a reference to God, reinforcing the Christian nature of the poem.
Jesus Christ
Jesus is specifically invoked, indicating that the stable is the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
What can I give Him
The singer is reflecting on what they could possibly offer a divine figure like Jesus Christ.
Poor as I am
The artist is acknowledging their own lack of resources or worldly wealth.
If I were a shepherd
The artist is engaging in a hypothetical scenario, imagining if they were a shepherd who could offer a lamb as a gift.
I would bring a lamb
If such a scenario were true, the artist would opt to bring a lamb as a gift.
If I were a wise man
The singer is engaging in another hypothetical scenario, imagining what they might bring as a wise and wealthy person.
I would do my part
In this scenario, the artist would do all they could to honor and respect Jesus, but acknowledges their own shortcomings.
Yet what I can I give him
The singer realizes that they cannot offer anything particularly valuable or meaningful in this circumstance.
Give my heart
The singer decides that the best thing they can offer is their own loving devotion and respect.
Give, give my heart
Repeating this phrase underlines the sincerity and depth of feeling behind the singer's words.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID FINDLAY, N TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind