… 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.
The First Noel
Crash Test Dummies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unto certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Both: noel, noel, noel, noel
Born is the king of Israel
Shining in the east beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night
Noel, noel, noel, noel
Born is the king of Israel
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far
To seek for a king was their intent
And follow that star wherever it went
Noel, noel, noel, noel
Born is the king of Israel
Brad: the star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took it's rest
Both: And there it did most up and stay
Right over the place where jesus lay
Noel, noel, noel, noel
Born is the king of Israel
Crash Test Dummies's song The First Noel is an adaptation of the traditional Christmas carol titled "The First Nowell." The lyrics narrate the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, as described in the Bible. The first verse tells of the angels appearing to poor shepherds, conveying them the good news of baby Jesus's birth. The second verse describes the star that guided the Three Wise Men to Jesus's location. The third verse presents the encounter of the Wise Men with baby Jesus.
The song is an ode to the miraculous birth, commemorating the day that marked the beginning of the Christian faith. Crash Test Dummies provides a mellow, bluesy delivery with enchanting harmonies, making the lyrics more evocative. The carol, like many Christmas songs, aims to spread joy and awareness of the season's importance, although it contains religious elements.
Line by Line Meaning
the first noel, the angels did say
Angels communicated the very first Noël
Unto certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay
The message was delivered to humble shepherds in fields
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds were tending to their flock in the fields
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
The night was chilly and dark
they looked up and saw a star
The shepherds noticed a shining star in the sky
Shining in the east beyond them far
The star was bright and visible from faraway in the east
And to the earth it gave great light
The star illuminated the earth strongly
And so it continued both day and night
The star shone continually throughout day and night
And by the light of that same star
The wise men followed the same star
Three wise men came from country far
Three wise men travelled a long distance
To seek for a king was their intent
The wise men searched for a king
And follow that star wherever it went
They tracked the star to guide them to their destination
the star drew nigh to the northwest
The star moved towards the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took it's rest
The star stopped and rested over Bethlehem
And there it did most up and stay
The star remained fixed in that spot
Right over the place where jesus lay
The star was directly above the location where Jesus was born
Born is the king of Israel
Jesus Christ was born, who is considered the king of Israel
Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tom Witty
I love Christmas music, and this rendition is one of my all-time favorites. It's my first listen every year when the holiday season approaches. Ellen's descant gives me chills.
マリモ。
素敵な声が聴けて嬉しい🥰💕
Heather Brunette
Omg ive been wanting a good copy of this video for years!! Thank you ❤❤❤
phuckweed
I don't know why this turned up in my notifications... but I'm glad it did! Love it. Two amazing voices complimenting each other.
Atlas
It probably turned up in your notifications because you're subscribed.
phuckweed
@Atlas.Brooklyn no I'm not subscribed actually. But I did search for Mmmmmm recently so I suppose the algorithms deduced that I like them.
Odin
@phuckweed Video was uploaded 3 days ago.
toptenguy1
You know what the definition of TALENT is? It's to make me NOT hate a Christmas song. WELL DONE! LOL
DateMike22
What a freakin' classic!!!
Mario 2401
This song and video make me feel really good and warm inside