Chant
The Doug Anthony Allstars Lyrics


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The carnal carnival is in town I think I'm going down (we will) The sexual festival's such a thrill It makes me just want to kill kill kill kill kill kill Sorry! I love the perfume round your hips The way you flirtify your lips I hear the zipper unzip Feel the flesh start to rip rip rip rip rip rip rip rip rip rip rip You've got to stand up and be counted Or lie down and be mounted You've got no choice, you've got to use your voice Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya Fornicators freaks and sodomites Transexuals and transvestites Homo, hetero or confused Bisexual, used and abused Vestetiny is here Sadomasochistic fun is here Sex is sin, sin is fun Come one, come all, in the end just COME You've got to ... move into the centre, or Or just break, and enter We wanna reach your mind But through your behind The panic of seduction The act of reproduction Now you're back in the sack You must describe your function The fuck truck, the root ute A hip hop not shock; you fist descrete, you need release, not just another pit-stop. Big breast, sunken chest, are you better than the rest, what's your measurement, baby can we make a test, How much have you spent, is your arse up for rent, are you blonde or brunette or is it ginger ginger, have you been experienced or are you a beginner, your salivating now coz you're up against the wall, the pitcher's on the mound so grab the bat and let's play ball, let's play ball, let's play ball, let's play ball.




Overall Meaning

The Doug Anthony Allstars's song Chant is a provocative and controversial commentary on the sexual and social norms of society. The lyrics depict a carnival-like atmosphere where sex is the main attraction and where every gender and sexual orientation is welcomed. The singer, who expresses his desire to participate in the revelry, is conflicted between his lust and his conscience. He feels the urge to give in to his primal desires but is also aware of the moral implications of his actions. The chorus conveys this conflict by presenting two options, either to stand up and be counted or to lie down and be mounted. The former represents a call to action, while the latter represents a surrender to the pleasures of the flesh.


The song examines the dichotomy between societal norms and individual desires, and how the two are often at odds with each other. The lyrics challenge traditional notions of sexuality and gender roles, promoting acceptance and diversity. They also criticize the hypocrisy of those who condemn sexual behavior while indulging in it themselves. Ultimately, the song embraces the idea of sexual liberation, encouraging people to explore their sexuality without shame or guilt.


Line by Line Meaning

The carnal carnival is in town I think I'm going down (we will)
The sexually charged atmosphere and activities are highly tempting and arousing, and I feel like I may succumb to my desires (and perhaps others will too).


The sexual festival's such a thrill
The event's explicit and taboo nature is both exhilarating and intimidating.


It makes me just want to kill kill kill kill kill kill Sorry!
My lust and desire are so intense that they almost feel violent, but I recognize that this is not appropriate or acceptable behavior (hence the 'Sorry!').


I love the perfume round your hips
I am attracted to and aroused by the scent of your body, specifically around your waist and hips.


The way you flirtify your lips
I find your seductive gestures and facial expressions very enticing and alluring.


I hear the zipper unzip
I am keenly aware of the sound of your clothing being removed, which further increases my sexual excitement.


Feel the flesh start to rip rip rip rip rip rip rip rip rip rip rip
As our bodies come into close contact, I feel intense physical sensations and the imminent release of sexual tension.


You've got to stand up and be counted
A call to acknowledge and celebrate one's sexual desires and preferences rather than hiding them.


Or lie down and be mounted
A suggestive phrase about being submissive and sexually dominated by another person.


You've got no choice, you've got to use your voice Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Encouragement to speak up and express one's sexual desires and preferences, loudly and proudly (hence the repeated 'ya ya ya').


Fornicators freaks and sodomites
A reference to taboo sexual practices and communities.


Transexuals and transvestites
A reference to people who do not conform to traditional gender identities or roles.


Homo, hetero or confused
Acknowledging various sexual orientations and the potential for identity struggles/confusion.


Bisexual, used and abused
Acknowledging the existence of and potential stigma surrounding bisexual orientations, as well as the potential for exploitation or abuse in sexual situations.


Vestetiny is here
A reference to a specific fetish or sexual practice (likely related to clothing or dress).


Sadomasochistic fun is here
A reference to an explicit and taboo sexual practice involving pain and control dynamics.


Sex is sin, sin is fun
A provocative phrase that suggests that sexual activities are inherently sinful or taboo, but also thrilling and exciting because of that forbidden nature.


Come one, come all, in the end just COME
A playful yet explicit invitation to participate in sexual activities and seek pleasure, with a pun on the double meaning of 'come' as both a final destination and a slang term for orgasm.


You've got to ... move into the centre, or
A call to be bold and take action, either by boldly stepping into the center of the erotic action and fully participating, or by choosing to break the rules and push boundaries.


Or just break, and enter
A suggestive reference to non-consensual sexual activity or breaking the rules to gain sexual access or satisfaction.


We wanna reach your mind
A suggestion that sexual pleasure can be intellectual or emotional as well as physical.


But through your behind
A playful and explicit reference to anal sex or other sexual practices that involve the ass.


The panic of seduction
A reference to the intense and sometimes overwhelming feelings of arousal and attraction that can accompany sexual encounters.


The act of reproduction
A straightforward acknowledgment that sex can lead to reproduction, but also connotes a certain seriousness or responsibility that comes with sexual activity.


Now you're back in the sack
A suggestion that sexual activity can be cyclical or repetitive, or that participants may return to the same sexual partner or situation repeatedly.


You must describe your function
A reference to the clinical and precise language that can be used to discuss sexual activity or anatomy, but also potentially a call to be honest and communicative with sexual partners about preferences and boundaries.


The fuck truck, the root ute
Vehicles that suggest impromptu and/or anonymous sexual encounters.


A hip hop not shock; you fist descrete, you need release, not just another pit-stop.
A suggestion that sexual pleasure can be found in unexpected places or situations, but that it still requires discretion and the ability to control and contain one's desires despite potentially intense arousal.


Big breast, sunken chest, are you better than the rest, what's your measurement, baby can we make a test
A series of rapid-fire questions and comments about physical appearance and sexual ability, perhaps suggesting the superficiality or objectification that can accompany sexual encounters.


How much have you spent, is your arse up for rent, are you blonde or brunette or is it ginger ginger, have you been experienced or are you a beginner
More questions about physical appearance, as well as experience and potential financial transactions involved in sexual activity.


Your salivating now coz you're up against the wall, the pitcher's on the mound so grab the bat and let's play ball, let's play ball, let's play ball, let's play ball.
A vivid and suggestive metaphor comparing sexual activity to a game of baseball, with various roles and power dynamics involved.




Contributed by Lauren P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@lueysixty-six7300

Well tenacious d but they came much much much later

Proud of our homegrown boys

The Doug Anthony allstars

Silverchair

Powderfinger

Midnight oil

Killing Heidi

John Farnham

Jimmy Barnes

Tommy Emmanuel

James Morrison

Johnny Diesel

Hell, Kylie Minogue

Tina arena

Kate ceberano

The whitlams

Tim Minchin

The axis of awesome

Proud of them all, even though I'm generally into harder rock stuff.... I appreciate just about all music

And I'm proud to be a patriotic Australian. Should never be ashamed to be Aussie!



All comments from YouTube:

@scalefish

I can't really think of any other comedy act like these guys. The way they'd be totally rude and violent, then sing like angels out of nowhere - incredible. I saw them do this live and it was jaw-dropping.

I miss them. Australia needs this kind of satire more than ever. Times are dark here now.

@lueysixty-six7300

Well tenacious d but they came much much much later

Proud of our homegrown boys

The Doug Anthony allstars

Silverchair

Powderfinger

Midnight oil

Killing Heidi

John Farnham

Jimmy Barnes

Tommy Emmanuel

James Morrison

Johnny Diesel

Hell, Kylie Minogue

Tina arena

Kate ceberano

The whitlams

Tim Minchin

The axis of awesome

Proud of them all, even though I'm generally into harder rock stuff.... I appreciate just about all music

And I'm proud to be a patriotic Australian. Should never be ashamed to be Aussie!

@franceshegarty8549

it got darker'...

@darkarpatron

I had forgotten just how beautiful this version was. "They talk like devils and sing like angels" indeed.

This was the first version of Grapevine I'd heard, so when I heard the original I almost couldn't accept it. God, Paul has such a powerful and beautiful singing voice, the three of them definitely made this the best version of this song I'd ever heard, on an Australian comedy show no less.

@gemmanaz20

Yep talk like devils for sure . Then the contrast of the angelic voices. The ad lib... Goon show ....humour..... Couldn't want for more ... they give an overload of the best entertainment .

@Yowie9644

Paul's voice is divine, but the harmonies cannot be discounted either. They make an already incredible voice that much better. Wow. Still brings a tear to the eye man <mumble> years later.

@laxota72

I heard this when it was first broadcast on ABC, live of course, and it sent shivers up my spine. Still does.

@DoubleDummy

For me this was one of the best nights of television ever. I remember being in shock that they sang a song without "acting up". Was so glad I had recorded it on VHS.

@getoffmycloud

this has to be the best version..

@bennyonsound

This damn near makes me cry. Aussie talent. Unique, unashamed, and here, utterly beautiful.

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