My Gen X Playlist: Tubthumping – Chumbawamba

Here is my list, in no particular order:

1. the warm feeling of sunshine
2. the sound of family at Thanksgiving
3. waking up after a good night’s sleep
4. the first bite of a hamburger hot off the grill
5. a hearty laugh at a funny joke
6. Rice Krispie treats
7. reaching the top of the mountain
8. Fridays – TGIF
9. ice cold watermelon on a hot day
10. cherry blossoms in spring
11. autumn colors in fall
12. the beach in summer
13. fresh snow in winter
14. a sky full of stars
15. sitting by campfires at night
16. puppies
17. jumping into swimming pools
18. unexpectedly finding a $20 bill in the dryer
19. road trips
20. hot coffee in the morning
21. stepping on a scale and discovering I lost 5 pounds
22. summer BBQs
23. ice cream cones
24. family
25. watching a good Netflix series
26. finishing a good crime/mystery novel
27. blueberry pancakes with maple syrup
28. sunrises
29. sunsets
30. the first sip of a cold beer

There are a lot of happy songs that come to mind. However, it’s one thing to be a song about happiness, it’s another to feel “the happy” from the get go and continue to rise from there. The vibe from Chumbawamba’s Tubthumping definitely gives them the nod. Although there is an underlying theme of the struggling middle class, it’s difficult to deny Tubthumping is also simply a drinking song.

First and foremost, it is a drinking song. According to Boff Whalley, the song was inspired by a neighbor of his in Ireland. This neighbor, who always sang “Danny Boy” (hence the reference in the song) would come home drunk many a night and fall down on his face. And yet, he would continue to get up again and again.

– thethings

When I read the backstory, I first amusingly smiled, then on second thought felt a little sorry for the guy. But the lyrics continue with the stumbling neighbor saying:

Don’t cry for me. Next door neighbor.

If he is good with it, I’m good as well. Cheers to perseverance and may you always get up when knocked down.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

We'll be singing
When we're winning
We'll be singing

I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down

Pissing the night away
Pissing the night away

He drinks a whiskey drink
He drinks a vodka drink
He drinks a lager drink
He drinks a cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind of the better times

Oh, Danny boy
Danny boy
Danny boy

I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down

Pissing the night away
Pissing the night away

He drinks a whiskey drink
He drinks a vodka drink
He drinks a lager drink
He drinks a cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the better times

Don't cry for me
Next door neighbor

I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down

I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing)
You're never gonna keep me down (When we're winning)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing)
You're never gonna keep me down (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing)
You're never gonna keep me down (When we're winning)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing)
You're never gonna keep me down (Ooh-ooh-ooh)

I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (When we're winning)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (When we're winning)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (Ooh-ooh-ooh)

I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (When we're winning)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (When we're winning)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (Ooh-ooh-ooh)

I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (When we're winning)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
I get knocked down
But I get up again (We'll be singing) (Pissing the night away)
You're never gonna keep me down