Chumbawamba – Anarchy (1994)

ANARCHY was recorded in january 1994 at woodlands studio castleford • chumbawamba on this recording are: harry, danbert nobacon, paul greco, louise mary watts, dunst, boff, alice nutter and mavis dillon with neil ferguson and fusion • all songs written and arranged by chumbawamba except “enough is enough” written and arranged by chumbawamba/fusion and “heaven/hell” – the melody based on a traditional hungarian folk tune and passed via the ex from muzsikas • all songs produced and engineered by chumbawamba and neil ferguson at the doctor quantize clinic • thanks bedlam rovers for the traditional melody to “homophobia” • thanks to fusion for the piece in “love me” • special thanks to jimmy echo for extra “timebomb” • accordion by commonknowledge • “georgina” intro by kerry and casey • mandolin by geoff read • additional guitars and keyboards by neil ferguson • cover photo by lennart nilson from “being born” (dorling kindersley) • photography by casey orr • design by baader-meinhof with thanks to jason and jim (his assistants) • all songs published by chumbawamba songs (leosong) and island music ltd • chumbawamba can be contacted at: p o box tr666 • leeds ls12 3xj • west yorkshire • england • dedicated to the memory of will ramsbotham, frank zappa and derek jarman •

“when the artist paints what the public demands, it is not art, but business.” (charles t sprading). In which our hero and his manager ride through london in the back of a stretch limo, as press agents, a&r flunkies and professional hangers-on lick the car windows from outside – discovering that the icy-cold british weather has attached them tongue-first to the star’s car. watch as albert burns them off with a ciggy in true medieval quack-doctor style. wealth, politics and embassy king size: we always suspected kings were small. give the anarchist a cigarette albert • bobby • for god’s sake burn it down • nothing ever burns down by itself • every fire needs a little bit of help • give the anarchist a cigarette • ‘cos that’s as close as he’s ever going to get • bobby just hasn’t earned it yet • the times are changing but he just forgets • he’s going to choke on his harmonica albert • nothing ever burns down by itself • every fire needs a little bit of help • give the anarchist a cigarette • a candy cig for the spoilt brat • we’ll get albert to write you a cheque • and he’ll be burning up the air in his personal jet • you know i hate every pop star that i ever met • nothing ever burns down by itself • every fire needs a little bit of help • burn baby burn • burn baby burn • nothing ever burns down by itself • every fire needs a little bit of help

“come together, right now” (lennon). remembering the delight, fear, joy, panic and excitement in trafalgar square during the poll tax riot and in post-rodney king verdict san francisco. you had to be there. you will be… timebomb stop now • what’s that sound • everybody look what’s going down • i am a timebomb • a ticking ticking ticking timebomb • unattended on the railway station • in the litter at the dancehall • sitting pretty near the fast-food counter • in the backseat of a vauxhall • i am a timebomb • stop now • what’s that sound • everybody look what’s going down • hear the ticking of your heartbeat beating • hear the breaking of their promises • hear the smashing of your expectations • zxwj • hear the shattering of half-rhymes • i am a timebomb • stop now • what’s that sound • everybody look what’s going down • and all the timebombs • they’re all dancing to the same song • in a world full of no-ones • i am a someone • i am a timebomb • stop now • what’s that sound • everybody look what’s going down • stop now • what’s that sound • london bridge is falling down

being the true tale of a young gay man who was kicked to death outside a toilet in bradford homophobia up behind the bus-stop in the toilets off the street • there are traces of a killing on the floor beneath your feet • mixed in with the piss and beer are bloodstains on the floor • from the boy who got his head kicked in a night or two before • homophobia the worst disease • you can’t love who you want to love in times like these • in the pubs clubs and burger bars breeding pens for pigs • alcohol testosterone and ignorance and fists • packs of hunting animals roam across the town • they find an easy victim and they punch him to the ground • homophobia the worst disease • you can’t love who you want to love in times like these • the sirens of the ambulance the deadpan of the cops • chalk to mark the outline where the boy first dropped • beware the holy trinity church and state and law • for every death the virus gets more deadly than before • homophobia the worst disease • you can’t love who you want to love in times like these

like an overcrowded bus or the january rush: on being pushed i never could stand to be pushed

anarchy, love and the tension between order and chaos; anarchy, love and the desire to kick out the old and build upon its ruins. “lately i seem to walk as though i had wings – i bump into things, like someone in love” (j van heusen/j burke). “we are all looking for great passion which is at once single and plural. socially we want to create the historical conditions for a lasting passionate relationship for a pleasure the only boundary on which is the exhaustion of possibilities” (ratgeb). “we are not in the least afraid of ruins. we are going to inherit the earth. the bourgeoisie may blast and ruin their world before they leave the stage of history. but we carry a new world in our hearts.” (durutti) heaven/hell tall as houses • small as spiders • undefined this buzz inside us • tightrope walker • chaos order • i fell right into heaven/hell • devil take me • god forsake me • made my home in heaven/hell • out of ruins growing pains • wide-eyed pirates crossing bones • tightrope walker • chaos order • i fell right into heaven/hell • devil take me • god forsake me • made my home in heaven/hell • kicking giants drowned in reason • breaking old building new • tightrope walker • chaos order • i fell right into heaven/hell • devil take me • god forsake me • made my home in heaven/hell

special guest appearance on this lp by johnny trabant, heard here reading the riot act to football stadia-sized crowds (you have to imagine the attendant video gimmickry). as a voxpop evangelical liberal, he thinks it’s some wonderful post-modernist joke to be appearing on an lp entitled “anarchy”. of course, we never actually met him; his personal assisitant simply requested we send him the tapes and he did the vocal in some 72-track studio in venice beach, los angeles. love me i’m an anarchist • i’m the anti-christ • well sort of not really • it’s not big it’s not clever • and i’m quite a reasonable fella • your friendly uncle good with kids good ol’ paternalist pop • good cop bad cop good cop bad cop good cop good cop • i was a wannabe and wannabes don’t know what they want to be • i needn’t have worried ‘cos the man upstairs was looking out for me • god gave me the finger with his free hand • now i’m his left hand man • hey punk don’t call me mac • my name is johnny trabant • love me • they call me the great pretender • john noakes was my mentor • i’m a walking talking ideas man • here’s one i prepared earlier • stretch armstrong and his rubber band • edwin meese and the sex police • please mr postman post-post-modern deliver us from elvis • be-bop-a-lula my baby-baby does good culture yes • now i found what i’m looking for i find myself in another fine mess • someone muddied my waters • i lost my way but now i see • i o.d.’d on irony • i’ll rediscover god for the next lp • love me • bend me shake me anyway you want me whatever you want i’ll be your heart’s desire • black and cuddly • you want love me • pop me cork watch me pop like bubbly • hot or not you’ve got to use what you’ve got • where’s the weak spot • let me take a shot • what a turn on • does it feel lovely • love me love me • johnny johnny what for art thou • how goes victor jara • i got a stadium-sized pro rata headache • pretentious moi • the ghost of eamonn andrews smiling watching over me • i love it let’s shoot it “johnny trabba the movie” • i paid my dues i sung the blues • i’ve done pain and personal hell • pass me the phone i got calls to make • this will sell and sell • i’m as “bob roberts” to your phil ochs • talking political • so love me • love me • love me i’m a liberal • love me • freeze-frame • love me

see “the cook, the thief, his wife and her lover” (peter greenaway). sing along to “oliver” (lionel bart). georgina georgina’s cooking supper for her husband • all her friends are coming round to see the show • because the thief she calls a husband won’t be hungry • when he sees what’s on the end of his fork • georgina isn’t asking any more • and her lover isn’t asking any more • and the cook isn’t asking any more • since the thief met a bullet on the way to the floor • georgina’s got a timebomb in her stomach • she knows that any minute now it’s going to blow • with all the pain and the silence that she feeds on • with all the hurt that the bruises can’t show • georgina isn’t asking any more • and her lover isn’t asking any more • and the cook isn’t asking any more • since the thief met a bullet on the way to the floor • georgina’s got an appetite for vengeance • and she sings all the songs from “oliver” • but she won’t be wanting seconds any more • as she tightens up her grip on her trigger finger • georgina isn’t asking any more • and her lover isn’t asking any more • and the cook isn’t asking any more • since the thief met a bullet on the way to the floor

“a miracle: an event described by those to whom it was told by men who did not see it” (elbert hubbard) doh! featuring the voices of the blind slye twins

it’s 1966 and reg at his organ celebrates local lad harry roberts’ gunning down of three policemen. geoff hurst scores a hat-trick and the clown king laughs forever and ever… “they think it’s all over! it is now” (kenneth wolstenholme) blackpool rock

on the dignity of labour of those well-seasoned agit-rock and rollers, the unlikely-named “stretch armstrong and his rubber band” this year’s thing roll up roll up • the greatest show on earth • animals clowns freaks misfits contortionists • fun for all the family • currently residing in the “where are they now” file • all tied up in elastic • stubborn like weeds they’ve been here all the while • i saw the egos grow • in good working order adjustable spanner • industry junkies • regurgitated cabaret under the hammer • they were running the show • let’s hear it for this year’s thing • last year’s thing • next year’s thing • step right this way • thrills chills and spills • marvel at the daring feats • pure entertainment • karaoke sex we can spend the night together • i made a date with elvis • while someone does a runner with the group’s bread and butter • i heard the colonel sing • from a packet of twenty when will they learn • sickalongadanbert • that for one good smoke there’s nineteen that burn • i never saw the strings attached to this year’s thing • last year’s thing • next year’s thing • jump a little higher • live by fire die by fire • i am the dog in the manger • or a dodgy brown packet with suspicious-looking wires • here’s my starter for ten • behind that pane of glass your special backstage pass • hear the never-has-beens • meet the manager with his kex down and kick his arse • and watch it happen again • this time it’s this year’s thing • last year’s thing • next year’s thing • politics is this year’s thing

rock n roll politicians: more exciting flavours for the same old piss. mouthful of shit i can’t hear you ‘cos your mouth’s full of shit • do something about it • well i’m really back to basics right beside a bar • choke the double trouble big one to the joker with the card • good call • what’s the crack what’s the damage done today • from the commons to the common a banana skin away • knock it back knock it out • chuck a nightmare dart • quiet • compere on the mic turns turning to the court • putting beef vol-au-vents across the union jack • bolinger and bitter says the colonies are back • i can’t hear you ‘cos your mouth’s full of shit • do something about it • you think you’re god’s gift • you’re a liar • i wouldn’t piss on you if you were on fire • up your ronson • take a tab • with a flash of zippo light • catch the hip parade passing to the polaroids right • check the manic little rebel with a bottle in his hand • a rhyming manifesto and a butty from his mam • local lad made bad with cowboy charm • claims he doesn’t really mean every screw-’em-all barb • pass the mic • karaoke with the yesteryear stars • time to weep into your beer til the fireworks start • i can’t hear you ‘cos your mouth’s full of shit • do something about it • you think you’re god’s gift • you’re a liar • i wouldn’t piss on you if you were on fire

to the joyous, the relentless, the pleasure-seeking, the outrageous, the inspiring and the libidinously-charged. never do what you are told this coat my royal gown • a stolen hand-me-down • no need to scrape and bow • we can be heroes now • for more than just one day • here’s how • 1. look both ways when crossing roads 2. don’t wear slippers ’til you’re old and 3. never do what you are told

“i believe in making trouble. if women have any duty at all, essentially it’s to be a pain in the arse” (avital ronell). • “the pursuit of sex threatens to make good girls bad, so we usually accept the cultural standard of sexual minimalism… few partners, fewer positions, less pleasure and no change in preference. what i am suggesting here is an active pursuit of our gratification with a sense of responsibility, entitlement and enthusiasm. the good girl/bad girl distinction will fail to terrorise us and control our access to pleasure only if we set out to destroy the double standard.” (paula webster) bad dog puppy eyes puppy eyes tearing claws spitting pride • roll over! roll over! roll over! roll over! • pretty please pretty play chase away chase away • nasty nasty snapping nasty biting spitting nasty nasty • hammer hammer teeth nails sit sit sit sit • bitch won’t beg bitch can’t lick bitch can’t do those clever tricks • heel fetch run lie nasty nasty snapping nasty • see these eyes puppy eyes roll on over and die die • bad dog you bad dog you bad dog you bad dog • playful dog with trouble and spice nasty nice nasty nice • slip the lead fight fight my bark is softer than my bite • roll over roll over mock each chewing spewing mouthful • hammer hammer teeth nails bad dog bad dog • good girl pat pat bad dog smack smack • here’s a bitch who’ll give it back snap snap snap snap • puppy eyes will start to play this nasty dog will have it’s day • this is heaven • this is hell • this is living • this is tale to tell • this is drive wheel • this is cog • this is master • this is snarling dog • this is hammer • this is spanner • this is no sir • this is table manners • this is history • this is how it’s been • this is over and over and over and over again

“we should pity rather than fear them”. bollocks! anti-fascist action are at: bm 1734 • london • wc1n 3xx enough is enough open your eyes • time to wake up • enough is enough is enough is enough • give the fascist man a gunshot • trying and trying again to get this damn thing done • it can’t done • come shoot the fascist with a gun • ‘cos it’s stopping us from unity • we cannot see reality • just vanity insanity fusion cannot stand it see • no man fascist man will ever get me outta the land • so understand fusion plan to stop them with a bang • we sang and sang to make the people all unite • not fight but fight because the leaders don’t think right • you burnt us in the past you know it won’t happen again • so black and white take a stand and all try to defend all of the people and the children who are living in the past • just blast and blast don’t make the fascist man last • open your eyes • time to wake up • enough is enough is enough is enough • give the fascist man a gunshot • on and on and on you know the feeling’s so strong • so long • it’s wrong • i’m telling you it’s wrong • destruction confusion and blaming it on the colour • i wonder in horror ‘cos the people start to follow • all the leaders and the rulers who are putting up the fence • it’s dense immense and you say you’re talking sense • bull bull i want to say it full • but people on the radio you know will make a pull • so i try to tone it down to make the whole world know that the language of my violence will proceed in my show • flow flow to make the fascist man know • that unity is here and unity will grow • open your eyes • time to wake up • enough is enough is enough is enough • i want to wake up • enough is enough is enough is enough

it’s not over til the end. “the young doctor who told me this morning i was a carrier of the aids virus was visibly distressed. i smiled and told her not to worry, i had never liked christmas.” (derek jarman, 22nd dec 1986). respect to fighters, and especially here to the people who put together “diseased pariah news”, two parts gallows humour and one part righteous anger. this magazine, written by and for people who are hiv positive, proves that life doesn’t end with diagnosis. “diseased pariah news”: fog press c/o men’s support centre p o 1box 30564 oakland california 94604 usa rage hear the ghosts of ever after • yell of anger • ring of laughter • don’t go gently into the night • rage against the dying of the light