When I first heard of this song way back before during my grade school days, I really just could not resist singing along to the lines of this song by Chumbawamba. Such is the killer property that Tubthumping has. The song’s strongest suit would be its very irresistible chorus (I get knocked down. But I get up again! You’re never going to keep me down!) alongside two of the best lines that I have ever heard: the line with the alcoholic references which is “He drinks a whiskey drink. He drinks a vodka drink. He drinks a lager drink.“ and the line which features very smooth female vocals “Pissing the night away. Pissing the night away!“

This song really just hits the spot. Tubthumping may have been included in Rolling Stone’s list of 20 Most Annoying Songs but I honestly think the song is one of the best that I have ever heard. The lyrics are absolutely smart – they can be memorized by the casual listener in a short matter of time. The musical arrangement is great as well. It is as if the song was really made as a sports chant albeit a chant that has gone the Pop route.

What made the song really successful (it appeared on the World Cup ’98 video game and on TV shows as well) are the facts that it just captures and lightens at the same time the human condition and its silliness in nature. Getting back up despite adversity, this song told and excelled at it. The beat was perfect for gatherings, I tell you. The song had it all.

All in all, I simply found Tubthumping to be too irresistible and charming all because of the chorus.

Genre: Rock
Date Released: August 11, 1997
Label: EMI