Chumbawamba call on Spain’s far-right Vox to stop using their best-known song

The iconic 1997 hit “Tubthumping” by the British collective Chumbawamba is at the centre of a political dispute after Spain’s far-right Vox party used the song in a social media post. The post, featuring images from a visit by Vox leader Santiago Abascal to Caspe, Aragón, accompanied a caption expressing solidarity with locals “sick of the migratory invasion.”

A Song’s Message Misappropriated

Chumbawamba has publicly condemned Vox’s use of “Tubthumping,” stating the party profoundly misunderstands the song’s intent. The band released a statement asserting the song was created as “an anthem for the underdog, for those fighting power,” and expressed dismay that Vox would employ it to advance what they describe as a “small-minded, hate-fuelled agenda.”

Did You Know? Chumbawamba’s song “Tubthumping” features the chorus “I get knocked down/But I get up again/You’re never gonna keep me down.”

Former band member Alice Nutter labeled Abascal’s post “vile and racist,” and indicated Chumbawamba aligns more closely with the Spanish government’s recent decision to regularize the status of half a million undocumented migrants and asylum seekers. The band has requested Facebook remove the video featuring their song and demanded Vox refrain from future use.

A Recurring Issue for the Band

What we have is not the first instance of Chumbawamba objecting to the use of “Tubthumping” in a politically charged context. Band member Boff Whalley previously criticized New Zealand politician Winston Peters for utilizing the song. Whalley clarified that the song celebrates the resilience of working-class individuals and has “nothing whatsoever in common with wealthy politicians with extremist anti-liberal agendas.”

Expert Insight: The appropriation of music by political groups highlights the power of cultural works to be reinterpreted and deployed in ways that diverge significantly from the artist’s original intention. This often leads to conflict, as artists seek to protect their creative expression from being associated with ideologies they oppose.

Whalley also revealed Chumbawamba previously issued a “cease and desist” notice when then-candidate Donald Trump attempted to use the song without permission. Numerous other artists, including Beyoncé, Neil Young, the White Stripes, Foo Fighters, and the estates of Leonard Cohen and Tom Petty, have also objected to Trump’s unauthorized use of their music at rallies.

The Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers experienced a similar situation in 2009 when the British National party used their song “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next” to accompany a post criticizing multiculturalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted Chumbawamba’s response?

Chumbawamba responded after Spain’s Vox party used their song “Tubthumping” to soundtrack a Facebook post criticizing migration.

What is Vox’s position on migration, according to the post?

According to the Facebook post, Vox stands with locals who are “sick of the migratory invasion.”

Has Chumbawamba faced similar issues before?

Yes, Chumbawamba has previously objected to the use of “Tubthumping” by Winston Peters and Donald Trump, and the Manic Street Preachers had a similar experience with the British National party.

As Vox faces potential scrutiny following Chumbawamba’s public statement, it is possible the party could issue a response defending their use of the song. Facebook could also remove the video at the band’s request. Further instances of artists objecting to political figures using their music without permission are also likely to occur, given the precedent established by these cases.

Chumbawamba call on Spain’s far-right Vox to stop using their best-known song | Spain