Chumbawamba is a rock band that started from humble beginnings in 1982. A commitment to quality has pushed their music to front-of-the-room, anti-consumerism, anti-war, animal rights, human rights, and anti-government messages. Less small and responsible government.
Success risked destroying everything they stood for, as many fans of the genre found the message more important than the music and expected band members to lead a certain lifestyle. It’s hard to be true to yourself when so many people want to make you your image.
The musicians who made up the band came from an anarchist-punk band background. The flavor did not leave their music for years. Still, Chumbawamba was never a purely anarchist band, sometimes called peace punk.
Their music has always been difficult to classify. Folk music plays a serious role in a large percentage of their songs. Chumbawamba can go from soft pop rock to hard rock in one album (ring with Raymond) Or offer a complete album of pleasant folk music (song and scrap).
The irreverent was always present in Chumbawamba’s creations and their full image shhh album. Shhh wasn’t the only album to contain irreverence, by the way. If you are sensitive to foul language and difficult themes, you will have a hard time listening to Chumbawamba.
Anarchist-punk has never been known for mass appeal. Often times, the subgenre’s music was crude to the majority, again placing more emphasis on the content of the message and even the lifestyle of the musicians. Chumbawamba rose above these limitations and produced music at the highest level.
Over the years, they honed their artistic skills. The message was always important, but now they could reach a wider audience. Chumbawamba was released while sending a strong anti-Nazi message when Australia elected a Nazi apologist. It is enoughTheir first charting single. Chumbavamba also followed Day of the Nazi’s deathSung a cappella as a warning that madness will never be fully defeated as it rears its ugly head again and again.
Lifestyle is an important part of anarchic music culture. Intense music can gain a passionate but limited following. Chumbawamba broke the rules and found it difficult to make choices if they remained relevant.
popular vs good
Chumbawamba had music too good to go unheard. They also knew that if their message was important, it was better to be heard than to conform to the norms of the genre. Such thinking has also alienated current fans. It was a risk.
Famous record companies wanted a part of the up and coming Chumbawamba. EMI Records, a previous target of Chumbawamba’s criticism, signed the band. With a record label, Chumbawamba was ready for prime time. Very prime time.
Fans immediately reacted negatively. But Chumbawamba responded with their only top 10 hit, Tubbumping. Soon, sports events around the world will be heard by fans chanting:
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You’re never going to hold me back
This was the moment when the members of Chumbawamba were going to undergo their true moral test. Would they stay true to their message or take the money and run? Will they sell? Is it okay to have money and still have a minimalist, frugal, anti-consumerism message?
This blog strongly believes in having financial wealth while being less influenced by consumer lifestyles. We believe that more things do not buy happiness. We don’t believe that success is selling our message. And Chumbawamba could be our boisterous alter ego.
How did Chumbawamba respond to success?
Five years after they became a household name, they offered up to $100,000 to use GM will pass along From their WYSIWYG album. Chumbawamba donated the entire amount to an organization that used the money to campaign against GM. Their message of anti-consumerism seems to have been intact. The fans forgave.
In 2007, they released theirs Univ An album with a message of massive anti-consumerism. They even had a song called “Buy Nothing for the Day” (traditionally the Friday after Thanksgiving in the US) called, you guessed it, buy nothing day. And it’s a pretty good song. Of course, Chumbawamba and EMI had already parted company.
To reduce Chumbawamba’s moral fiber, they refused to use $1.5 million from Nike. Tubbumping.
Be honest with yourself
You might be tempted to think that Chumbawamba’s behavior is new or rare. Well, it’s rare, but it’s been going on for thousands of years.
The Stoics, from the early years of philosophy, were mostly wealthy people. Don’t mistake this for Stoicism only appealing to the wealthy. What comes down to us in history also includes a certain survivalist bias. Ordinary people with the same philosophy did not write about their personal thoughts at all. Most of them could not read or write at all.
Still, all those rich guys had something important to add to the quality of life. Rich as they were, they still practiced poverty, our version of anti-consumerism and frugality. And life fully understood is short. If you don’t leave money, you end up leaving money for an apartment six feet under.
Another important point is that it is more difficult to talk when you have serious money. It’s easy to be frugal when you’re poor because it’s forced upon you. But accumulating financial wealth and realizing how easily it can be lost is another matter. It is difficult, as most modern people know, to give up something that is so easy to buy.
Fame and fortune are immutable beasts. Still, there is nothing wrong with acquiring wealth when the opportunity presents itself. Chumbawamba was not sold. They made beautiful (and fun) music and made good money in the process. They continued to criticize the consumerist lifestyle and any behavior that undermined the common man. They lived by their principles.
For 2000 years and more, the Stoics have been reminding us that it is good to have wealth as long as we don’t let our possessions own us. A display of wealth usually indicates a poor relationship with money. The ending is often very bad. Take the lesson and learn.
The price of principles
Chumbawamba wanted to get their message across. they did.
The members of Chumbawamba wanted to get coin from their work. They did it honestly, without sacrificing their principles, regardless of what their opponents said.
But principles have a price.
Several members of the group were interviewed in a documentary film made on Chumbawamba. It was revealed that some members of the band hoped they would be more than a one-hit wonder.
For people with high principles, there is still a deep desire to succeed. Like Chumbawamba, bloggers and other authors who spread the word about frugal living, minimalism, and early retirement want to be recognized for their efforts. The work is hard but fun. And yet, at the end of the day, it’s the sound of the applause that causes more than anything else.
Chumbawamba had a brief moment in the sun and earned enough money to see them comfortably through the rest of their lives, if fortune favored them. Yes, they still stood by their message in supporting the working people of our community. Their support for the working class never wavered, and their disdain for the upper crust never diminished. It’s in their music from day one to finish.
What can you tell me about yourself?
What are your principles? Are you living a financially responsible life, even if you now have financial wealth?
The lure of financial wealth is relentless. Demanding attention and adoration from those “under you” is very common among the financially wealthy. Did you rise above such behavior?
I often listen to Chumbawamba’s music on YouTube. For the record, they give away all their music for free on Youtube. Another form of life in their philosophy. A message is more important than a dollar.
I laugh while enjoying Chumbawamba’s music. They sing some really wild material. Often they also make me think.
Financial wealth is easier today than at any time in history. We are destiny in many ways. Gratitude should be the primary attitude.
We can remain true to ourselves and our beliefs while acquiring and possessing wealth, even when it is enormous. Use gifts for good. (And go to Chumbawamba on YouTube. It’s fun music and what your favorite accountant listens to while working on numbers.)
