I Get Knocked Down by Chumbawamba Lyrics Meaning – The Resilience Anthem Deconstructed
Lyrics
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 reminds him of the good times
He sings the songs that reminds him 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 reminds him of the good times
He sings the songs that reminds him of the better times
Don’t cry for me, nextdoor neighbour
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 (We’ll be singing) but I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down (When we’re winning)
I get knocked down (We’ll be singing) but I get up again (Pissing the night away)
You’re never gonna keep me down
The late 90s witnessed a myriad of hits that encapsulated the era’s mood and zeitgeist, but few have remained as perennially urgent and endearing as Chumbawamba’s ‘Tubthumping’. Known universally for its infectious chorus, ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again’, the song surpasses its surface-level cheer to offer a deeper reflection on resilience, defiance, and the human spirit.
Although it may seem to revel in the grand tradition of British pub culture, ‘Tubthumping’ operates on a level that resonates beyond the walls of bars and the frothy heads of pints. It’s a song that has found its way into sports arenas, political rallies, and the personal soundtracks of countless individuals seeking a boost to overcome life’s hurdles.
A Toast to Tenacity: The Immortal Chorus
At its heart, the relentless repetition of ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again’ serves as a universal rallying cry, a mantra for the resilient. It encapsulates a fundamental human truth—that obstacles and setbacks are inevitable, but our responses to them define us. ‘Tubthumping’ evokes this powerful message not through melancholy or aggression, but through an upbeat tempo and infectious melody that encourage us to embrace our struggles rather than cower from them.
This chorus resonates with people from all walks of life, representing both the mundane tumbles like failing a test, as well as the monumental stumbles like recovering from a life-changing event. The song’s simplicity in lyrics belies its potent emotional effect as an anthem of hope and determination.
A Liquid Symphony: The Verses of Vice and Victory
The verses of ‘Tubthumping’, with their mentions of whiskey, vodka, lager, and cider, paint a vivid picture of the British pub scene—a microcosm of life where stories of sorrow and success are often drowned in alcohol. It’s representative of the ways people cope with the hard knocks of life, sometimes through indulgence and escapism.
Moreover, the interplay of drinking songs with memories of the ‘good times’ and ‘better times’ suggests a bittersweet nostalgia. It subtly hints that while revelry can be a temporary solace, the true path to overcoming challenges lies in the act of standing up each time we’re knocked down, rather than in the oblivion of intoxication.
The Undercurrent of Rebellion
Beyond the bravado of the main refrain, ‘Tubthumping’ reflects the anti-establishment ethos of Chumbawamba. The band’s anarchist beliefs and roots in punk culture seep into the song’s subtext, making it not only a personal anthem but also a political one. The lyrical simplicity, thus, becomes a vehicle for more complex, rebellious ideas.
It’s not just about getting up in the face of personal adversity but also about rising against oppressive systems and ideologies. The song aligns with the burn-it-down-to-build-it-up-again philosophy that many social reform movements resonate with, mirroring the tenacious fight against social injustices, and transforming the song into a chant for the underdog and the oppressed.
The Hidden Layers: Finding the Song’s Deeper Meaning
Scrutinizing ‘Tubthumping’ prompts us to uncover its layered messages. The varied interpretations highlight its complexity. To some, it’s an ode to the human spirit’s indomitable will; to others, a comment on the futility of the relentless party culture that merely masks pain.
By cloaking its broader meanings in seemingly straightforward revelry, the song captures the duality of human coping mechanisms – the desire to celebrate in spite of adversity and the need to find something, be it a song or a pint, that anchors us amidst life’s chaos.
Always Back for Another Verse: The Legacy of a Line
The memorability of ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again’ has etched ‘Tubthumping’ into popular culture. It’s a line that’s been parodied, quoted, and held up as the go-to expression of resilience, finding relevance across generations and situations. The song’s ability to connect to the fighter in everyone is a testament to its enduring legacy.
It is a rare gem that keeps on giving, empowering people to sing along, bellowing out worries and getting back on their feet, ready to face down the next knock. ‘Tubthumping’ is more than just a song; it’s become a part of our collective psyche, a piece of cultural shorthand for persistence in the face of adversity that continues to pulse with vibrancy and relevance.
