The British pop collective Chumbawamba has issued a forceful statement demanding that Spain's far-right Vox party immediately cease using their iconic 1997 hit single Tubthumping to promote what they describe as a "small-minded, hate-fuelled agenda." This controversy erupted after Vox leader Santiago Abascal used the song to soundtrack a social media post attacking migration during a recent visit to Caspe, a town in north-eastern Spain.
Misappropriation of an Anthem for the Underdog
In a Facebook post last Friday, Abascal shared images from his Caspe visit with a caption stating, "Great welcome yesterday in Caspe … for a street press conference. The locals are sick of the migratory invasion. And we stand with them." The post was accompanied by Tubthumping, a song famous for its defiant chorus: "I get knocked down/But I get up again/You're never gonna keep me down." Chumbawamba responded by clarifying that the song was intended as an anthem for marginalised groups fighting against power structures, not for political movements they oppose.
Band's Strong Condemnation and Actions Taken
The band released a statement expressing their disgust, saying, "It sickens us that Spain's far-right Vox party would use the song to promote their small-minded, hate-fuelled agenda." They have formally requested Facebook to remove the video from its platform and have demanded that Vox never use the song again, emphasising it as "a song of hope and community." Former member Alice Nutter reinforced this stance, labelling Abascal's post as "vile and racist" and aligning the collective with the Spanish government's recent move to regularise undocumented migrants.
History of Political Misuse of Music
This incident is not the first time Chumbawamba has had to address the misappropriation of Tubthumping. Last year, member Boff Whalley criticised New Zealand politician Winston Peters for using the song, stating in a Guardian article that it celebrates working-class resilience and has "nothing whatsoever in common with wealthy politicians with extremist anti-liberal agendas." Whalley also noted that the band had to issue a cease-and-desist order when Donald Trump attempted to use the song during his political activities.
Broader Context of Musicians Protesting Political Use
Chumbawamba's protest joins a wider trend of musicians objecting to their work being used by political figures without consent. In recent years, artists such as Beyoncé, Neil Young, and the Foo Fighters have spoken out against Donald Trump using their songs at rallies. Similarly, the Welsh band Manic Street Preachers discovered in 2009 that their anti-fascist song If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next was used by the British National Party, highlighting ongoing tensions between music and politics.
The band's firm stance underscores the importance of artistic integrity and the rejection of hate-driven narratives, reinforcing their legacy as advocates for social justice through music.
