British anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba have released a lengthy statement condemning Clive Palmer, and his use of their 1997 hit ‘Tubthumping’ in a political video.
The controversial businessman —who recently announced a political comeback— posted a video on Twitter that featured a group of men singing “I get knocked down, but I get up again”.
The band responded to the video with a statement expressing their disgust. They criticised Palmer’s “redundant views on climate change, immigration and abortion.” Stating that “Tubthumping is a song written to champion the resilience of working people, not to further a billionaire’s political ambitions.”
The band also referred to Palmer as a “Donald Trump-lite egomaniac”.
Palmer and the United Party are yet to respond, and the video remains up.
I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never going to keep me down.#MakeTownsvilleGreat #3000jobs #PutPoliticsAside pic.twitter.com/gurZ5JpgwM
— Clive Palmer (@CliveFPalmer) July 17, 2018
The band have also lashed out at Palmer for plagiarising their lyrics on a series of Billboard’s in Queensland, as The Guardian reports.
The billboards feature the slogan “When we get knocked down, we get up again. Brisbane’s never gonna keep Townsville down. Go Townsville – go Clive”.
This is not the first time Chumbawamba have hit back at Australian pollies for using ‘Tubthumping’. Back in 2016, one of the bands founding members, Dunstan Bruce, took aim at a One Nation member. Read more about it here.
Watch: Chumbawamba – Tubthumping
