If you don't have kids, or if yours grew up a long time ago, chances are you haven't gotten ready to Wiggle in a while, but grab your coloured skivvy because The Wiggles are back with a bit of a different beat. ReWiggled doesn't feature Jeff fast asleep, or Murray playing his guitar, instead a bunch of Aussie artists have taken to the recording studio to rework some Wiggles' classics in time for their 20h anniversary.
Check out the full track listing to see what Wiggly action you can get up to: The Living End - Hot Potato
Washington - The Monkey Dance Jebadiah - Getting Strong Sarah Blasko - I Love it When it Rains Architecture in Helsinki - Wiggly Party Spiderbait - Rock-A-Bye Your Bear Bluejuice - Wake Up Jeff!
Frenzal Rhomb - Captain's Magic Buttons Clare Bowditch - Georgia's Song The Snowdroppers - Wags the Dog
Busby Marou - Dressing Up
Adalita - Get Ready to Wiggle
Papa VS Pretty - Can You (Point Your Fingers and do the Twist?)
The Audreys - Cowboys and Cowgirls
Dead Letter Chorus - Wiggle Bay
Oh Mercy - Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car
Angie Hart - Our Boat is Rocking on the Sea
Sons of Rico - Shaky Shaky
Steve Lane and the Autocrats - Fruit Salad
Paul Greene - Henry's Spinning
Sampology - The Wiggles Mash Up
Each song has been adapted to the style of the band, but with the same memorable lyrics. Bands like Architecture in Helsinki almost seem destined for this gig, with their already strong love affair with bells, xylophones, and hand clapping, but others like The Living End and Frenzal Rhomb prove this is no ordinary cover album. It is a fitting tribute to the brightly coloured band, showing that it isn't only the under 5s who enjoy some Wiggly time.
ReWiggled joins a host of other tribute albums featuring new Aussie talent taking a different look at some classic songs. She Will Have Her Way was a popular release from 2005 which saw Australian and New Zealand female artists cover the well known songs of honorary Aussies Niel and Tim Finn. In 2010 He Will Have His Way was released, this time with male artists in the spotlight, and the two were combined in They Will Have Their Way. The ABC's Triple J radio station also has a compilation of covers up its sleeve, in the form of the six Like a Version albums. Songs from all around the world are reworked by Australian and International artists.
So perhaps tribute, not imitation, is the most sincere form of flattery. ReWiggled brings new life to these children's classics, so that everyone can enjoy them. It may take your little ones a while to get used to Spiderbait singing Rock-A-Bye Your Bear, but at least you'll get a bit more variety when children's CDs are the only thing that make it into the car.
The album is available from ABC Stores, or online, so make sure you pick up a copy soon. Proudly share your love for one of Australia's most successful musical groups.
If you're a fan of Triple J and ABC Compilation albums then you might also want to check out the upcoming Nick Cave tribute tour, Straight to You. Featuring Bertie Blackman, Kram, Lisa Mitchell, Muscles, Time Rogers, Urthboy, and more, paying tribute to another great Australian name.