History Repeating

Album: Decksandrumsandrockandroll (1997)
Charted: 19
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This features vocals from veteran Welsh singer Shirley Bassey. She says she was asked to participate after Propellerhead Alex Gifford wrote the song with her in mind. She explained in the Miami New Times, November 19, 1998: "He said he was asleep, and he thought about me, and these words came out. And I asked, what's a 35-year-old man doing thinking about a grandmother? I couldn't imagine!" The Propellerheads sent a demo to Bassey, who loved it but thought it might be more appropriate for Tina Turner, but the Propellerheads persuaded her to record it, arguing they wrote it specifically for her.

    The Propellerheads said: We approached her last summer when our profile was rising and we felt confident enough to try a few mad ideas. The song was written specifically for her and she recognized we weren't taking the mickey. We couldn't expect her to come to our hovel in Bath so we booked a London studio, got the champagne and roses in and wore our best shirts."
  • This is included on the soundtrack of the 1998 film There's Something About Mary.
  • The song was used as the theme for the UK Channel Four show So Graham Norton, comedian Graham Norton's chat show, which ran from 1998 to 2002. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England

Comments: 2

  • Jaydub from CaDame Shirley Bassey has an amazing voice...just as perfect as when she recorded Goldfinger.
  • Tina from Norcross, GaI've heard this song in two places: one, during a car commercial (it says something that I can remember the song and remember it was a car commerical but can't remember the make or model of car!); and two, during Larry King's 50th anniversary special. It's an infectious beat that just won't get out of your head.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.