If you’d have asked me in 2020 what 2021 would bring, I wouldn’t have predicted more lockdowns and pandemic struggles. And I definitely wouldn’t predict The Wiggles topping the Hottest 100. I’m a firm believer that the darkness of the former made the latter happen. Triple J’s main demographic is the generation that grew up on the Wiggles, and they wanted a little bit of the joy they experienced as kids. And that’s exactly why the release of ReWiggled today is not just genius, but essential listening.
The first disc, A Tribute to the Wiggles, is crammed with Wiggles favourites reimagined by some of the country’s hottest acts. I didn’t know I needed to hear Polish Club rocking out on “Apples and Bananas” or The Chats going hard on “Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist)?” but they’re real highlights. Emma Donovan and The Putbacks put the soul in “Say The Dance, Do The Dance.” There’s such a gentle charm about Stella Donnelly’s take on “Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride” and Emily Wurramara’s “Dressing Up.” Every song is performed with such loving reverence. The acts are clearly having fun, but they’re not taking the piss. The Wiggles’ material is hallowed ground after all.
The surprises continue with the second disc, Wiggly Covers. Here the Wiggles take on more cool covers in the way only the Wiggles can. Their banging version of “Elephant” comes first, followed by such an exciting mixed bag of modern and classic material. If you thought taking on Tame Impala came from left field, just wait until you hear them belting out hits from The Chats, Fatboy Slim, and Rihanna. They bring an innocence to Melanie Safka’s “Brand New Key.” And while I wasn’t sure how the Wiggles would sound on the Dropkick Murphys’, “Shipping Up to Boston” is a perfect fit for Captain Feathersword.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many moments when I thought to myself “This is absolutely bonkers.” And it really is. But it also makes perfect sense. ReWiggled is just the kind of beautiful bonkers we need in our lives right now. I can imagine plenty of young families having this album on regular rotation but just as many kid-free folks like me cranking out too. Why should parents have all the fun? Could the Wiggles have another number one on their hands? I don’t doubt it.
Images used with permission from Revolutions per Minute