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Propellerheads — History Repeating (w/ Shirley Bassey)
Album: Decksandrumsandrockandroll
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3446









Released: 1998
Length: 3:55
Plays (last 30 days): 3
The word is about - there's something evolving
Whatever may come - the world keeps revolving
They say the next big thing is here
That the revolution's near
But to me it seems quite clear
That it's all just a little bit of history repeating

The newspapers shout - a new style is growing
But it don't know if it's coming or going
There is fashion - there is fad
Some is good - some is bad
And the joke is rather sad
That it's all just a little bit of history repeating

And I've seen it before
And I'll see it again
Yes, I've seen it before
Just little bits of history repeating

Some people don't dance if they don't know who's singing
Why ask your head? It's your hips that are swinging
Life's for us - to enjoy
Woman, man - girl and boy
Feel the pain - feel the joy
And side-step the little bits of history repeating
Just little bits of history repeating

And I've seen it before
And I'll see it again
Yes, I've seen it before
Just little bits of history repeating
Comments (406)add comment
Okay, folks, you have to admit. She is most definitely channeling Ethel Merman there.
Excellent, timeless song; so good to hear it here on RP, especially now, in this particularly stressful time in History. 20 years ago I read The Lives of the Twelve Caesars by Seutonius, written in 121 A.D., and it scared the hell out of me. He chronicled the 12 rulers leading up to the fall of Rome. Among the more shockingly parallel trends that recurred as themes during that period was that vanity and social obsession reached unprecedented heights, and overshadowed almost everything else -- just as today! and I seem to recall that he wrote, concerning a certain very prominent and powerful official, "...Regardless of his admirable skills as an orator, he should never again be allowed to be seen in public in sandals, for shame of his unsightly hammer-toes." A glance at the news these days makes me fear that it's all just a little bit of History repeating... TWO freaking MILLENNIA later, and, well, HERE we are!
Happy Birthday Shirley Bassey!
This mash-up equals KLF + Tammy !!  The diva from Tiger Bay ;D
i think i first heard this back in 1998 and i was hooked. love it. 
Bill youโ€™re brilliant. War by Edwin Starr followed by History Repeating by Propellerheads. Big thumbs up!!
 arserocket wrote:

SB - 10

PHs - 10

Overall 20 out of 10



Loving your numbers!!
SB - 10

PHs - 10

Overall 20 out of 10
Shirley Bassey - 10
Remixes - 0
Overall - 5.  

โ‰ˆ:o(


 penn07 wrote:

Dreadfull voice



Legendary voice. Check her live performance of Goldfinger. She's got her style and it's amazing.
 penn07 wrote:

Garbage she couldnt ding here.


Nearly.  Keep trying.
Dreadfull voice
Garbage she couldnt ding here.
This was starting out like Radio Citizen "The Hop" for a second.
Feels like it should precede or follow on with All Seeing I - Walk Like A Panther ๐Ÿ‘
I love Shirley Bassey's voice.
 Jelani wrote:
I'd like to hear her do a duet of this , or something, with Bjork.
I think that would be awesome - two contrasting growling women.{#Angel} 


Had to stop and say that I totally agree. That would be awesome! I like the way you think.   
 sajitjacob wrote:

I just realized Graham Norton's show is >20 years old. I was in the audience for an early episode it was Carrie Fischer's first appearance on the show. 




Loved that show.  Then it became a bland format for advertising current movies.
I got this CD when it came out and played it from start to finish for years. The whole thing is great!
I just realized Graham Norton's show is >20 years old. I was in the audience for an early episode it was Carrie Fischer's first appearance on the show. 
 Tamaracktour2020 wrote:

Can't you just see Austin Powers jiving to this!  Oh Baby!




Absolutely! Groovy Baby!!
Just ridiculously good. As expected.
Very "Punny" name for the album... 
Can't you just see Austin Powers jiving to this!  Oh Baby!
Bill just read my mind... I was watching the black and white video of this tune and was hoping RP was going to play it.  Cool 
Just nasty; that's a 9 then.
 Canadese wrote:
I'd love to hear Shirley Bassey again singing the theme from 'Goldfinger'
 
Interesting comment, listening to this song made me think that it sounded like a Bond theme...


Deliciously quirky and enjoyable. 
loved hearing Shirley Bassey again!
so high rating so low plays?
La vie est un รฉternel recommencement...
Swinging, baby!
I'd love to hear Shirley Bassey again singing the theme from 'Goldfinger'
You can repeat this history all you like. Love this tune.
 Springbok84 wrote:
Really enjoyed listening to this.

 
Same here!!  Not sure if I've heard it before, although if I have it wasn't memorable.  Today though, while sifting through 100+ cases at work, this was a great way to keep the grove going.  Long Live RP and these oddball gems BnR pull out now and again! 
Really enjoyed listening to this.
Wow! havn't heard that track for years..... Love Shirley and the Prop Heads.

Good job diggin around the vault  to find that one!
Dame Shirl occupies true godlike status in our home and in my heart.  Unfortunately, she was part of a show on the tellybox the other day and it was a car crash.  It was clear that she should have stopped a while back and bowed out gracefully whilst still at the top of her game.  I could have cried with embarrassment for her.  Why can't these celebs know when to stop?  Surely she's not short of a bob or two. 
I remember this song well from "There's something about Mary".  Some pretty interesting music in that movie actually.
 ChrisVIII wrote:
Has she sung one of James Bond's theme ? Somehow her voice reminds me of it...
 
Three of them: Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever and Moonraker.
'a little bit'
๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘Œ
 
 ChrisVIII wrote:
Has she sung one of James Bond's theme ? Somehow her voice reminds me of it...

This song here is energizing and makes me feel like dancing. I love that kind of music, I haven't known those times but it seems to me I would have had more fun going out and dancing on that than on current disco / dance "hits".

 
Well yes she did sing "GoldFinger" {#Bounce}
 ChrisVIII wrote:
Has she sung one of James Bond's theme ? Somehow her voice reminds me of it...

This song here is energizing and makes me feel like dancing. I love that kind of music, I haven't known those times but it seems to me I would have had more fun going out and dancing on that than on current disco / dance "hits".

 
LOL, checking the date, I see it's only from 1998 ?! Well, I've known that time but it wasn't what was playing in clubs or at parties ! Clearly I was missing something...
I just remember this as background music in There's Something About Mary.  Made me laugh today when I heard it.
Has she sung one of James Bond's theme ? Somehow her voice reminds me of it...

This song here is energizing and makes me feel like dancing. I love that kind of music, I haven't known those times but it seems to me I would have had more fun going out and dancing on that than on current disco / dance "hits".
Oh my, Ms. Basey, your voice, your interpretation, your swing ... God bless you! {#Cheers}
Some people don't dance if they don't know who's singing.
 joetekubi wrote:
Shirley Bassey's voice evokes an era from long ago, and the music fits perfectly.  Inspired lunacy and a nice groove also!

 
Ditto.
David Sedaris on lead vocals?
 ddog wrote:
{#Propeller} {#Propeller} {#Propeller}

 
{#Roflol}{#Roflol}{#Roflol}
I would love to hear Lucille #2 (Austero, that is) covering this... {#Drunk}
Anyone want to Dance, this is awesome stuff Billy Boy!
Shirley Bassey's voice evokes an era from long ago, and the music fits perfectly.  Inspired lunacy and a nice groove also!
This will always remind me of a place in Fukui; a funky party dive called "Propeller," with black light and bead curtains; a friend was teaching in that town... There was a festival going on, so I drove up from Noto, and we proceeded to gather an entourage of locals, Peruvians, and Brazilians, and the beer and sake flowed, and lo and behold, the groove in Propeller peaked when they played THIS!
This works for me !
{#Propeller} {#Propeller} {#Propeller}
 JBarDom wrote:
Uncomparable Madam Bassey.

 
I think you'll find it's "Dame Shirley"...Love this song...abso efn lutley. 
{#Bananasplit}
Uncomparable Madam Bassey.
 GarageDragon wrote:
Is it just me or does she sound a bit like Peewee Herman?
 
I agree--but (1) that's a good thing in my book, and (2) she does in a good way!
 GarageDragon wrote:
Is it just me or does she sound a bit like Peewee Herman?
 
It's probably you, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Shirley Bassey was an influence on Pee Wee's singing style.
Great song, great album.  A few other ones RP should add to their playlist.... at minimum  On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
nice to hear Shirley again, great voice....{#Dance}
a powerful funky groovy song
cool too 
{#Bananasplit}Perfect wakeup music! {#Bananasplit}
LOVE Shirley Bassey, but this just doesn't work for me.... I HATE that!
 
{#Bananajam}{#Bananapiano}
Shirley Bassey, I love you.  ("That's Dame Shirley Bassey to you, unclehud.  And stop calling me.")

Dame Shirley Bassey
Where's that dancing cat?
 GarageDragon wrote:
Is it just me or does she sound a bit like Peewee Herman?
 
totally
Is it just me or does she sound a bit like Peewee Herman?
..how could y'all let me rate this one at only a 7-?!?..i'm very disappointed in you folks..9, minimum..

:P
 Hannio wrote:


My daughter has perfect pitch.  Which is good since she is a middle school choir teacher.
 
bet it is often torture for her too though.
Wanna dance!
I miss a lot this band, the album is a great big-beat example
damn, i love this one! a great groove.
 
.....to say it with romeo´....
....everybody in my head is dancing......smiley
I like that song. {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Motor}{#Bananajam}
Could not possibly say why, but I kinda like this.........{#Drummer}

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpqYPBi6iHI        The original Black & White take..


That little baby scratch with the horn sample during the chorus gets me every time!  Damn these guys were top notch! {#Propeller}

Using a "core" bouncy ball as my desk chair. This song is perfection! :)
 arserocket wrote:
Wow - this keeps me right in the zone when mucking out pigs! 
 

You keep the pigs in your SUV?

And on a different note - Great set, Bill.
Wow - this keeps me right in the zone when mucking out pigs! 
Love, love, love this song!
 SinisterDexter wrote:
Wow, Albert King, followed by Nina Simone, followed by Shirley Bassey. What a set.
 
Yeah!  Wow, I'm loving it.

Bill's ON FIRE this afternoon, just like this album cover!!  Marvin Gaye, Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, Tom Petty, rockin' Cowboy Junkies, Jeff Beck, and now this!  schweet ...


Goldfinger meets Ocean's 11. Love it. 
Wow, Albert King, followed by Nina Simone, followed by Shirley Bassey. What a set.
Something About Mary.
Loved this song then and glad to hear it so long later here.
 
Top tune. Takes me back. Pretty decent album too. two thumbs up.
Love the James Bond Goldfinger song!
Sure is fun ain't it
Shirley Bassey has some serious pipes...
 Cynaera wrote:
Actually, she's right on key - it's the vibrato in her voice that throws people off.  She hits the note, but her vibrato goes about a quarter-note above and below the note, so it's really distracting. (True confession: I was told by my music teacher that I had perfect pitch. I didn't know what that was, so he said, "Hum what you think is a middle C." I shrugged and hummed, and then he hit a middle "C" on the piano, and the tones matched. I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it now, but back when I was younger and less jaded, all things seemed possible.)  Shirley Bassey reaffirms my faith in the human voice, and the power of discernment.
 

My daughter has perfect pitch.  Which is good since she is a middle school choir teacher.
OMG - I knew I recognized that voice! Sublime.
Such an unlikely combination that works so perfectly.
Great tune, big vocals, perfect for a Friday
Funky and fun.

{#Tongue}
 Alexandra wrote:

This song just makes me want to put on a mini-skirt and long white go-go boots and dance on some high-up platform in a trendy retro jazz nightclub.


 

hey don't let us stop you...
 Alexandra wrote:

This song just makes me want to put on a mini-skirt and long white go-go boots and dance on some high-up platform in a trendy retro jazz nightclub.


 
Please, only as long as you can still kick it! ;)

This song just makes me want to put on a mini-skirt and long white go-go boots and dance on some high-up platform in a trendy retro jazz nightclub.


ah, a groove to make my day.

 crockydile wrote:

Keep eating out, watching TiVo and listening to your iPod, everything is fine....{#Rolleyes}
 

So,  you mean to say we should chop off Steve Jobs' head with a guillotine?   A show trial for Jose Andres?
I'm not joking...and don't call me Shirley..
That old Hammond ....
Sounds like something from a 60's James Bond movie.
 hippiechick wrote:
So sick of this song, and she sings so off key, it drives me mad!
  Actually, she's right on key - it's the vibrato in her voice that throws people off.  She hits the note, but her vibrato goes about a quarter-note above and below the note, so it's really distracting. (True confession: I was told by my music teacher that I had perfect pitch. I didn't know what that was, so he said, "Hum what you think is a middle C." I shrugged and hummed, and then he hit a middle "C" on the piano, and the tones matched. I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it now, but back when I was younger and less jaded, all things seemed possible.)  Shirley Bassey reaffirms my faith in the human voice, and the power of discernment.


Groooooovy. Shirley is wonderful.
So sick of this song, and she sings so off key, it drives me mad!
 cc_rider wrote:

I'll take a free bottle in front of me, thanks.
 
Mister Wizard!!!
Something about Shirley and that dirty grungy hammond chord strikes.



Something about Shirley
 Cynaera wrote:

It only takes one-eighth of a second for a stingray to incapacitate its prey. Guessing that's the same amount of time for you to get bored with a song.  Um, and sorry about your whatever not working anymore. I recommend B6, Viagra, Alka-Seltzer, or a pre-frontal lobotomy.

 
{#Roflol}{#Clap} Nice troll squashing. I'd sure like to see you two get together over a beer or five - that would be a combustible, but perhaps surprisingly compatible, combination :o)


I'd like to hear her do a duet of this , or something, with Bjork.
I think that would be awesome - two contrasting growling women.{#Angel} 
Just for grins I got this on vinyl. Now I've got a pretty decent rig, which includes a Rotel turntable and Shure V15 VmX cartridge, and it takes a lot to rattle it. Well, this album has so much bass dialed into it that during this cut—whoops! There goes the tone arm! No the LP wasn't warped, just chock full of LF mischief. Amazing. Great album BTW.
This one is worthy of the attention of the intelligent minority.