A number of Aussie artists have come together to cover classic tracks for the new ReWiggled album, a collection of covers from iconic kids’ band, The Wiggles.
Set for release on March 11th, the double album features acts such as Spacey Jane, DZ Deathrays, The Chats, Stella Donnelly, San Cisco, Emily Wurramara, Polish Club, Dami Im, Donny Benet, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Custard, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Luca Brasi, and more covering classic tracks from the band.
To promote the new record, a special ReWiggled EP has been released today, featuring the likes of The Chats covering “Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?)” while Spacey Jane takes on “D.O.R.O.T.H.Y (My Favourite Dinosaur)”.
The forthcoming album also features The Wiggles covering a number of songs, including the likes of Blondie’s “Sunday Girl”, the Dropkick Murphys’ “Shipping Up to Boston”, and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”.
It was only earlier this year that The Wiggles once again proved their worth as masters of the cover song, taking on Tame Impala’s “Elephant” for a triple j Like a Version that stunned everyone who listened. This track is also included as a sneak peek on the ReWiggled EP, alongside the band’s other covers of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and – most jarringly – The Chats’ “Pub Feed”.
The new ReWiggled album comes following a rather exciting period of time for the group, with the long-standing Wiggles lineup of Anthony Field, Simon Pryce, and Lachy Gillespie expanded to include new members Tsehay Hawkins, Evie Ferris, John Pearce, and Kelly Hamilton. Meanwhile, it was was also announced that Emma Watkins would depart The Wiggles at the end of the year.
This new project sees the current lineup joining forces with the ‘OG Wiggles’ (that is, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt, and Greg Page) to craft a project which not only celebrates the enduring nature of The Wiggles’ songbook, and also The Wiggles’ own lifetime love of music.
“It’s been really enjoyable, and also so humbling, hearing all these wonderful artists doing their versions of Wiggles songs – they’re all so very talented,” explains Wiggles founder and Blue Wiggle, Anthony Field. “And it’s been a real thrill to get back in the studio together with all the Wiggles – the current members and the OG’s – to record some cover versions of our own.
“We had so much fun doing ‘Elephant’ for Like A Version, and now we’re really excited for people to hear what we’ve cooked up for this record!”
“There were plenty of reasons ‘D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favourite Dinosaur)’ was the track we chose,” explained Spacey Jane of their own contribution. “First and foremost, we’ve accidentally stumbled upon Peppa’s insanely good Dorothy impressions, and the ad-libs really gave her space to shine.
“It was easy to re-interpret the song and comfortably make it sound like something we’d release, and we had an absolute blast putting it together in the studio. Honestly, wouldn’t be surprised if we play it live at least once or twice…”
Interestingly, the forthcoming compilation has been announced just over a year since the ABC last released a cover album of Wiggles classics, also called ReWiggled. That compilation featured Spiderbait, Jebediah, Frenzal Rhomb, Adalita, and much more also adding their own spins on beloved Wiggles tracks.
The Wiggles are also set to hit the road early next year for a series of concerts, with the newly-expanded lineup performing daytime shows, with the OG Wiggles performing evening shows for audiences aged 15 and over. Check out the full details, along with the tentative tracklisting for ReWiggled, below.
ReWiggled is out on March 11th, 2022, with pre-orders available now.
ReWiggled Tracklisting
Side One: Performed by Various Artists
Including:
DZ Deathrays – ‘Hot Potato’
Spacey Jane – ‘D.O.R.O.T.H.Y (My Favourite Dinosaur)’
Stella Donnelly – ‘Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride’
The Chats – ‘Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?)’
Emily Wurramara – ‘Dressing Up’
Polish Club – ‘Apples & Bananas’
Donny Benet – ‘Sicily (I Want to Go)’
San Cisco – ‘H.O.L.I.D.A.Y.’
Custard – ‘Do the Propeller!’
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks – ‘Say the Dance, Do the Dance’
Dami Im – ‘Big Red Car’
Luca Brasi – ‘The Shimmie Shake’
Melbourne Ska Orchestra – ‘We’re All Fruit Salad!’
+ more TBA
Side Two: Performed by The Wiggles
Including:
‘Elephant’ (original by Tame Impala)
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (original by Queen)
‘Umbrella’ (original by Rhianna)
‘Thunderstruck’ (original by AC/DC)
‘Pub Feed’ (original by The Chats)
‘Sunday Girl’ (original by Blondie)
‘Get on the Good Foot’ (original by James Brown)
‘Praise You’ (original by Fatboy Slim)
‘Brand New Key’ (original by Melanie)
‘She’s a Rainbow’ (original by The Rolling Stones)
‘Live It Up’ (original by Mental As Anything)
‘Shipping Up to Boston’ (original by Dropkick Murphys)
The Wiggles 2022 Tour Dates
Daytime shows from newly-expanded lineup, evening shows from the OG lineup
Saturday, February 12th, 2022
Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin, NT
Saturday, February 19th, 2022
Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart, TAS
Saturday, March 12th, 2022
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday, April 9th, 2022
RAC Arena, Perth, WA
Saturday, April 23rd, 2022
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Saturday, April 30th, 2022
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Saturday, May 7th, 2022
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, SA
