Song Stories: The Wombats: Greek Tragedy

The Wombats had been around for eight years by the time 'Glitterbug' was released and they had more than enough bangers. Their debut album 'The Wombats Proudly Present A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation' had given them three hits that any band would be proud of: 'Let's Dance to Joy Division', 'Moving to New York' and 'Kill the Director'. 

Three songs that still soundtrack indie nights the length and breath of the UK fans. With their second album released four years later 'Techno Fan', 'Jump Into The Fog' and 'Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves) gave the band further traction but the second single from 'Glitterbug' proved and continues to prove The Wombats ace. 

A perfect blend of upbeat instrumentation and dark melancholic lyrics. Something that The Wombats have become proficient in throughout their career. From the very first notes, 'Greek Tragedy' hooks the listener with dreamy synths, an infectious drum beat, and an anthemic chorus that begs to be sung along to. The track represents a shift in The Wombats' sound, incorporating more electronic influences while maintaining their indie rock roots. The band, known for their high-energy guitar-driven tracks, took a more refined approach with this song, blending pulsating synth melodies with layered production to create a dynamic and immersive listening experience.

Lyrically, 'Greek Tragedy' paints a picture of a toxic, all-consuming love affair spiraling out of control. The title itself is a nod to the dramatic and catastrophic nature of ancient Greek tragedies, where fate often leads to inevitable doom. The song’s verses detail the intensity of a relationship that teeters between passion and destruction, a recurring theme in many of The Wombats’ songs.
Lines like “I love this feeling, but I hate this part” and “She hits like ecstasy” reflect the push-and-pull dynamic of infatuation—intoxicating yet damaging. 

Nearly a decade after its release, 'Greek Tragedy' remains one of The Wombats’ most beloved tracks. Its hypnotic blend of synth-heavy indie rock, emotionally charged lyrics, and an unforgettable melody make it a song that continues to captivate fans both old and new. In 2021, the track saw a resurgence in popularity thanks to a remix by Oliver Nelson, introducing it to a new generation of listeners and proving its timeless appeal. The song also experienced a viral revival on TikTok, where users creatively incorporated it into various trends and edits. 

The Wombats are now six albums into their career, and have made the live jump into arenas. Having completed the first run of sold out arena shows, and having announced a further six UK & Ireland dates for December 2025.

Within these arena shows 'Greek Tragedy' has been used as the final song of the encore. With the band dropping a load of balloons into the audience, and watching the pandemonium insue. With 'Greek Tragedy' The Wombats have got a crossover hit, a hit that due to TikTok and a remix has been given a new lease of life and introduced The Wombats to a whole new generation of fans.

The Wombats aren't relying on the past to sell out these shows though, the band have continued to release new music, and their latest record 'Oh the Ocean' has some brilliant songs on it. Including 'Blood on the Hospital Floor' and 'Can't Say No'. 

They are also one the best live bands in the UK. I've seen them twice, the first time at Neighbourhood Weekender in 2021, where they played just underneath the headliner, who happened to be Catfish & the Bottlemen. The Wombats should have headlined that day. One band had a shocker, the other played one of the best festival performances I've ever seen. We then saw them a year later in Birmingham's O2 Academy, on the 'Fix Yourself, Not the World Tour' and were again blown away. 

This latest tour is testament to just how brilliant The Wombats are, they are one of the hardest working bands, and they've got songs that now span generations. Whether it's 00s indie kids blasting out 'Kill the Director' or an 18 year old who found 'Greek Tragedy' on TikTok, it's a brilliant time to be a Wombats fan.

Thank you for reading.

Jack