The Wiggles have been an absolute staple for countless Kiwi and Aussie kids for decades.
We’ve all belted out “Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car” and ‘Hot Potato’ from our car seats - and didn’t miss a beat, even as we hit adulthood.
But tell me why The Wiggles have gone and changed the iconic Big Red Car, upsetting childhoods all across the Tasman?
Nothing could have prepared me for what's been uploaded to their YouTube channel recently: The 'Big Red Ute Country Music Song For Kids'.
“Rev up your engines, The Wiggles have a fun new set of wheels! Hop on board the 'Big Red Ute',” they wrote under the video.
Kitted out with rainbow rims, four of the eight Wiggles jumped into the bright red Toyota Hilux, fitted with the licence plate ‘BUUTE’.
Singing “Vroom! Vroom! Toot! You Buute!”, filled me with a type of rage and heartbreak that’s indescribable.
WHAT HAPPENED TO "TOOT TOOT CHUGGA CHUGGA BIG RED CARRRR"??
My first trip to Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, circa 2009 - I spent most of my time at Wiggle's World that day.
I know it might sound a little dramatic, but I’m dead serious - this is my last straw when it comes to childhood shows messing with the magic that made them so special for a whole generation.
As a lifelong-fan-turned-proud-auntie, I was all set to introduce my seven-month-old nephew to the original Wiggles magic... but I’m feeling betrayed.
Eight-year-old Sophie, convinced she and the magical talking Flora Door are welcoming MTV to her crib!
You know that feeling you got when you sold your first car, like you were handing over your first born child to a total stranger… well, it feels oddly similar to that.
While many Kiwis have grown up and decided that the dream is to own a Toyota Hilux, my dream was to own the apple red Volkswagen Beetle convertible that could “travel near and travel far”.
I had to share the news with the office, and immediately knew I wasn’t alone when my co-worker Jacob’s jaw hit the floor - let's hear from him now:
Hiya - Jacob, self-proclaimed number one Wiggles fan here! I grew up with The Wiggles - they had a big impact on my childhood.
I literally watched ‘em on TV till I was six or seven years old. My third birthday party was 100% Wiggles themed, from the party hats to the table decorations.
Three-year-old Jacob on the Big Red Car at Queensgate in Wellington, after harassing his grandma for $2 to ride.
When I heard the OG Wiggles (Greg, Murray, Jeff and Anthony) were reuniting for a 16+ "adult" show in Auckland, I knew I had to be there.
I grabbed tickets the minute they went on sale, and it was an absolute Hoot, Toot, Chugga, Chugga, and some!
23-year-old Jacob, heading to the OG Wiggles 16+ Adult concert, rocking a DIY screen-printed red Wiggles tee for the occasion.
Everyone in Spark Arena was an OG fan, and some were even accompanied by their parents who grew up playing The Wiggles for their kids, which was very sweet..
‘Big Red Car’, ‘Point your Fingers and Do the Twist’, ‘Wake up Jeff’, ‘Play your Guitar with Murray’, I knew 'em ALL!
I left with no voice and a very full heart, my inner child was absolutely buzzing.
Six-year-old Jacob at Wiggles World in Dreamworld, Gold Coast. Fast forward 17 years, and he’s back in the same spot, soaking up all the nostalgia.
If they'd played this new song at the OG fan concert, it would’ve been a dead silent crowd for sure.
So, from two very passionate adult fans, this is our plea to save The Big Red Car from going to the scrap yard for good.
