On May 27th, beloved West Country folk band The Wurzels released a new single titled ‘Wurzel Me Up’, with lyrics written by artificial intelligence.

Famed for their hits ‘The Combine Harvester’ and ‘I Am A Cider Drinker’, The Wurzels turned to AI to help craft their latest track – a bold move that merges tradition with technology. The result is a song that’s both a nod to their rural roots and a tongue-in-cheek take on modern innovation.

Since their formation in 1966, The Wurzels have had three UK top 40 albums and eight UK hit singles, carving out a unique niche with their humorous portrayals of country life and West Country culture. Their charm lies in the playful way the comedy folk band embody regional stereotypes, famously singing lines such as: “I’ve got a brand-new combine harvester and I’ll give you the key.”

Today, the band is a lively mix of founding members – frontman Pete Budd and accordionist/keyboard player Tommy Banner – alongside a younger generation of musicians: Sedge Moore, Louie Griddle, and Leigh Delamere. Together, they blend classic folk sensibilities with youthful energy.

‘Wurzel Me Up’ explores the band’s own story, celebrating their Somerset roots with lyrics about “Somerset fields” and a signature “West Country twang”. The AI-written track introduces the band members by name and offers a satirical explanation of their decision to collaborate with artificial intelligence.

 True to form, the band brings their signature humour to AI itself, dubbing it “cuttin-hedge technology” and cheekily referring to it as “Agricultural Intelligence.” Despite the technological tools used, the chorus – a raucous chant of “Wurzel me up! Ooh-aar” – is unmistakably Wurzel.

The release of ‘Wurzel Me Up’ has prompted mixed reactions among the public. While some fans applaud The Wurzels’ inventive spirit, others raise questions about authenticity and the role of AI in the creative process.

Still, the band is clear about their stance. In a statement, they joked: “as the oldest band in the land, decided to have a dabble with AI”. Following this, Pete Budd shared that they “don’t agree with plagiarism in any form without some form of remuneration and so, in this case, we have strived to only plagiarise ourselves.”

With ‘Wurzel Me Up’, The Wurzels tread the line between novelty and nostalgia, raising serious questions through creating a unique and comic track. Can AI truly capture the heart of folk music – or outdo the poetic genius of “I am a cider drinker / I drinks it all of the day”?