“All You Zombies,” Then And Now: How The Hooters’ classic found new life

In the summer of 1985, an unusual song fusing psychedelic atmospheres, arena rock hooks, and religious imagery climbed the Billboard charts. It was “All You Zombies,” the first single from The Hooters’ major label debut Nervous Night, and it was a breakout moment for the Philadelphia rock band.

This summer, the song gets a new version, recorded by Philadelphia funk favorites Swift Technique with a special featured vocalist – house music icon Lady Alma.

It’s the latest chapter in a long life for a classic Philadelphia anthem, and we explored it in a special conversation for the WXPN Local Show. Rob Hyman, the co-songwriter and keyboardist of The Hooters, takes us on a deep dive into the song’s origins and its many versions over the years — he jokingly called “All You Zombies” “the song that wouldn’t die.”

We also hear from Lady Alma about her first encounters with the Philly hit when she was a high school student at Girard Academic Music Program in South Philly. Jake Leschinsky of Swift Technique and producer Rick Friedrich talk about their new version took shape, and the group reflects on the song’s mystique and its relevance in 2025.

Swift Technique’s cover of “All You Zombies” launches an ongoing series where the band collaborates with Philly peers and icons to cover classic songs from Philly music history; learn more at their Instagram, @swifttechnique.