The lyrics to "Rude World" by Page & Plant are a commentary on the state of the world and the people living in it. The song starts off by addressing someone who has taken a stand against the world that is ruled by man. The lyrics suggest that the person is proud of themselves for standing up to this oppressive system, but also implies that they may be naïve to think they can make a significant change.

The metaphor comparing the person to Muhammad Ali further emphasizes their fighting spirit and determination to challenge the status quo. However, the song then shifts focus to the people who are drifting around town, forgetting their friends and names, and overlooking someone named James. These lines suggest that people are becoming disconnected from each other, losing touch with their social connections and relationships.

The song then takes a darker turn with the line "a smiling sniper taking aim, it gives him pleasure to give pain," which suggests that there are individuals who derive pleasure from causing harm to others. The chorus, "It's a rude world, I'm sorry about that," reinforces the overall theme of the song: that the world can be a harsh, unfriendly place. The song highlights the difficulties of navigating this rude world and the challenges of maintaining meaningful connections with others.