The Rascal King
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
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Drew inspiration from a need
So many problems to crack
And mouths to feed
Crooked was the path
And brazen was the walk
A cocky swagger, up the ladder
And could he ever talk
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
The love of God
And constant contradictions
With just a smile, wink or nod
What's stranger, fact or fiction?
And never ceasing to amaze
On a regular basis
First hand into his pocket
Or first fist into the faces
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
A legendary character
When? Only then
Where? Only there
A hero or a hooligan?
Well, that part's never clear
Pride or shame, it's all the same
Who's innocent and who's to blame?
Politics or just a game?
Well in the end they knew his name
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
The lyrics of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones's song, The Rascal King, describe a notorious and charismatic figure, who is equally revered and reviled. His drive and ambition are fueled by a sense of urgency, as he tries to solve the many problems he faces and support the people in his life who depend on him. He is clever and brazen, and his self-confidence and charm help him to scale the ladder of success, although he sometimes takes crooked paths to get there.
The chorus of the song, "The last hurrah? Nah! I'd do it again, The Rascal King behind the bars or the one in front of them," suggests that the Rascal King is unrepentant about his actions, even if they have landed him in prison or other legal troubles. He sees himself as a hero, a legend, and a rebel who challenges the status quo and refuses to be constrained by the rules that bind others. His lifestyle is full of constant contradictions, and no one can really tell whether he is telling the truth or spinning tales. He is simultaneously innocent and guilty, a politician and a player, a hero and a hooligan.
Line by Line Meaning
Well he was fueled by a lack
He had a strong motivation driven by a lack of something.
Drew inspiration from a need
He sought inspiration from what he lacked.
So many problems to crack
He had numerous issues to solve.
And mouths to feed
He had many responsibilities to take care of.
Crooked was the path
He turned towards a dishonest and immoral direction.
And brazen was the walk
He acted audaciously in his actions and moves.
A cocky swagger, up the ladder
He had an overconfident and self-assured demeanor while progressing towards success.
And could he ever talk
He was quite skilled in expressing himself verbally.
The last hurrah? Nah! I'd do it again
He would still choose to do everything again despite having faced consequences.
The Rascal King behind the bars Or the one in front of them
He would remain a king, regardless of being punished or not.
The love of God And constant contradictions
He had a strong belief in God, but his actions contradicted his faith.
With just a smile, wink or nod
He had an influential personality such that even small gestures like a smile, wink, or nod could change outcomes.
What's stranger, fact or fiction?
It's hard to tell what's strange for him, whether it's real or only imagined.
And never ceasing to amaze On a regular basis
He consistently surprised everyone with his actions and behavior.
First hand into his pocket Or first fist into the faces
He used his hands to give money or violence in equal measure.
A legendary character When? Only then Where? Only there
He was a legend only in certain circumstances and places.
A hero or a hooligan? Well, that part's never clear
He was never clear whether he was a hero or a miscreant.
Pride or shame, it's all the same Who's innocent and who's to blame?
For him, pride and shame held the same level of significance when it comes to who should take blame and responsibility.
Politics or just a game? Well in the end they knew his name
For him, politics was just like a game, and people eventually came to know about him.
The last hurrah? Nah! I'd do it again
He would still choose to do everything again despite having faced consequences.
The Rascal King behind the bars Or the one in front of them
He would remain a king, regardless of being punished or not.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DICKY BARRETT, JOSEPH GITTLEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidblake6168
Well he was fueled by a lack, drew inspiration from a need.
So many problems to crack and mouths to feed.
Crooked was the path, and brazen was the walk.
A cocky swagger, up the ladder, and could he ever talk.
The last hurrah? Nah! I'd do it again.
The Rascal King behind the bars
or the one in front of them.
The love of God and constant contradictions,
With a smile, wink, or nod.
What's stranger, fact or fiction?
And never ceasing to amaze me on a regular basis.
First hand in his pocket or first fist into the faces.
The last hurrah? Nah! I'd do it again.
The Rascal King behind the bars
or the one in front of them.
A legendary character.
When? Only then.
Where? Only there.
A hero or a hooligan? Well, that part's just never clear.
Pride or shame, it's all the same.
Who's innocent or who's to blame?
Politics or just a game?
Well in the end they knew his name.
The last hurrah? Nah! I'd do it again.
The Rascal King behind the bars
or the one in front of them?
@IslandStyle123
Any band that employs a full time dancer and credits him on the sleeve as "the bosstone" is a band I will always love and respect.
@quattobeast
I think 2 Skinny J's used to have two dudes that were just kind of part of the stage show - a rabbit and a pimp if i recall
@sg51psd04
WHAT! EHVA! MOOLIE!
@peterroberts2986
Icon, more bands need one singular dancer nowadays. Dude was a cold blooded pimp
@roachdoggjr1940
I have a feeling that if that ever caught on, you would get sick of it.
@jasonweninger
Fat boy slim had Christopher Walkin crushing it in that video.
@terrapingee
My high school aged daughter saw the Bosstones at a concert yesterday. She said she was the youngest one by far that was dancing and singing the words. Somebody asked her how she knew these guys, and she credited me. Made my day when she told me about it!
@goaldigger2243
Time flies...... met you in the concert besides the gate...
@trevorstevenson4038
Yesterday, ten years ago haha
@joshualeonardvillanueva882
This takes me back to my vacation back in 2012. What a trip.