Time Bomb
Rancid Lyrics
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It's just the ability to reason that wears so thin
Living and dying and the stories that are true
Secrets to a good life is knowing when you're through
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy's a time bomb
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy's a time bomb
He's back in the hole where they got him living
Like a rat but he's smarter than that nine lives
Like a cat take him to the youth authority home
First thing you learn is that you got to make it in this world alone
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy's a time bomb
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy's a time bomb
Now he's gotten out he's gotten free he's gotta go, gotta car
He's twenty one years old he's runnin' from the bar
His pager's beepin' he's got in deep in
Whatever he can move on in you know that kid's a creepin'
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy's a time bomb
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac
The boy's a time bomb
Yeah, the boy's a time bomb
In tears come from the razor that's been tattooed below
His eye his mother cries she knows that he is strong enough to die
He's rollin' in the Cadillac it's midnight sunroof is down
Three shots rung out the hero's dead the new king is crowned
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy's a time bomb
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy's a time bomb
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy's a time bomb
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy's a time bomb, oh, time bomb
The song "Time Bomb" by Rancid discusses the story of a young man who is on the edge and about to explode. The song opens by saying that if you want to make a move, you better hurry because reason wears thin. The line suggests that the person is barely holding on and is ready to burst. The chorus talks about the young man's attire - black coat, white shoes, black hat, and Cadillac - as he is portrayed as a ticking time bomb, about to blow up with unpredictable consequences.
The second verse further elaborates on his situation, having been incarcerated, but smart enough to survive like a cat in the youth authority home. The boy has learned that he must make it in this world alone, emphasizing a lone wolf lifestyle. The final verse talks about the boy having finally gotten out and escaping, but he's still caught up in his dangerous lifestyle, evidenced by his pager that is constantly beeping. In the final moments of the song, the story takes a dark turn as the "hero" dies, and the boy becomes the "new king," symbolizing a cycle of violence and death.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want to make the move then you better come in
You need to be committed and confident to get ahead in life.
It's just the ability to reason that wears so thin
One's rationality can eventually be worn out by life's challenges.
Living and dying and the stories that are true
Life consists of tales of survival and demise.
Secrets to a good life is knowing when you're through
Being able to recognize when it's time to let go may lead to a fulfilling life.
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah
The boy dresses in style.
The boy's a time bomb
The boy is unpredictable and dangerous.
He's back in the hole where they got him living
He's trapped in a situation he doesn't want to be in.
Like a rat but he's smarter than that nine lives
The boy is resourceful and clever.
Like a cat take him to the youth authority home
He's been taken to a correctional facility for young offenders.
First thing you learn is that you got to make it in this world alone
Surviving in this world is a solitary struggle.
Now he's gotten out he's gotten free he's gotta go, gotta car
He's escaped from confinement and is on the run with a car.
He's twenty one years old he's runnin' from the bar
He is still young and is avoiding trouble.
His pager's beepin' he's got in deep in
He's involved in a dangerous situation.
Whatever he can move on in you know that kid's a creepin'
He's sneaking around and doing what he needs to do to survive.
In tears come from the razor that's been tattooed below
He has a tear tattoo below his eye, indicating that he has killed someone.
His eye his mother cries she knows that he is strong enough to die
His mother is sad but believes that he is capable of surviving in this world.
He's rollin' in the Cadillac it's midnight sunroof is down
He's cruising around in his car with the sunroof down at night.
Three shots rung out the hero's dead the new king is crowned
Someone has been killed, and a new leader has emerged.
The boy's a time bomb, oh, time bomb
The boy is a ticking time bomb, always on the edge of exploding.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Timothy Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen, Roger Mattew Freeman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yusofmohamedsalleh8251
If you wanna make the move
Then you better come in
It's just the ability to reason
That wears so thin
Living and dying and the stories that are true
Secrets to a good life is knowing when you're through
[Chorus]
Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac
Yeah, the boy's a time bomb
[x2]
Well, he's back in the hole where they got him living
Like a rat but he's smarter than that nine lives
Like a cat 15 years old take him to the youth authority home
First thing you learn is that you got to make it
In this world alone
[Chorus]
Now he's gotten out he's gotten free he's gotta go gotta car
21 years old he's runnin' numbers from the bar
His pager's beepin' he's got in deep in
Whatever he can move on in you know that kid's a creepin'
[Chorus]
The boy’s a time bomb
Tears come from the razor that's been tattooed below
His eye his mother cries she knows that he is strong enough
To die he's rollin' in the Cadillac it's midnight sunroof is down
Three shots rung out, the hero's dead, the new king is crowned.
[Chorus x2]
Ohh, time bomb
@pellelidell007
Almost 30 years since its release, "Timebomb" still sounds fresh and cool.
@michaela.velasquez4784
Who is here in 2050?!! Rancid forever!!!
@the-el2rh
Me!
@rootsman4207
Me too.
@miding9533
🤟🏻🥹
@GreatUncleJerry
I might be here in 2075 cause I'll be 100 years old and still rocking rancid
@zeppelinaissa-zh8df
Um actually, according to my calculations, it is approximately December 20th, *2023*, at 12:24 PM 🤓☝️
@olorcain
This takes me back! Loved going to punk/ska shows throughout the 90's, now as a dad I am educating my kids.
@marypoppins123
Me Too
@RunningRiotRich
Teach them well!!