Rude Boy
C.D. Lyrics

It's a very small world in the middle of a crowd
The singer is pointing out that in crowded spaces, a sense of community exists amongst the people near us.

The room gets dark when the music gets loud
The music creates an atmosphere that is both thrilling and immersive, perhaps symbolic of the chaos that results when many people come together to have a good time.

Treble cuts through' when the rhythm takes the bite
In a musical context, the piercing treble such as drums or cymbals, adds to the energy of the song by providing a sharper sound when the beat itself is more subdued.

But there's no room to move 'cause the floor is packed tight
The artist is highlighting how the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd unhinges freewill and individuality by being too crammed together or too regimented.

A voice shouts loud
The artist is setting the stage for a musical performance, where different sounds, whether musical or vocal or other, are suffused together.

"We'll never surrender"
This line is a call to action and defiance that can arise from any group united for a cause or in shared enthusiasm.

A voice in the crowd
The singer is emphasizing the idea of an overarching, shared experience by offering a counterpoint voice to that of the first line of the verse.

"Never surrender"
The same call to action and defiance offered one line above is reiterated here, doubling down on the idea that by coming together, a cause or enthusiasm can be given real life.

A hand in the crowds flying propaganda,
Often in such contexts, people will aim to solidify the sense of community by having their shared beliefs or interests represented on the clothes or tattoos or other non-musical aspects of their person.

"Never surrender, we'll never surrender"
This line is a stronger and more fervent reiteration of the shared call to action and unity described earlier.

The skins in the corner are staring at the bar
The singer is again emphasizing the variety of people and interests present in such contexts; skins referencing fans of Jamaican ska, and with a nod to the punk context, they're indifferent or detached to other activities while still being faithful to their subgenre of music.

The rude boys are dancing to some heavy heavy ska
The artist points out a subcategory within the ska subgenre defined by its heavy influence and aggressive sound as opposed to the more subdued or laid back traditional ska often popular in Jamaica.

It's getting so hot people are dripping with sweat
Here the singer paints a picture of an incredibly enthusiastic and heated crowd where perspiration seems to be the norm.

The punks in the corner are speeding like a jet
The singer is highlighting the different types of people participating in the energy and enthusiasm of the concert experience, here punks, known for aggression in the post-punk era, are characterized by their speed and velocity.

A bunch of peers march in on the DM's
DM's stands for Dr. Martens, a popular brand of clunky British boots favored in British subcultures, and so much attention has been paid to apparel that the energy of the nightclub is momentarily subdued or paused to appreciate the spectacle.

With some standing there saluting the air
The intense enthusiasm that arises from orchestrated clapping or hand gestures, is a byproduct of group enthusiasm.

They want to be pirates but the sea is not calm
The pirate motif, a staple in punk and rock music especially, suggests a sense of rebellion or individuality, while the calm rough seas are symblomatic of the balance between order and chaos.

Tattooed crossbows on their arm
The DM patrons make their presence known through their apparel, suggesting a type of solidarity between the members of the scene.

The lights come alive in a blinding flash
In a concert context, the interplay between light and sound can be an important aspect of the emotional intensity of each musical moment, especially if it is overwhelming or blinding, adding a certain effect of scale or significance.

Dance floor clears as the mutants clash
The crowd and its enthusiasm often comes to a sudden end as order begins to reassert itself, in this case, a brawl, drawing a line between the fun and unity found in earlier lyrics and the discord that has yet to come.

Everyone leaves when the heavy's arrive
The arrival of a beloved band or musical act is a moment where the audience is solely focused, especially when the act is previously known to play heavier music, and the audience is devoted to a specific form or subgenre.

Someone hits the floor, someone takes a dive
The context of the concert allows for an energetic moment to sometimes take a dangerous or painful turn, often reinforcing the collective energy of the crowd, through sometimes rousing conflict or injury.