One of the most rock & roll acts out there, Barry Ashworth’s merry band of reprobates — the unstoppable Dub Pistols — are staying true to form with their sixth long-player. It’s called ‘White Lines’, although Barry is keen to stress that the title isn’t some sort of blatant drug reference. “It’s about the number of white lines we see on motorways and at airports when we’re travelling around all the time,” he says.
Bass. The Dubs continue to be one of the busiest bands on the circuit. Seemingly no music festival is complete without their riotous blend of ska, dub, hip-hop, electro, breakbeat, punk and drum & bass. Good times are guaranteed when the Dub Pistols blaze in to fire up the joint, and they’ll party all night — if you let them — until the motorway sun comes up with the morning light.
Over the years the Dubs have earned their ticket to ride the white line highway — and if you aren’t already hooked, baby, it’s nobody else’s fault. They originally grew out of the DJ sound system that Barry Ashworth started with cohort Jason O’Bryan in the mid-90s.
Along with contemporaries the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, the Dubs initially surfed the late ‘90s big beat wave with tracks like ‘Cyclone’, ‘Westway’ and ‘There’s Gonna Be A Riot’ before swerving into the more political ‘Six Million Ways To Live’ album after the Millennium and their first hook-up with unforgettable Specials frontman Terry Hall.
The procession of guest vocalists who’ve joined them in the intervening decade or so reads like a roll call of urban legends. UK hip-hopper Rodney P, late reggae great Gregory Isaacs, Freak Power man Ashley Slater, Beats International’s Lindy Layton, acid house original Justin Robertson, the sweet tones of Horace Andy, UK rapper Akala, TK from New York, Red Star Lion from the West Indies, Dan Bowskills… the list goes on. Despite these top collaborators, they’ve somehow still managed to remain a cohesive unit, and it’s for their riotous sense of fun, entertainment value and tireless ability to make crowds jump that the Dubs have carved a niche for themselves. Verily, they’re something of a phenomenon.
‘White Lines’ is more of a party album than the conscious vibes of previous LP ‘Worshipping The Dollar’, and also has its fair share of top-notch guests. Reggae don Earl 16, eminent hip-hopper Seanie T,Dark Horizon, Rodney P in-demand rhymer Serocee — as well as regulars TK, Darrison, Sir Real, Ashley Slater and Barry Ashworth himself on vocals — all make an appearance, as well as the dubwise horns of Tim Hutton.
Rub a dub
Dub Pistols Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rolling
Morning
Dawning
We have the answer they calling
Rolling
Morning
Dawning
Yes we have the answer they calling
Supply and demand til the morning
Did you get them rub a dub until the morning
Strictly rub a dub until the dawning
(Repeat)
Now she says she want a rider, but I am a raider
Rock and roll, gotta go, get your dough later
Bit more money, die aya [?] mans mansion
Depends if you judge man by a mans paper
A tips to the waiter, still a run, chase her
She could make me lose
Die to the trying to be a Darth Vader
Dark collar raider
Man from your tape
It's facts that no weak can just make up!
I don't wanna wake her
Gotta move quick, drop man and run [?]
Checking no gun in closet, enough muse clips [?]
Every man, every man wanna use tricks
She's money, you use fame [?], my money means clips
Pursue the dark collar type
Battle with the shutter types
I don't even know Blood i just wanna rock a ride
I just wanna make them like they dash
Cause they might have bangers but they don't get mashed
mashed
Yes we have the answer they calling
Supply and demand til the morning
Did you get them rub a dub until the morning
Strictly rub a dub until the dawning
(Repeat)
One rub a dub, two rub a dub
Little king tubby in a club
With us in a tub
I don't nothe who ta na ne go by brick stand [?]
Now they will have jam rock
With the aborigin in a pierce rock [?]
Lika thisha al [?], make me warrior
An original reggae get 'em style
Tou jhan stubidauan [?], can't forget them style
The sound that the bass makes you dance next to I
And as the bass intesifies she gets electrified
That's how they know the power of the dub is rectifying
That you'll have to feel it if you're injured aka [?] dem tonight
Dub soldier warlord rolling with the times
Just to keep the rockers alive
Did I mention I, I have a little fetish for reggae
and all the things alight
So give me liquor liquids tonight
And rub a dub a we do like
Calling
Rolling
Morning
Dawning
We have the answer they calling
Rolling
Morning
Dawning
Yes we have the answer they calling
Supply and demand til the morning
Did you get them rub a dub until the morning
Strictly rub a dub until the dawning
(Repeat)
Is this rub a dub love
Fight for the right cause
The lyrics of Dub Pistols' song Rub a Dub are centered around the Jamaican popular music genre rub a dub, which is known to have originated from reggae music. The opening lines indicate the arrival of a new day, as the lyrics mention morning and dawning. The chorus of the song suggests that Dub Pistols have the answer to what people are calling for, and they are determined to address supply and demand until the morning. The lyrics reflect how dub music can unite people and provide them with a sense of euphoria in the form of dancing to its intense and upbeat rhythms.
The verses of the song appear to have no direct coherence with the chorus. However, the words can be interpreted as an ode to the rebellious spirit of reggae music, especially when the artist mentions their admiration for the "dark collar type" as opposed to weak men with paper. The singer rejects the women who consider him a rider and asserts that he is a raider, thereby highlighting the tough and unyielding nature that rub a dub music embodies. Furthermore, the lyrics showcase the influence of the reggae music culture on people's behavior, where money and fame become mere tools to achieve the end goal.
In conclusion, Rub a Dub is a song that pays homage to the rub a dub music genre and its Jamaican roots. The lyrics set the tone for the upbeat and energetic rhythm of the song, which is designed to get people moving and dancing till the morning.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling
Referring to the attention this song demands and will receive
Rolling
Describing the tempo and rhythm of the music
Morning
Representing the beginning of a new day or era
Dawning
Connoting the arrival of something significant or enlightening
We have the answer they calling
Asserting that the singer's music provides the solution people need
Yes we have the answer they calling
Repeating that their music is the answer people seek
Supply and demand til the morning
Implies that the music will satisfy the people's demand all night long
Did you get them rub a dub until the morning
Asks if the listeners enjoyed the music's reggae rhythm all night long
Strictly rub a dub until the dawning
Grammatically incorrect but emphasizes the repetition of the rub a dub genre till daylight
Now she says she want a rider, but I am a raider
A girl wants a boyfriend or a supporter while the singer prefers to be an adventurer or a conqueror
Bit more money, die aya [?] mans mansion
Possibly a reference to how people prioritize wealth over their well-being and the kind of life they want to lead
Depends if you judge man by a mans paper
Depicts how wealth becomes the standard of measuring someone's worth or position in society
A tips to the waiter, still a run, chase her
The singer is either a generous tipper or a person who enjoys chasing girls
She could make me lose
Affirms that the singer may surrender to her charm or tricks
Die to the trying to be a Darth Vader
A reference to Star Wars or trying to become evil more than aspiring to do good
Dark collar raider
The singer identifies himself with attire and lifestyle of being rebellious, nonconformist, and even criminal
Man from your tape
Unclear or ambiguous phrase with no discernible meaning in context
It's facts that no weak can just make up!
The singer or the genre emanates truth, substance, and authenticity that only strong and seasoned artists can produce
I don't wanna wake her
Suggests the singer does not want to disturb someone's peace or rest
Gotta move quick, drop man and run [?]
Implies the singer has to move, escape or deal with something threatening
Checking no gun in closet, enough muse clips [?]
Possibly alluding to guns, bullets or ammunition running out or posing a problem
Every man, every man wanna use tricks
Asserts that many men will resort to tricks or deceptions to get something they want
She's money, you use fame [?], my money means clips
The singer thinks more of his wealth, possessions or expensive things than his fame or popularity
Pursue the dark collar type
Advocates for a type of outlaw, criminal or aggressive personality as desirable or attractive
Battle with the shutter types
Unclear, an oxymoron, or wordplay with no concrete explanation
I don't even know Blood i just wanna rock a ride
Uses slang to suggest that the singer wants to have a good time without knowing anyone in particular
I just wanna make them like they dash
Undetermined meaning, possibly referring to dancing, skills or status
Cause they might have bangers but they don't get mashed
Suggests that the listeners' music might be good, but it lacks the rub a dub genre's essence or appeal
One rub a dub, two rub a dub
Introduces a rhyming verse that creates the song's title
Little king tubby in a club
Pays homage to the 'dub' king Osbourne Ruddock who popularized reggae sounds
With us in a tub
Ambiguous phrase that could represent several things, including being in a boat, bathroom or Jacuzzi
I don't nothe who ta na ne go by brick stand [?]
A string of nonsense words or a cryptic 'riddim' that only adds to the song's reggae flavor
Now they will have jam rock
Anticipates the audience would love the music and dance to it while feeling the rhythms and beats
With the aborigin in a pierce rock [?]
Unclear phrase but could relate to indigenous roots or people's customs, traditions or lifestyle
Lika thisha al [?], make me warrior
Unknown phrase, but it seems to exhort the audience to enjoy or experience the music and dance as warriors, fighters or conquerors
An original reggae get 'em style
Asserts the singer's originality and style that deliver the reggae genre's essence
Tou jhan stubidauan [?], can't forget them style
Another nonsense phrase that probably adds no meaning to the song and merely fits the rhymes
The sound that the bass makes you dance next to I
Highlights the importance of bass and its distinctive sound that encourages the audience to dance to the rhythm
And as the bass intesifies she gets electrified
Suggests that the music, sounds, and dances will induce an ecstatic mood or state to the female listeners
That's how they know the power of the dub is rectifying
Believes that the significance of dub is its ability to rectify, heal or cleanse something
That you'll have to feel it if you're injured aka [?] dem tonight
The friction between lyrics and sense deepens as this phrase poses unanswerable questions of the meaning and relevance of the lyrics
Dub soldier warlord rolling with the times
Slides back to glorifying a persona of a rebellious, charismatic, and powerful figure who makes music and people feel good
Just to keep the rockers alive
Argues for the importance of the genre, artist, and some essential work that they undertake to uplift, inspire or entertain people
Did I mention I, I have a little fetish for reggae
Admitting that the singer loves reggae and is passionate about it
and all the things alight
Unclear what 'alight' represents or means in this context
So give me liquor liquids tonight
Requests drinks, preferably alcoholic ones, to enhance the night's experience or flavor
And rub a dub a we do like
Reiterates the central theme of the song, which is enjoying rub a dub music and dancing to it.
Contributed by Logan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.