Wasted Rock Ranger
Great White Lyrics


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Well I'm a wasted rock ranger
I live the life of danger
On the road to find a higher high
I don't need no one's affection
All I need is my injection
An out-of-tune Les Paul'll get me by

I've been doin' gigs since I was ten
I really can't remember when
I ever had a dollar to my name
My ears are blown, my eyes are red
I got big holes inside my head
Snorting too much crystal and cocaine

I have bennies with the breakfast toast
Qualudes with the evening roast
Assorted snorts of powder in between
I don't think a day's gone by
That I wasn't drunk or high
It's the only way I keep my sanity

From Kegger's Den to Hooterville
My flaming tricks have topped the bill
A thousand empty bottles earn my name
Endless trains of one night stands
Sharing gigs with half-assed bands
And all the local groupies lay the same

Well I could have had a payin' job
Workin' for some fucked-up slob
Wife and family, true security
But I left that shit behind
For that heavy metal grind
'Cause rock'n roll is in my blood to stay
(among other things)

Hey! You're a wasted rock ranger
You'll live life of danger
Sing this song and follow it till the end
When you reach number one
You can overdose for fun
And go and visit Jimi and his friends

Hey! You're a wasted rock ranger
You'll live a life of danger
Sing this song and follow it till the end
When we reach number one
Hey! We'll all overdose for fun




And we'll hang out with Jimi and his friends
Yee haw!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Great White's "Wasted Rock Ranger" depict the lifestyle of a rockstar living on the edge, indulging in drugs and alcohol to chase the ultimate high. The singer identifies as a "wasted rock ranger" who doesn't need anyone's affection, only their injection. Throughout the song, they mention their history of performing gigs since they were young, and their excessive use of drugs such as crystal and cocaine. The singer brushes off the idea of a regular life with job security, a family, and a wife, as they feel that rock and roll is in their blood, and they are destined for greatness.


The song shows the dark side of the rockstar lifestyle where drugs and alcohol are used to cope with the hectic nature of touring and performing. It also shows the desire for success and the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve it, even if it means indulging in destructive habits. Behind the apparent carefree nature of life on the road, the lyrics suggest there's a significant sacrifice to be made to follow one's dreams.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I'm a wasted rock ranger
I am a rockstar who indulges in dangerous substances


I live the life of danger
I lead a reckless lifestyle


On the road to find a higher high
I am constantly seeking a stronger high


I don't need no one's affection
I do not require anyone's love


All I need is my injection
All I need is my drugs


An out-of-tune Les Paul'll get me by
I do not need much to get by, just my guitar and drugs


I've been doin' gigs since I was ten
I have been performing since a young age


I really can't remember when
I cannot recall a specific time


I ever had a dollar to my name
I have never had much money


My ears are blown, my eyes are red
My hearing and eyesight have been damaged due to loud music and drug use


I got big holes inside my head
My drug use has caused damage to my brain


Snorting too much crystal and cocaine
I have abused cocaine and crystal meth by snorting too much


I have bennies with the breakfast toast
I take Benzedrine with my breakfast


Qualudes with the evening roast
I take Quaaludes with my dinner


Assorted snorts of powder in between
Throughout the day, I snort various types of drugs


I don't think a day's gone by
I cannot recall a day when I have not been under the influence


That I wasn't drunk or high
I am always drunk or high


It's the only way I keep my sanity
Drugs help me cope with my life and keep me sane


From Kegger's Den to Hooterville
I have performed in various small towns and venues


My flaming tricks have topped the bill
My signature stage acts have made me popular


A thousand empty bottles earn my name
I am infamous for leaving a trail of empty alcohol bottles


Endless trains of one night stands
I engage in casual sexual encounters with fans


Sharing gigs with half-assed bands
I share the stage with mediocre artists


And all the local groupies lay the same
All the local female fans have sex with me


Well I could have had a payin' job
I could have had a respectable career


Workin' for some fucked-up slob
Working for a boss I dislike


Wife and family, true security
Having a spouse and children is true security


But I left that shit behind
I abandoned that lifestyle


For that heavy metal grind
In exchange for the heavy metal lifestyle


'Cause rock'n roll is in my blood to stay
I have a deep passion for rock and roll music and will never let it go


Hey! You're a wasted rock ranger
Addressing fans as fellow drug and alcohol abusers


Sing this song and follow it till the end
Listen to the song and follow its message


When you reach number one
When you become famous


You can overdose for fun
You can overdose on drugs as a form of entertainment


And go and visit Jimi and his friends
After dying from a drug overdose, go hang out with Jimi Hendrix and other deceased musicians


Hey! We'll all overdose for fun
Referring to the band members


And we'll hang out with Jimi and his friends
After dying from a drug overdose, we can join Jimi Hendrix and other deceased musicians




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRAD BAKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ravenheart313

I owned the cassette single. I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. I've been searching for years thanks for bringing back the memories.

@wtrbflo72

This was the flip side to "Once Bitten Twice Shy" on the cassette single!!! I wore the bitch out!

@sethswain6401

One of the first songs I ever learned to play on guitar back in the late 80's early 90's. It was the flip side of the single "Once Bitten Twice Shy". Back when you could by a single on a cassette tape. I sang it a few times at parties, nobody had ever heard it before.

@tylercountrychordscambas2182

What key is that in!?? I use to play it all the time!! Gmaj??

@hero2006

Heard this in a bar in Cocoa Florida tonight. Took 3 hours to search for it. Damn blast from the past. Awesome song and dammit I feel old. LOL

@pettyheartbreaker6445

These kids now days will never know the kind of world we were ROCKIN ANDA ROLLIN THRU BROTHER!😎

@simplyraw1369

lone wolf nomad...
took me about that long too trying to remember what this song was! a blast from the past for sure! I wonder how I'm here today 😂😂🤔 fun times I admit someone was looking out for me for sure!

@kevindondrea144

It was a B Side on the cassette or the 45 for Once Bitten, Twice Shy.

@davidlamb9133

I'm 25 years young. I do this song at my local bar for Karaoke. This song is awesome!

@brianjayhensler7545

I still have this cassette tape . most of my friends have never heard it and now they love it

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