Current members:
Chris Hannah – vocals, guitar (1986–present)
Jord Samolesky – drums (1986–present)
Todd Kowalski – bass, vocals (1997–present)
Sulynn Hago – guitar, vocals (2015–present)
Former members
Scott Hopper – bass, vocals (1986–89)
Mike Braumeister – bass (1989–91)
John K. Samson – bass, vocals (1991–97)
David Guillas – guitar, vocals (2006–2015)
1993 - How to Clean Everything
1996 - Less Talk, More Rock
2001 - Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes
2005 - Potemkin City Limits
2009 - Supporting Caste
2012 - Failed States
2017 - Victory Lap
Ska Sucks
Propagandhi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ska revival isn't cool you stupid fuck.
The bands are only in it for the bucks.
And if you don't believe me you're a schmuck. But the trend will die out with any luck.
Yo ho. Yo ho.
Rudy,
A message to you Rudy,
Fuck you Rudy!
Ska sucks
Ska revival isn't cool you stupid fuck.
The bands are only in it for the bucks.
And if you don't believe me you're a schmuck. But the trend will die out with any luck.
Yeah ha ha ha ha.
Propagandhi's song "Ska Sucks" is a critique of the ska movement and its revival in the 90s. The band sees the movement as inauthentic, with bands only using it as a cash grab. The repeated refrain of "Ska sucks" and "Ska revival isn't cool you stupid fuck" emphasizes the band's disdain for the genre. In fact, the lyrics even address those who may not agree with the band's view, labeling them as "schmucks." The band sees the trend as something that will inevitably die out, as the last line of the song states, "But the trend will die out with any luck."
In the middle of the song, there's a break where the band uses the instrumental intro to Dandy Livingstone's "Message to You Rudy" to deliver a message to that song's namesake, "Fuck you Rudy!" This seems to be a jab at the popular ska song and its use by bands during the revival. Propagandhi's inclusion of this moment not only emphasizes their dislike for the genre but also shows their critical awareness of the ska revival's perceived phoniness.
Interpretations of the song vary, with some seeing it as simply satire or humor, while others take it more seriously as a critique of the phoniness of certain musical scenes. Either way, the sharp lyrics of "Ska Sucks" clearly convey the band's message while being catchy and memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Ska sucks.
The genre of ska music is bad and unenjoyable.
Ska revival isn't cool you stupid fuck.
The current trend of popularizing ska music is not impressive and those who think so are foolish.
The bands are only in it for the bucks.
The bands playing ska are motivated only by financial gain.
And if you don't believe me you're a schmuck,
Those who disagree with the above statement are also foolish.
But the trend will die out with any luck.
Hopefully, this trend of ska music will fade away soon.
Rudy,
Direct addressing of someone named Rudy.
A message to you Rudy,
Going to convey a message to Rudy.
A message to you Rudy.
Reiteration that a message will be sent to Rudy.
Fuck you Rudy!
An insult and expression of anger directed towards Rudy.
Yeah ha ha ha ha.
An expression of amusement or sarcasm, possibly in response to the previous lines.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@largebearvideos
I am so happy to see that this song is still making people butthurt decades later.
@BURN1NGx1NS1D3
anybody who gets butthurt over this song has no sense of humor
@BulbaSwag
I don't think anyone got really butthurt, a lot of ska bands cover it
@jasonspade4200
Straight up punk with a ska flair
@MattyRude910
I play ska punk. We cover this
@firstnameIastname
@Khuzaima Ibrahim of fucking course you are. Explains a lot lol
@starchmonkey
I like how propaghandi can have a song that pokes fun at ska, while playing a ska-tinged riff. Its what makes them so great.
@rebeccav.3734
This bass line randomly popped into my head today. I remember playing it all the time when I was a teenager but I couldn't remember the band's name. Great!
@matthewyoung2519
Ditto for me today. Apparently it's timeless . . . at least until our generation goes senile.
@ShadowEl
I loved the "Message to Rudy" section, just because it adds to the irony of the song, and I just completely love it.