Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991… Read Full Bio ↴Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, former members of the band Operation Ivy, Rancid is often credited as being among the wave of bands that revived mainstream interest in punk rock in the United States during the mid-1990s. Over their 32-year career, Rancid retained much of its original fan-base, most of which was connected to its underground musical roots.

Rancid has had two lineup changes since its inception, with Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman being continuous members. Their current lineup consists of Armstrong on guitar and vocals, Freeman on bass and vocals, Lars Frederiksen on guitar and vocals, and Branden Steineckert on drums. The band was formed by Armstrong, Freeman, and former drummer Brett Reed, who left the band in 2006 and was replaced by Steineckert. This lineup recorded their first album, with Frederiksen joining the band on their subsequent tour.

To date, Rancid has released ten studio albums, one split album, one compilation, two extended plays, and a series of live online-only albums, and has been featured on a number of compilation albums. The band has sold over four million records worldwide, making it one of the most successful punk rock groups of all time. The band rose to fame in 1994 with its second studio album, Let's Go, featuring the single "Salvation". In the following year, Rancid released its highly successful album ...And Out Come the Wolves, which produced its best-known songs "Roots Radicals", "Ruby Soho", and "Time Bomb", and was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA, selling over one million copies in the United States alone. Its next six albums – Life Won't Wait (1998), Rancid (2000), Indestructible (2003), Let the Dominoes Fall (2009), ...Honor Is All We Know (2014) and Trouble Maker (2017) – were also critically acclaimed, though not as commercially successful as ...And Out Come the Wolves. The band released their tenth album, Tomorrow Never Comes, in June 2023.

Studio albums
Rancid (1993)
Let's Go (1994)
...And Out Come the Wolves (1995)
Life Won't Wait (1998)
Rancid (also known as "Rancid 2000" or "Rancid 5") (2000)
Indestructible (2003)
Let the Dominoes Fall (2009)
...Honor Is All We Know (2014)
Trouble Maker (2017)
Tomorrow Never Comes (2023)

A Power Inside
Rancid Lyrics

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There's a power in a human, there's a power inside
There's a power inside every man alive
There's a power in a human, there's a power inside
There's a power inside every man alive
There's a power inside every man alive

When I look into your empty pockets
The storm is nothing, cause it's already here

Look into an honest man's eyes now
Oh, the only thing you're gonna see is fear

There's a power in a human, there's a power inside
There's a power inside every man alive
There's a power in a human, there's a power inside
There's a power inside every man alive
There's a power inside every man alive

Know what it's like to be alone now
What it's like not to have a friend
Some make [?] get a foe now baby
But the union's gonna be here all the way to the end

There's a power in a human, there's a power inside
There's a power inside every man alive
There's a power in a human, there's a power inside

There's a power inside every man alive
There's a power inside every man alive

Overall Meaning

The song "A Power Inside" by Rancid is a powerful and empowering track about the inherent strength in every human being. The repeated chorus "There's a power in a human, there's a power inside, there's a power inside every man alive" emphasizes the idea that every person has an inner strength that can be tapped into, no matter what their circumstances may be. The verses of the song seem to address themes of poverty, struggle, and fear, with lines like "when I look into your empty pockets, the storm is nothing, cause it's already here" and "the only thing you're gonna see is fear" suggesting that the singer is observing the struggles of others around them. However, the chorus offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that despite these struggles, every person has the potential for inner strength and power.

In many ways, this song is about the resilience of the human spirit. It speaks to the idea that even in the face of hardship and adversity, people can find ways to tap into their inner resources and find strength. This idea is particularly relevant in the context of punk rock, a genre that has always emphasized the power of individuality and self-expression. By highlighting the inherent strength in every person, "A Power Inside" encourages listeners to embrace their inner selves and find ways to channel their energy and creativity into something positive.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a power in a human, there's a power inside
Each and every human being possesses an incredible inner strength and resilience.

There's a power inside every man alive
All individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, have an innate power that can help them overcome challenges.

When I look into your empty pockets
When I examine the material possessions of others,

The storm is nothing, cause it's already here
I realize that they may already be struggling or dealing with difficult circumstances, making any additional adversity much less intimidating.

Look into an honest man's eyes now
If you observe the gaze of someone who is truthful and genuine,

Oh, the only thing you're gonna see is fear
You will notice that fear is the only emotion present, indicating that they are aware of the challenges they face and the potential consequences of their actions.

Know what it's like to be alone now
Having experienced loneliness firsthand,

What it's like not to have a friend
I understand the feelings of isolation and disconnection that come from lacking a strong support system.

Some make [?] get a foe now baby
Some individuals may choose to turn on those they perceive as enemies or adversaries,

But the union's gonna be here all the way to the end
Yet the power within the collective group of individuals will remain and persist until the end of their journey, allowing them to overcome any obstacles that may stand in their way.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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