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)
Avenues & Alleyways
Rancid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You didn't see us comin' now there's nothin' you can do
Times are gonna change, change or step aside
It's my point of view that took you by surprise
The sun's comin' up yeah the new dawn arrives
The generation standing stand with anger in their eyes
No love in the city 'cause there's no connection
I'm a battering ram comin' through to you
In every alleyway on every avenue
Actions could erase all the fear that we suffer
People segregated no one understands each other
He's a different color but we're the same kid
I will treat him like my brother he will treat me like his
Well an eye for an eye yeah a tooth for a tooth
Brother against brother should be singin' with the group
The inner cities burnin' yeah it's screamin' black and blue
The power and the passion of a million youth
I'm a battering ram comin' through to you
In every alleyway on every avenue
Oi oi oi
(Oi oi oi) I figured out the problem yeah the problem is you
You din't see us comin' now there's nothin' you can do
He's a different color but we're the same kid
I will treat him like my brother he will treat me like his
All of the blood that spills of all the guts that fly
The media paints a picture that stains all of us
Pits dogs against cats now who is responsible
The power in the issue the force is unstoppable
I'm a battering ram comin' through to you
In every alleyway on every avenue
Oi oi oi
(Oi oi oi) I'm a battering ram comin' through to you
In every alleyway on every avenue
(Oi oi oi) I'm a battering ram comin' through to you
In every alleyway on every avenue
(Oi oi oi)
Rancid's song "Avenues & Alleyways" is a politically charged anthem about social inequality and the fight for justice. The lyrics suggest that there is a deep-seated problem with the way society is structured and that this problem is exacerbated by a lack of empathy and human connection. The song's opening lines, "I figured out the problem yeah the problem is you / You didn't see us comin' now there's nothin' you can do," suggest that the singer has identified the root of the problem and is ready to take action to rectify it.
The rest of the song expands on these ideas, painting a picture of an oppressed and divided society. The singer laments the lack of love and connection in the city, blaming it on a "racial infection" that has taken hold. He calls for action to erase the fear that we all suffer and to break down the barriers between us. The line "He's a different color but we're the same kid / I will treat him like my brother he will treat me like his" highlights the need for solidarity across different groups, despite our perceived differences.
The song concludes with a call to action, urging the listener to be a "battering ram" for change and to fight for justice "in every alleyway on every avenue." Despite the bleak picture painted by the lyrics, there is a sense of optimism and determination that runs throughout the song. The chorus, with its repeated "Oi oi oi" chant, adds a sense of defiance and rebellion to the message.
Line by Line Meaning
(Oi oi oi) I figured out the problem yeah the problem is you
I've come to understand that you are the root of the problem.
You didn't see us comin' now there's nothin' you can do
We caught you off guard and now you have no power to stop us.
Times are gonna change, change or step aside
The world is changing and you need to adapt or be left behind.
It's my point of view that took you by surprise
My perspective may have surprised you.
The sun's comin' up yeah the new dawn arrives
A new day is beginning.
The generation standing stand with anger in their eyes
The new generation is full of passion and anger.
No love in the city 'cause there's no connection
The lack of connection between people is causing a lack of love in the city.
Been stricken with disease a racial infection
Society has been infected with the disease of racism.
I'm a battering ram comin' through to you
I will forcefully make my way to you.
In every alleyway on every avenue
I will go to great lengths to reach you.
Actions could erase all the fear that we suffer
Taking action can help us overcome our fears.
People segregated no one understands each other
People are divided and lack understanding of one another.
He's a different color but we're the same kid
We may be of different races, but we are all human beings.
I will treat him like my brother he will treat me like his
We should treat each other with kindness and brotherly love.
Well an eye for an eye yeah a tooth for a tooth
Retaliation will only lead to more violence.
Brother against brother should be singin' with the group
We should all be united and singing together, not fighting against each other.
The inner cities burnin' yeah it's screamin' black and blue
The inner cities are in chaos and pain.
The power and the passion of a million youth
The passion of the youth can be a powerful force for change.
All of the blood that spills of all the guts that fly
The violence and destruction caused by conflict.
The media paints a picture that stains all of us
The media's portrayal of events can negatively impact us all.
Pits dogs against cats now who is responsible
The conflict caused by division is pointless and lacks accountability.
The power in the issue the force is unstoppable
The power of the issue cannot be stopped.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: LARS FREDERIKSEN, ROGER M. FREEMAN, TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bugnut82
it's 1:07 AM, I am drunk and have to work tomorrow, early. I am having a blast all alone blasting this song while fantasizing about being at a show mosh pitting to this song. When you are 37, married with a career and all your lifelong friends live their own life, this is as good as it gets. Young people, cherish these moments forever, they don't last forever.
@bugnut82
@Amir Paridari Lol, I hope 1:08 starts to get better !
@autogolazzojr7950
Lars is 12 years older than you, and Tim is 17. Don't be afraid to get back out there and live it up when covid is over.
@bradleynissen2301
51 years, it's 2am here and i'm full of whiskey and entertaining the neighbors ... :D
@bugnut82
@Bradley Nissen BadAss! are you playing this music loud as hell for them?
@mrsd8401
31 year-old chick. Don't matter. Punk as fuck. You ain't old, mate
@JohnLaszkow
2020 and this is still powerful
@tomk76
“I figured out the problem and the problem is TRUMP!”🤮
@Joecrouse
@Thomas Kiernan yea no. quite the opposite.
@KariLeaWilhems
Just came on my playlist this morning and I thought how fitting it still is and it made me kind of sad...but also even more determined to be a staunch ally