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)

Indestructible
Rancid Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And I know I'm indestructible
Yeah, I know I'm indestructible
Tonight

Break down
Come and tell me it's not true
It's a shake down
Come on and tell me who are you

It's so fake now
Everything I see right through
I'm ashamed now
To say I ever knew you

See the great Athenians
Man, they're not even from Athens
And the kid from Ave. "A"
He's not even from Manhattan
And nothing's what it seems
I'll just stand here laughing
I'm gonna keep on going now
I can't be distracted

And I know I'm indestructible
Yeah, I know I'm indestructible
Tonight

Play back
Rock and roll come and save me
It's a safe bet
You will never ever betray me
And I'll give back
Everything that you gave me
And I know that
No one can ever ever contain me

And I won't get bogged down like some American consumers, nah
I'm dancing now to a whole different drummer

And I'll keep listening to the great Joe Strummer
Cause through music he can live forever

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rancid's song Indestructible delve into themes of strength, perseverance, authenticity, and disillusionment. Lead singer Tim Armstrong exudes confidence in his ability to withstand any challenge or obstacle, stating that he is "indestructible" and nothing can hold him down. However, this bravado is tempered with a sense of apathy towards those who he feels have let him down - he is "ashamed now to say [he] ever knew" them. The chorus repeats the lyrics "And I know I'm indestructible, yeah, I know I'm indestructible tonight," emphasizing his resilience.

The verse then goes on to critique societal constructs, highlighting the irony found in the supposed "great Athenians" not hailing from Athens and the "kid from Ave. 'A'" not being from Manhattan. Armstrong seems disillusioned with the world around him, stating that "nothing's what it seems" and therefore choosing to "just stand here laughing." However, he remains focused and determined to move forward, declaring that he "can't be distracted."

Line by Line Meaning

And I know I'm indestructible
I have confidence in my endurance and ability to withstand any adversity

Yeah, I know I'm indestructible
I am fully aware of my invincibility

Tonight
At this very moment

Break down
Fall apart

Come and tell me it's not true
Admit to me that what I fear is not real

It's a shake down
A deceitful act to get the upper hand in a situation

Come on and tell me who are you
Reveal your true identity and intentions

It's so fake now
Everything around me is insincere and artificial

Everything I see right through
I can easily see the truth in any situation

I'm ashamed now
I feel embarrassed and disappointed

To say I ever knew you
I regret having any association with you

See the great Athenians
Referencing historical figures, who may have been misrepresented

Man, they're not even from Athens
Their supposed origins are false

And the kid from Ave. "A"
A character whose background doesn't match their location

He's not even from Manhattan
Their identity is fraudulent

And nothing's what it seems
Everything is an illusion

I'll just stand here laughing
I can see through the deception and remain unaffected

I'm gonna keep on going now
I will not be stopped by any obstacle

I can't be distracted
I am too focused on my goals to be deterred

Play back
Reverse the situation

Rock and roll come and save me
Music can provide comfort and inspiration

It's a safe bet
It's certain

You will never ever betray me
I have complete trust in music

And I'll give back
I will reciprocate the benefits I have received

Everything that you gave me
All the positive effects of music

And I know that
I am confident that

No one can ever ever contain me
I cannot be limited or controlled by anyone

And I won't get bogged down like some American consumers, nah
I will not be hindered by the materialistic mindset of some people in society

I'm dancing now to a whole different drummer
I am following a unique path, distinct from the norm

And I'll keep listening to the great Joe Strummer
I will continue to be inspired by the music of a deceased legend

Cause through music he can live forever
A tribute to the power of music to immortalize the artist

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: LARS FREDERIKSEN, TIM ARMSTRONG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Jhony Rottens

1y↑8

one of Rancid's best albums, every song in this album is neatly packaged in sound, arrangement, lyrics and even has a character in each song. good job browwwww🖒🖒🖒

lazdfa dammahom

1y↑1

compared to and outcome of wolves, do you think better ?

Jhony Rottens

@lazdfa dammahom I said one of the best means what you mentioned is also good

lazdfa dammahom

@Jhony Rottens noted bro,agreed with you

Jhony Rottens

ok broww.. this band was my first gig in the underground, so I remember when I was still on the road with our community

Richard Wellend

I totally agree.... this is one of rancids best albums although my favourite is life won't wait

Get physical silver

2y↑7

Classic punk rock

Diego Avilés

Un discazo!

Marcos Peralta

3y↑3

Icónico y mágico.

Sonnenschein Bedoya

Always makes me dance thank you sonb

kincepxc

grande rancid

Achmad Fayswan

2y↑6

Best album :3

aria dinata

52w

Perfect ....👍🤟

D Yuri

2y↑8

I was actually arrested in Shanghai on suspicion of murder. Was chill experience, cops just came and took me in the am from my rented apartment, and I played chinese poker with them and smoked until the big boss came for a 1 on 1 with me. Provided him with proof that my friend was a drunk and missing and not dead, and then he said 'you are brave, may buddha bless you'. Then I went home and got drunk.

Justin O'Connell

50w

That's an awesome song.

IWillSurviveTheHighFive CauseIAmResilient

3y↑4

I find it difficult to say I dislike any Rancid album - but I come incredibly close to doing so when I listen to this one. I think there are two songs I actually like and listen to repeatedly, maybe three? It's usually the opposite - there are only a couple of songs I don't like. I am happy with Trouble Maker - it's original while still going back to their roots a bit. Still one of my favourite bands though.

Chaz 420

3y↑2

crazy.. this album is good

Jonathan Weidelman

2y↑4

If you say you don't like this album, then I say, keep listening to it. In 1998 when 'Life Won't Wait' came out, I felt the same way. It took me years, but around '05 I literally (finally) fell in love with that album and it just may be my 2nd favorite behind 'Wolves'. Indestructible is a good friggin listen, thru and thru. Give it some more chances with an open mind.

Freddy Krügerl

2y↑1

Whaaaat

P1nkR

2y↑4

These songs give me goosebumps mate. Fucking love this album. Best music for people who actually go out and try to build something in their life no matter what shit comes their way. Keep smiling and spitting in the face of idiots who try to marginalize you and play Rancid until your ears start bleeding.

Michael LIEBERMANN

2y↑1

Grew on Me, know what Ya mean, but it's what they were doing at the time. When I was going throughout Your in my better days, there was a time it was my only album by em. Play all albumsthroghu and it actually is Great, Nostalgia, an Era

4 More Replies...

Mark Krazzy

Thanks!

Rosa Angela

3y↑2

Brasil fuck and ,i aqui tem punk também e muitos Head Bangs.

Virginia Scherer

Sherman Burnett in Reno, Nevada. Remembering..

Rosa Angela

3y↑1

Aí porra me considero Head Bang mas fala para he ,'s que eu curto punk ratos do Brasil e bandas sabe lá de Penny wyse anarcofobia.

Born with a wooden leg

iAy caramba!

Neon Paradox

2y↑1

Your titles are way off, but who cares? This is my single greatest punk album.

Rosa Angela

I fala para esse cara , caramba cara o David morreu sabe is death i you também vai i já tá dead.

Frank G

2y↑2

The only album i cant enjoy all the way through is Rancid from 2000. Was too much of a change after so many goodies in a row.

Justin O'Connell

50w

Lots of gems on that album. GGF, Let Me Go, Blackhawk Down, Black Derby Jacket, Rwanda, Poison, Antennas...

Hans Moser

2y↑1

for me, personal, all these mates, us bombs, or the green day ones, the sum 41, all humans living this dudes rancid very extraordinary, all you pleasant folks are in my mind,
like colin from the gbh, comin around at the 25th in the so36. straight to stand outside unvaccinated....and still alive.
h.m.

Chr15 M3m0n

Uh what? And what does "unvaccinated & still alive" have to do with this music? Since you so eloquently bring it up, I'll point out nobody said a vaccination is a cure. I assume you're referring to Covid-19 and nobody said Covid is a death sentence. It has a 2-3% mortality rate. For perspective influenza has a 0.1-2% mortality rate.

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