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)
Lulu
Rancid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah Lulu
Ah
Where the middle
Class breaks up
The working class
Better wake up
Some pigs stole our country
Lulu stands by her family
With harmony and history
There's two kinds of stories
Either comedy or tragedy
Lulu
Ah Lulu
Ah
Lulu works all day long
She goes 9 to 5 just
To stay alive
She'll do anything just
To walk the line
Ain't no time to wine and dine
Her war time now in the USA
Her husband goes far away
Afghanistan to Iraq
Her husband now
Ain't comin' back
Lulu
Ah Lulu
Ah
America the beautiful
That's what the sign said
And I welcome every single one
Cause I want them all to stay
And I'll travel and I'll travel
Til my very last day
Through the New York harbor
To the San Francisco bay
Ah
Ah
Lulu
Lulu
Lulu
Lulu
“Lulu” by Rancid is a tribute to the resilience, strength, and perseverance of the working-class people in America. The lyrics first highlight the struggles that people face in their daily lives, where the middle class is breaking up, and the working class must wake up to the reality of the situation. The song moves on to address how some people have stolen America from those who are working hard and trying to make ends meet. Lulu is a representation of the working-class people who stick together with their families and their history through both the comedic and tragic stories.
The character of Lulu is a hardworking woman who goes to work and does whatever it takes to survive. She works 9 to 5 and tries to keep herself busy so she won’t have time to waste. The lyrics also discuss how Lulu's husband was sent off to war, like many young men and women of America, and doesn’t return. The song shows how Lulu is left to endure and continue to push through, even in the face of adversity.
Through the lyrics, Rancid shares their love for America and how they view it as a beautiful place that is welcoming to everyone. The song is a tribute to the working-class people who have to work hard to make ends meet, only to have their world turned upside down by war and other factors. The lyrics capture the trauma of war, the struggles of poverty, and how people band together to fight injustices.
Line by Line Meaning
Lulu
A name or endearing term for a woman who represents the middle and working class in America.
Ah Lulu
An expression of admiration for Lulu's resilience and strength.
Ah
An exclamation emphasizing the significance of the following lyrics.
Where the middle
Commenting on the erosion of America's middle class.
Class breaks up
The division between the working class and middle class has become more apparent.
The working class
Refers to those who work manual jobs for lower wages.
Better wake up
Working class people need to become more politically aware and fight against the rich elite.
When America was dreaming
A nostalgic reference to a time when America was more united and less divided by class and race.
Some pigs stole our country
A commentary on the corrupt politicians who have taken control of America for their own gain.
Lulu stands by her family
Lulu is loyal to her family and community.
With harmony and history
Lulu values the traditions and connections she has with her family and community.
There's two kinds of stories
Life can be divided into either happy ('comedy') or sad ('tragedy') stories.
Either comedy or tragedy
The idea that life is unpredictable and can bring either happiness or sorrow.
Lulu works all day long
Lulu works hard to make ends meet, working a typical 9-5 job.
She goes 9 to 5 just
Lulu's work schedule is from 9am to 5pm.
To stay alive
Lulu's work is necessary for her survival.
She'll do anything just
Lulu is willing to do whatever it takes to make it through tough times.
To walk the line
Lulu must constantly balance her work and personal life.
Ain't no time to wine and dine
Lulu doesn't have the financial or time resources to enjoy leisure activities.
Her war time now in the USA
A reference to the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and how they have affected American families.
Her husband goes far away
Lulu's husband must go overseas to serve in the military.
Afghanistan to Iraq
The places where Lulu's husband has been deployed.
Her husband now
After serving in the military, Lulu's husband has experienced physical or mental health issues.
Ain't comin' back
Lulu's husband has died during his service to the country.
America the beautiful
A reference to the popular patriotic song as well as a reminder of the ideal American values.
That's what the sign said
The reference is to a sign that might mark the border of the United States.
And I welcome every single one
America is a welcoming country.
Cause I want them all to stay
The artist believes that America would be enriched by its diversity.
And I'll travel and I'll travel
The artist is determined to travel and see everything America has to offer.
Til my very last day
The singer will not stop exploring and learning until they die.
Through the New York harbor
Refers to the Statue of Liberty and the millions of immigrants who came to America through the port of New York.
To the San Francisco bay
Another reference to the diversity and beauty of America, using San Francisco as an example.
Ah
An exclamation emphasizing the significance of the following lyrics.
Ah
An exclamation emphasizing the significance of the preceding lyrics.
Lulu
A repetition of Lulu's name, perhaps in admiration or as a farewell.
Lulu
See above description.
Lulu
See above description.
Lulu
See above description.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TIMOTHY (USA) ARMSTRONG, LARS FREDERIKSEN, ROGER MATTHEW FREEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bobbyfletcher1271
I've always called my daughter lulu! Love that kid!
@user-lg5yy6qe2v
а мне понравилось пацаны круто жгите исчо!!!
@earthalulu9518
My daughter name is Lulu😘😘
@shawarmaboy4844
Cringe
@shawarmaboy4844
Nah now I did tho
@raulpenu818
Cringe? Lmao it's a cool jam
@shawarmaboy4844
@@raulpenu818 no not really... i said it's cringe
@braedenwims3763
then gtfo lol
@grimwolf5948
Why Tf are you here then do you even like ranicd