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)
Memphis
Rancid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the get-go,
Street kid from the start, right, no regrets though,
I do what I want, yeah, 'cause I said so,
No sleep for the weak, right? No, bet no.
Rollin' with the punk rockers,
I ain't lying,
Fake guns, fake bands,
Hit the road,
All I know,
Rock and roll ain't dying, about fifteen deep,
We hit the streets low ridin.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And a pillow to keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
He was back, causing trouble,
Time's they're a comin' round,
Oh no, let me go to another round,
Tuesday night is when the storm's gonna settle down,
Had a glance, circumstance,
Don't cause, trouble bound,
She's the one, all alone, I come lookin',
Smoke and mirrors as I watch,
Aw, that girl was trippin',
It's no fun, lost again,
To have your heart broken,
Greed is from a world that is built on hustling.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And a pillow to keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
Embrace the fallen when they have failed,
Every road can lead ya straight down to fucking hell,
Embrace the fallen when they have failed,
Every road can take ya straight down to hell.
Doing nothing here, everyone straight trippin,
Happier times are gone past start slippin,
This will be enough to keep me on the road livin,
Good every night, in a different city I'll be sleepin,
Let me know, here we go, met a girl named Lola,
Is she here? Is she there? Drinking Jack and cola,
She says, "Tim, where ya been? I got somethin' to show ya,
Lola fired off her clothes and started rock and rollin!
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And a pillow keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
The song "Memphis" by Rancid tells the story of a street kid who has grown up making mistakes but has no regrets. He does what he wants, whenever he wants, and travels with a group of punk rockers on the road to play shows wherever they can. The lyrics paint a picture of a wild and unpredictable lifestyle filled with adventures and misadventures. The singer reflects on the fake punk scene they encounter on their travels, and he won't buy into it. Instead, he remains focused on his music, which he believes is rock and roll that will never die.
The chorus mentions New Orleans and Memphis, two legendary music cities where the group's shows have taken them. The lyrics imply that these two cities are particularly significant for the group because of the intense experiences they've had there. However, these experiences have taken a toll on the group, and by the time they arrive in Memphis, they are already crazy.
The song continues with the singer recalling various encounters and the trouble they have caused. He emphasizes the importance of embracing failures and the dangers of the road leading straight to hell. Yet, the singer remains committed to his love for music, performances, and different encounters with people, including Lola, who shows him a good time in the middle of the chaos.
Overall, "Memphis" is a song about the gritty lifestyle of punk rock musicians on the road, filled with highs and lows, that they endure through their utter passion for music.
Line by Line Meaning
I've lived my whole life, made mistakes, From the get-go,
I've made some errors throughout my entire existence, starting from when I was born.
Street kid from the start, right, no regrets though,
I grew up in the streets, but I don't regret my past.
I do what I want, yeah, 'cause I said so,
I'm free to do what I please without answering to anyone.
No sleep for the weak, right? No, bet no.
Sleeping is for the weak, and I'm not weak.
Rollin' with the punk rockers, I ain't lying,
I hang out with punk rockers, and I'm not lying about it.
Fake guns, fake bands, Fake punk, I ain't buying,
I'm not fooled by those who pretend to be punk rockers or fake their identity.
Hit the road, All I know, Rock and roll ain't dying,
I travel often, and I believe that rock and roll is not dead.
About fifteen deep, We hit the streets low ridin.
We are a group of about 15 people who drive low to the ground while cruising the streets.
By the time we made it to New Orleans, It must have been half past three.
We arrived in New Orleans very late at night or very early in the morning.
We were crazy. Tonight, draw a blanket, And a pillow to keep us warm, Tonight, protect us from the storm.
We were in a frenzied state of mind when we reached Memphis. Tonight, we need to seek shelter from the storm.
He was back, causing trouble, Time's they're a comin' round,
He returned and started causing problems once again, and time is catching up with him.
Oh no, let me go to another round, Tuesday night is when the storm's gonna settle down,
I need to leave and start fresh elsewhere. Calmer weather is predicted for Tuesday night.
Had a glance, circumstance, Don't cause, trouble bound,
A brief encounter with someone led to some difficult problems to deal with.
She's the one, all alone, I come lookin', Smoke and mirrors as I watch, Aw, that girl was trippin',
I went to find a girl who was by herself, but there was something odd going on when I saw her.
It's no fun, lost again, To have your heart broken, Greed is from a world that is built on hustling.
It's not enjoyable to feel heartbroken and lost again. Greed can drive people to hustle for material possessions and money.
Embrace the fallen when they have failed, Every road can lead ya straight down to fucking hell,
We should support those who have made mistakes and failed. Every path has the potential to lead to a bad outcome.
Doing nothing here, everyone straight trippin, Happier times are gone past start slippin,
There's nothing to do here, and people are acting crazy. Positive times are a thing of the past and are slipping away.
This will be enough to keep me on the road livin, Good every night, in a different city I'll be sleepin,
This lifestyle will be sufficient to keep me living on the road. I'll have a good time every night and sleep in a new city.
Let me know, here we go, met a girl named Lola, Is she here? Is she there? Drinking Jack and cola,
Let me inform you that I met a woman named Lola, and we're drinking Jack and Cola. Is she near or far?
She says, "Tim, where ya been? I got somethin' to show ya, Lola fired off her clothes and started rock and rollin!
Lola asked me where I've been and told me she has something to show me. Then she took off her clothes and started dancing to rock and roll music.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: LARS FREDERIKSEN, TIM ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Axael Lopez
I've lived my whole life, made mistakes,
From the get-go,
Street kid from the start, right, no regrets though,
I do what I want, yeah, cuz I said so,
No sleep for the weak, right? No, bet no.
Rollin' with the punk rockers,
I ain't lying,
Fake guns, fake bands,
Fake punk, I ain't buying,
Hit the road,
All I know,
Rock and roll ain't dying, about fifteen deep,
We hit the streets low ridin.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And your gonna keep us warm
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
He was back, causing trouble,
Time's they're a comin' round,
Oh no, let me go to another round,
Tuesday night is when the storm's gonna settle down,
Had a glance, circumstance,
Don't cause, trouble bound,
She's the one, all alone, I come lookin',
Smoke and mirrors as I watch,
Aw, that girl was trippin',
It's no fun, lost again,
To have your heart broken,
Greed is from a world that is built on hustling.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
and a pillow to keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
The breaks were falling when they had failed,
Every road can lead ya straight down to fucking hell,
Rain stopped falling when they had failed,
Every road can take ya straight down to hell.
Doing nothing here, everyone straight trippin,
Happy at times, are gone, past starts slippin,
This will be enough to keep me on the road livin,
Good every night, in a different city I'll be sleepin,
Let me know, here we go, met a girl named Lola,
Is she here? Is she there? Drinking Jack and cola,
She says, "Tim, where ya been? I got somethin' to show ya,
Lola fired off her clothes and started rock and rollin!
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
and a pillow keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
Lello Fossati
I've lived my whole life, made mistakes,
From the get-go,
Street kid from the start, right, no regrets though,
I do what I want, yeah, 'cause I said so,
No sleep for the weak, right? No, bet no.
Rollin' with the punk rockers,
I ain't lying,
Fake guns, fake bands,
Fake punk, I ain't buying,
Hit the road,
All I know,
Rock and roll ain't dying, about fifteen deep,
We hit the streets low ridin.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And a pillow to keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
He was back, causing trouble,
Time's they're a comin' round,
Oh no, let me go to another round,
Tuesday night is when the storm's gonna settle down,
Had a glance, circumstance,
Don't cause, trouble bound,
She's the one, all alone, I come lookin',
Smoke and mirrors as I watch,
Aw, that girl was trippin',
It's no fun, lost again,
To have your heart broken,
Greed is from a world that is built on hustling.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And a pillow to keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
Embrace the fallen when they have failed,
Every road can lead ya straight down to fucking hell,
Embrace the fallen when they have failed,
Every road can take ya straight down to hell.
Doing nothing here, everyone straight trippin,
Happier times are gone past start slippin,
This will be enough to keep me on the road livin,
Good every night, in a different city I'll be sleepin,
Let me know, here we go, met a girl named Lola,
Is she here? Is she there? Drinking Jack and cola,
She says, "Tim, where ya been? I got somethin' to show ya,
Lola fired off her clothes and started rock and rollin!
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And a pillow keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm
Joseph Schultz
Still a punk masterpiece every time I revisit it. Having been on the road, touring, I feel this song deep in my nonexistent soul.
Keep us warm, Rancid. Keep us warm, yo.
Axael Lopez
I've lived my whole life, made mistakes,
From the get-go,
Street kid from the start, right, no regrets though,
I do what I want, yeah, cuz I said so,
No sleep for the weak, right? No, bet no.
Rollin' with the punk rockers,
I ain't lying,
Fake guns, fake bands,
Fake punk, I ain't buying,
Hit the road,
All I know,
Rock and roll ain't dying, about fifteen deep,
We hit the streets low ridin.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And your gonna keep us warm
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
He was back, causing trouble,
Time's they're a comin' round,
Oh no, let me go to another round,
Tuesday night is when the storm's gonna settle down,
Had a glance, circumstance,
Don't cause, trouble bound,
She's the one, all alone, I come lookin',
Smoke and mirrors as I watch,
Aw, that girl was trippin',
It's no fun, lost again,
To have your heart broken,
Greed is from a world that is built on hustling.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
and a pillow to keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
The breaks were falling when they had failed,
Every road can lead ya straight down to fucking hell,
Rain stopped falling when they had failed,
Every road can take ya straight down to hell.
Doing nothing here, everyone straight trippin,
Happy at times, are gone, past starts slippin,
This will be enough to keep me on the road livin,
Good every night, in a different city I'll be sleepin,
Let me know, here we go, met a girl named Lola,
Is she here? Is she there? Drinking Jack and cola,
She says, "Tim, where ya been? I got somethin' to show ya,
Lola fired off her clothes and started rock and rollin!
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
and a pillow keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
Joseph Schultz
A damn good song. Man, I love this one.
Joseph Schultz
@Crunchatize Me Senpai To be fair, a lot of people like Rancid for their loudness, speed, and anger.
This song is just a bit less loud, slower than usual, and completely devoid of anger. Even still, this is one of my favorites by them, very easily.
Hell, when I'm trying to get someone into Rancid who doesn't have a ton of punk rock exposure, this is a first choice.
Good shit, yo.
Crunchatize Me Senpai
Yeah I can’t believe this wasn’t one of their biggest hits. It’s in my top 3 for their songs.
Crunchatize Me Senpai
Criminally underrated song, easily my favorite of their less popular songs. Sucks that there’s no live versions that aren’t acoustic on here.
TMasonVN
proof that this is the best type of music is that there are no thumbs down whatsoever
bones27
He is not buying no fake punk. Tim is the best
jotabeas22
un-standard music, and it sounds neat. I've always preffered their moar punkish songs, but this is still cool with all those organs and trippy feeling
Lello Fossati
I've lived my whole life, made mistakes,
From the get-go,
Street kid from the start, right, no regrets though,
I do what I want, yeah, 'cause I said so,
No sleep for the weak, right? No, bet no.
Rollin' with the punk rockers,
I ain't lying,
Fake guns, fake bands,
Fake punk, I ain't buying,
Hit the road,
All I know,
Rock and roll ain't dying, about fifteen deep,
We hit the streets low ridin.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And a pillow to keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
He was back, causing trouble,
Time's they're a comin' round,
Oh no, let me go to another round,
Tuesday night is when the storm's gonna settle down,
Had a glance, circumstance,
Don't cause, trouble bound,
She's the one, all alone, I come lookin',
Smoke and mirrors as I watch,
Aw, that girl was trippin',
It's no fun, lost again,
To have your heart broken,
Greed is from a world that is built on hustling.
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And a pillow to keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm.
Embrace the fallen when they have failed,
Every road can lead ya straight down to fucking hell,
Embrace the fallen when they have failed,
Every road can take ya straight down to hell.
Doing nothing here, everyone straight trippin,
Happier times are gone past start slippin,
This will be enough to keep me on the road livin,
Good every night, in a different city I'll be sleepin,
Let me know, here we go, met a girl named Lola,
Is she here? Is she there? Drinking Jack and cola,
She says, "Tim, where ya been? I got somethin' to show ya,
Lola fired off her clothes and started rock and rollin!
By the time we made it to New Orleans,
It must have been half past three.
By the time we made it to Memphis,
We were crazy.
Tonight, draw a blanket,
And a pillow keep us warm,
Tonight, protect us from the storm