Roots Radicals
Rancid Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Took the 60 bus out of downtown Cambell Ben Zandito
He was on there he was waitin' for me
All the punk rockers and the moon stompers
Are out on the corners where
They sparing for change

I started thinking, you know I started drinking
I don't remember too much of that day
Something struck me funny when we ran out of money
Where do you go now when you're only fifteen?

With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me
And it goes

Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo

The radio was playing, Desmond Dekker was singing
On the 43 bus as we climbed up the hill
Nothing incoming but the reggae drumming
And we all come from unloving homes, I said

Why even bother and pick up the bottle
Mr. Bus Driver please let these people on
Rude girl Carol was a mini-skirt girl
My blurry vision saw nothin' wrong

With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me
And it goes

Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
On my stereo

Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Took the 60 bus out of downtown Campbell Ben Zanotto
He was on there, he was waiting for me
All the punk rockers and the moon stompers
Are out on the corners where they're sparing for change

And the radio was playing, Desmond Dekker was singing
On the 43 bus as we climbed up the hill
Rude girl Carol was a mini-skirt girl
My blurry vision saw nothing wrong

With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me
And it goes

Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo

Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals




Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo

Overall Meaning

The song "Roots Radicals" by Rancid narrates the story of a young boy who takes the 60 bus out of downtown Campbell, California to meet up with his friend Ben Zanotto. As he travels across town, he observes and interacts with the diverse cast of characters in the punk rock and ska scenes of the city. The boy reflects on his own struggles, feeling lost and unsure of his place in the world at only fifteen years old. The radio plays Desmond Dekker's reggae music, which resonates with him, and he contemplates the possibility of revolution and change as the song builds to its addictively catchy chorus. The song's lyrics capture the energy, defiance, and unity of subcultures that emerge in opposition to the mainstream.


The song is titled after a term used in Jamaican music to describe the instrumental rhythms that underlie the songs. The lyrics reference the musical influences of punk and reggae and pay homage to the bands and genres that came before them. The character of Ben Zanotto is based on the real-life guitarist of the same name who played in the popular punk band, The Avengers. The song is an anthem for the punk and ska communities who were united by their shared love of music and their outsider status. It's a celebration of their creativity, passion, and determination to change the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Took the 60 bus out of downtown Cambell Ben Zandito
I boarded the 60 bus to leave the Cambell Ben Zandito area


He was on there he was waitin' for me
Someone was already on the bus waiting for me


All the punk rockers and the moon stompers
People with punk rock and moon stomp interests


Are out on the corners where They sparing for change
These interests can be seen on street corners where people ask for money


I started thinking, you know I started drinking
I began to think and eventually started drinking alcohol


I don't remember too much of that day
The drinking and thinking may have made my memory fuzzy


Something struck me funny when we ran out of money
It was amusing to me when we ran out of money


Where do you go now when you're only fifteen?
It's difficult to know where to go when you're still a teenager


With the music execution and the talk of revolution
The sound and discussion of revolution are influencing me


It bleeds in me
These influences are deeply ingrained within me


And it goes
These influences continue to fuel my thoughts and actions


Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Let's reject mainstream ideas and embrace radical thought


Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
I myself am a radical and will push others to join me


Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
Reggae music is helping to inspire and promote radical ideas


The radio was playing, Desmond Dekker was singing
Desmond Dekker's music was being played on the radio


On the 43 bus as we climbed up the hill
I was on another bus, the 43, going up a hill


Nothing incoming but the reggae drumming
All that could be heard was the sound of reggae drums


And we all come from unloving homes, I said
I pointed out that many of us come from difficult backgrounds


Why even bother and pick up the bottle
Why bother with alcohol at all?


Mr. Bus Driver please let these people on
I asked the bus driver to let people who were waiting for the bus board


Rude girl Carol was a mini-skirt girl
A girl named Carol, who was wearing a mini-skirt, seemed impolite


My blurry vision saw nothin' wrong
Despite my vision being blurred, I didn't think anything was particularly wrong


On my stereo
This music plays on my personal stereo system


Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
A repeating vocalization, likely indicating a joyful mood




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: LARS FREDERIKSEN, ROGER M. FREEMAN, TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@rivaldikurniawanOG

Took the 60 bus, out of downtown Campbell, Ben Zanotto
He was on there he was waitin' for me
All the punk rockers and the moon stompers
Are out on the corners where they sparing for change

I started thinkin', you know I started drinkin'
I don't really remember too much of that day
Somethin' struck me funny when we ran out of money
Where do you go now when your only 15

With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me and it goes

Give 'em the boot, the roots the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo

The radio was playin' Desmon Dekker was singin'
On the 43 bus as we climb up the hill
Nothin' incoming but the reggae drummin'
And we all come from unloving homes

I say "Why even bother" I pick up the bottle
Hey Mr. Bus Driver please let these people on
Rude girl carol was a mini-skirt girl
My blurry vision saw nothin' wrong

With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me and it goes

Give 'em the boot, the roots the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
On my stereo

Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah

...yeeeeeaaa.
Took the 60 bus, out of downtown Campbell Ben Zanotto
He was on there he was waitin' for me
All the punk rockers and the moon stompers

Are out on the corners where they sparing for change
The radio was playin' Desmon Dekker was singin'
On the 43 bus as we climb up the hill
Rude girl carol was a mini-skirt girl
My blurry vision saw nothin' wrong
With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me and it goes
Give 'em the boot, the roots the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
Give 'em the boot, the roots the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo



@antonkucer6867

Took the 60 bus out of downtown Cambell Ben Zandito
He was on there he was waitin' for me
All the punk rockers and the moon stompers
Are out on the corners where
They sparing for change
I started thinking, you know I started drinking
I don't remember too much of that day
Something struck me funny when we ran out of money
Where do you go now when you're only fifteen?
With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me
And it goes
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
The radio was playing, Desmond Dekker was singing
On the 43 bus as we climbed up the hill
Nothing incoming but the reggae drumming
And we all come from unloving homes, I said
Why even bother and pick up the bottle
Mr. Bus Driver please let these people on
Rude girl Carol was a mini-skirt girl
My blurry vision saw nothin' wrong
With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me
And it goes
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
On my stereo
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Took the 60 bus out of downtown Campbell Ben Zanotto
He was on there, he was waiting for me
All the punk rockers and the moon stompers
Are out on the corners where they're sparing for change
And the radio was playing, Desmond Dekker was singing
On the 43 bus as we climbed up the hill
Rude girl Carol was a mini-skirt girl
My blurry vision saw nothing wrong
With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me
And it goes
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo



@la_mucca_fa_un_mu4046

Lyrics

Took the 60 bus out of downtown Cambell Ben Zandito
He was on there he was waitin' for me
All the punk rockers and the moon stompers
Are out on the corners where
They sparing for change
I started thinking, you know I started drinking
I don't remember too much of that day
Something struck me funny when we ran out of money
Where do you go now when you're only fifteen?
With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me
And it goes
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
The radio was playing, Desmond Dekker was singing
On the 43 bus as we climbed up the hill
Nothing incoming but the reggae drumming
And we all come from unloving homes, I said
Why even bother and pick up the bottle
Mr. Bus Driver please let these people on
Rude girl Carol was a mini-skirt girl
My blurry vision saw nothin' wrong
With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me
And it goes
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
On my stereo
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Took the 60 bus out of downtown Campbell Ben Zanotto
He was on there, he was waiting for me
All the punk rockers and the moon stompers
Are out on the corners where they're sparing for change
And the radio was playing, Desmond Dekker was singing
On the 43 bus as we climbed up the hill
Rude girl Carol was a mini-skirt girl
My blurry vision saw nothing wrong
With the music execution and the talk of revolution
It bleeds in me
And it goes
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the radicals
Give 'em the boot, you know I'm a radical
Give 'em the boot, the roots, the reggae on my stereo



All comments from YouTube:

@AStupidTourist

I've had this bass line stuck in my head since 1995

@pimtool9351

how could you not?

@jillgarittagoatgirl-expose2759

Me too😆🤘

@johngrossi166

r u on your meds ?

@patrickenright6094

Same here!

@Anninukichild

Right? Summer of 7th grade for me!

4 More Replies...

@sbirdhouse

I believe this to be one of the best punk rock songs of all time.

@Articinvolved

I agree this shit is sick

@mack1541

From the USA

@shredgardener9231

errrr, you're not from England, right?

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