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)
Roots Radicals
Rancid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
@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
@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!
@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?