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)

That's Entertainment
Rancid Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Go!)
That's not fair, what's this for, we're all running to the liquor store
Stuck it in some fucked up kid, full of LSD and mescaline
Dust away the edge of time
An' I always remember how he said lonely no more!

I say that's only entertainment
I say that's only entertainment

I say that's only entertainment

Sometimes you need something, makes ya turn it off
I went to college, I'm no proper knowledge
I've seen the spray paint jet spray on the brick wall
I'll always remember how he said lonely no more

I say that's only entertainment
I say that's only entertainment
I say that's only entertainment

Hot sale, liquor stores fucked with the american streets, yeah
I said time never stopped, stopped in front of me
He shared three pieces of wisdom
I'll always remember how he said lonely no more

I say that's only entertainment
I say that's only entertainment
I say that's only entertainment
I say that's only entertainment

I say that's only entertainment
I say that's only entertainment (go)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rancid's song "That's Entertainment" tell a story about the darker side of life and how people cope with it. The opening lines reference running to a liquor store and giving drugs to a kid. The singer reflects on the way that we often try to escape our pain and struggles through various forms of entertainment, whether it be drugs, alcohol, or other ways of numbing ourselves.

In the chorus, the singer makes a declaration that all of this is "only entertainment." This could be interpreted in a couple of different ways. On one hand, it could be a way of rationalizing or excusing the behavior that's being described in the verses. On the other hand, it could be a commentary on the way that society often turns a blind eye to these kinds of issues, treating them as nothing more than fodder for movies, songs, or other forms of media.

The song goes on to mention the singer's experience with higher education and his encounter with graffiti on a brick wall. Through it all, he remembers the wise words of someone who told him to be lonely no more. The repetition of the phrase in the song suggests that this is a message that the singer really takes to heart.

Overall, "That's Entertainment" tells a story about the ways that people try to escape the pain of their lives and how they can find a way to move past it. It's a reflection on the darker side of society, but it's also a reminder that there's always hope for something better.

Line by Line Meaning

That's not fair, what's this for, we're all running to the liquor store
We are all seeking to numb ourselves with alcohol, despite the unfairness and purposelessness of this action.

Stuck it in some fucked up kid, full of LSD and mescaline
We recklessly and irresponsibly abused drugs by giving them to a vulnerable, young person.

Dust away the edge of time
We attempt to avoid the harsh realities of life by escaping into substances and distractions.

An' I always remember how he said lonely no more!
We seek solace in the words and actions of others who offer relief from our loneliness.

I say that's only entertainment
While these actions and experiences may seem meaningful or intense, they are ultimately just forms of entertainment.

Sometimes you need something, makes ya turn it off
Occasionally, we feel the need to disconnect from reality and engage in activities that can numb or dull our senses.

I went to college, I'm no proper knowledge
Despite receiving a college education, I do not consider myself knowledgeable or well-informed about the world.

I've seen the spray paint jet spray on the brick wall
I have witnessed acts of rebellion and resistance, such as graffiti, that challenge societal norms and expectations.

Hot sale, liquor stores fucked with the american streets, yeah
Alcohol sales have a significant impact on the social and economic landscape of our country.

I said time never stopped, stopped in front of me
Although time marches on, we often feel stuck or trapped in our current situation or circumstances.

He shared three pieces of wisdom
We often seek guidance and support from those around us, who can offer us wisdom and perspective.

I'll always remember how he said lonely no more
We cling to memories and moments of connection and solidarity, especially when we feel alone.

I say that's only entertainment
Once again, we acknowledge that these experiences, while intense, are ultimately just a form of entertainment.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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