He sent "The Mixtape" to various record companies and in response Drew McConnell (bassist for Babyshambles) arranged for Rat Boy to have a meeting with him, Cardy was subsequently signed to Parlophone in early 2015. In addition to this "The Mixtape" was featured in NME Magazine and played by radio stations including BBC Radio 1, Radio X and BBC Radio 6.
Rat Boy was added to the BBC Sound Of 2016 Longlist, an annual poll in which over 100 Music Specialists select artists they believe will be successful within the next 12 months. In December 2015, MTV released its Brand New for 2016, an annually released article and webseries containing artists to watch out for during the upcoming year. Rat Boy was shortlisted along with 10 other artists including Bonkaz, Jack Garratt and Rationale. He was also nominated for the Best New Artist 2016 by NME magazine, which he subsequently won, along with performing his single "Move" at the awards ceremony.
In April 2017, Cardy's song "Knock Knock" was sampled on Kendrick Lamar's song "Lust", taken from his fourth studio album, Damn. When he found out about the sample, he tweeted his appreciation for it.
On 11 August 2017 Rat Boy released his long-awaited debut album Scum. The album was initially released with 13 tracks, however a deluxe 25-track version was also released. The deluxe version included more than 15 minutes of skits, samples and interludes, as well as an extra song "Sad Sad" featuring fellow indie musician Mallory Merk. The album reached 15 in the uk album chart.
In December 2017, Cardy supported Liam Gallagher on his UK solo tour.
On 25 January 2019 Rat Boy released the studio album Internationally Unknown which was recorded in 2018.
Rat Boy featured on McFly's 2020 album, "Young Dumb Thrills" under a song of the same name.
Sign On
Rat boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drain on society, nothing on the telly
Barely at school, acting like a fool
Well, I could've done well if things had gone better
Slurred singing, wrong lyrics on the dancefloor
Not rich, not poor, what you living for?
Poundland pubs and Wormwood scrubs
Last night's takeaway in Tupperware tubs
And since that day my bank has hit zero
Hopefully things'll pick up next year though
And if they don't, then well
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
Every week do the lottery, daylight robbery
Spend more on tickets than it's worth in the long run
Young, dumb, living off mum
Waiting for the right time to come
Can't afford the bus that I used to run for
Lurking on the wrong side of the law, what for?
Once more, never been abroad
A week around here's enough to make you crazy
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
All my shoes have holes in the soles
Live my life in second hand clothes
All my shoes have holes in the soles
Live my life in second hand clothes
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
"Sign On" by Rat Boy is a song about struggling to make ends meet and feeling like there are limited options in life. The first verse paints a picture of a group of young people who hang out in the same types of pubs, with nothing else to do but watch TV and avoid school. The lyrics suggest that their surroundings are draining on society and that they are stuck in a cycle of poverty. The singer acknowledges that with better opportunities, he could have had a different life, but instead he's singing drunkenly and making a fool of himself on the dance floor.
In the chorus, the singer voices his frustration with being broke, and predicts that it won't be long before he has to sign on for government assistance. He questions whether it's right or wrong to do so, hinting at the shame that can come with relying on welfare. The second verse discusses the desperation of playing the lottery and living off of one's mother. The singer can no longer afford the bus fare and feels like he's on the wrong side of the law. The final lines of the chorus repeat the same sentiment as the first, highlighting the inevitable fate of being unable to make ends meet.
Overall, "Sign On" depicts a bleak reality for many people in modern society who feel stuck in a cycle of poverty and lack of opportunity. It's a song that voices the frustrations of those who are struggling and unapologetically highlights the harsh realities of life for many young people.
Line by Line Meaning
Different pubs, same name, kids out in the rain
There are a lot of pubs around, but they all seem to be the same. Kids are out in the rain because they have nothing better to do.
Drain on society, nothing on the telly
People going to these pubs and acting foolish can be seen as a negative impact on society. There's nothing interesting on TV either, so people have nothing to do.
Barely at school, acting like a fool
Not going to school much and behaving immaturely, like many people around here.
Well, I could've done well if things had gone better
If things had gone differently, I might have been able to succeed in life.
Slurred singing, wrong lyrics on the dancefloor
People in the pub are so drunk that they can't even sing correctly or remember the lyrics to songs.
Not rich, not poor, what you living for?
Living in this area, people aren't really poor or rich. It's unclear what people are living for.
Poundland pubs and Wormwood scrubs
There are only cheap pubs around here to go to, and the local prison (Wormwood Scrubs).
Last night's takeaway in Tupperware tubs
People take home the leftover food from the pub in Tupperware containers.
I lost my job in Wetherspoons
I lost my job at the Wetherspoons pub chain.
And since that day my bank has hit zero
Ever since I lost my job, I've had no money in my bank account.
Hopefully things'll pick up next year though
I hope that things improve in the future.
And if they don't, then well
If things don't get better, then there's not much that can be done.
Every week do the lottery, daylight robbery
People around here spend a lot of money on the lottery, which is likely a waste of time and money.
Spend more on tickets than it's worth in the long run
Even though people buy a lot of lottery tickets, it's unlikely they will ever win enough to make it worth the investment.
Young, dumb, living off mum
People around here are mostly young and inexperienced, still living with their mothers and not very independent.
Waiting for the right time to come
People in this area do not take much initiative to create their own opportunities and are waiting for something to happen to them.
Can't afford the bus that I used to run for
People can't even afford to pay for public transportation to go to work, despite wanting to go to work.
Lurking on the wrong side of the law, what for?
People are engaging in criminal activity, but it's not even clear why they are doing it.
Once more, never been abroad
Once again, it's worth noting that many people have never even left the area or been on vacation.
A week around here's enough to make you crazy
Spending just one week in this area can be enough to drive somebody insane.
All my shoes have holes in the soles
My shoes are worn out and have holes in them because I cannot afford new ones.
Live my life in second hand clothes
All of my clothes are second hand because I cannot afford to buy new ones.
It won't be long
It won't be much longer before I run out of money.
Before I sign on
Before I have to go sign up for government assistance.
Is it right or is it wrong?
I'm not sure if it's right or wrong to have to rely on government assistance to live.
I've got no money, it's all gone
I am out of money, I've spent it all.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JORDAN CARDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Macy's hacked channel Maguire
LYRICS~ Different pubs, same name, kids out in the rain
Drain on society, nothing on the telly
Barely at school, acting like a fool
Well, I could've done well if things had gone better
Slurred singing, wrong lyrics on the dancefloor
Not rich, not poor, what you living for?
Poundland pubs and Wormwood scrubs
Last night's takeaway in Tupperware tubs
I lost my job in Wetherspoons
And since that day my bank has hit zero
Hopefully things'll pick up next year though
And if they don't, then well
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
Every week do the lottery, daylight robbery
Spend more on tickets than it's worth in the long run
Young, dumb, living off mum
Waiting for the right time to come
Can't afford the bus that I used to run for
Lurking on the wrong side of the law, what for?
Once more, never been abroad
A week around here's enough to make you crazy
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
All my shoes have holes in the soles
Live my life in second hand clothes
All my shoes have holes in the soles
Live my life in second hand clothes
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
polaroidstyles
Different pubs, same name
Kids out in the rain
Drain on society
Nothing on the telly
Barely at school
Acting like a fool
Well I coulda done well if things had gone better
Slurred singing, wrong lyrics on the dance floor
Not rich, not poor
What you living for?
Poundland pubs and Wormwood scrubs
Last night takeaway in Tupperware tubs
I lost my job in Weatherspoons
And since that day my bank has hit zero
Hopefully things'll pick up next year though
And if they don't then well...
polaroidstyles
[Chorus]
It won't be long before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone (x2)
Every week do the lottery
Daylight robbery
Spend more on tickets than it's worth in the long run
Young, dumb, living off mum
Waiting for the right time to come
Can't afford the bus that I used to run for
Lurking on the wrong side of the law
What for?
Once more, never been abroad
A week around here's enough to make you crazy
[Chorus]
It won't be long before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone (x2)
All my shoes have holes in the soles
Live my life in second hand clothes (x2)
[Chorus]
It won't be long before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone (x4)
Jack Lunt
[Verse 1]
Different pubs, same name, kids out in the rain
Drain on society, nothing on the telly
Barely at school, acting like a fool
Well, I could've done well if things had gone better
Slurred singing, wrong lyrics on the dancefloor
Not rich, not poor, what you living for?
Poundland pubs and Wormwood scrubs
Last night's takeaway in Tupperware tubs
I lost my job in Wetherspoons
And since that day my bank has hit zero
Hopefully things'll pick up next year though
And if they don't then, well...
[Chorus]
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
[Verse 2]
Every week do the lottery, daylight robbery
Spend more on tickets than it's worth in the long run
Young, dumb, living off mum
Waiting for the right time to come
Can't afford the bus that I used to run for
Lurking on the wrong side of the law, what for?
What's more, never been abroad
A week around here's enough to make you crazy
[Chorus]
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
[Bridge]
All my shoes have holes in the soles
Live my life in second hand clothes
All my shoes have holes in the soles
Live my life in second hand clothes
[Chorus]
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
[Chorus]
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
chetley_56
Different pubs, same name, kids out in the rain
Drain on society, nothing on the telly
Barely at school, acting like a fool
Well, I could've done well if things had gone better
Slurred singing, wrong lyrics on the dancefloor
Not rich, not poor, what you living for?
Poundland pubs and Wormwood scrubs
Last night's takeaway in Tupperware tubs
I lost my job in Wetherspoons
And since that day my bank has hit zero
Hopefully things'll pick up next year though
And if they don't, then well
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
Every week do the lottery, daylight robbery
Spend more on tickets than it's worth in the long run
Young, dumb, living off mum
Waiting for the right time to come
Can't afford the bus that I used to run for
Lurking on the wrong side of the law, what for?
Once more, never been abroad
A week around here's enough to make you crazy
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
All my shoes have holes in the soles
Live my life in second hand clothes
All my shoes have holes in the soles
Live my life in second hand clothes
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
It won't be long
Before I sign on
Is it right or is it wrong?
I've got no money, it's all gone
SCUM STUDIOS
NICE ONE THX FOR THE SUPPORT MEANS ALOT XX
dakilangatan
would you mind telling why is this dedicated to Morrissey?
Willzo0o
RAT BOY no you don't Jordan last time I saw you you were wearing new vans and a lovely hoodie
Sean Fyd
RAT BOY lovin your style n storytelling. See you in Manchester in a few months
Sean Fyd
RAT BOY great tune,great video..lovin the Burberry motor hahaha. I don’t know how you haven’t blown but your time is coming..trust me ✌🏼
sam bristow
Hello Larrikin Love. I mean that in a really positive way.
G K
For a long time, I related to this song. Even cried every night. But now, I signed on. 🌻
GungaDan
This is the perfect inbetweeners background song
Hannah Knight
Your mind
elliee leary
Beardy Ry they beat u to it by 5 years mate