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.
TURN ROUND M8
Rat boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't fall through the concrete holes
Or anything else because that's just another fact
That they can't help you with
The cunt stunk of skunk as he grabbed me by the neck
Trackies and North Face, a future court case
Wrong place wrong time, I'm a victim of a crime
If he gets caught he probably won't even get a fine
My shit already sold never get back what's mine
The sad thing is, well, this ain't the first time
And when I think of it, it sends stabbings down my spine
Bored of working through the racing days
Don't fall through the concrete hole
Or anything else because that's just another fact
That they can't help you with
There's nothing new under the sun
And modern life has lost its fun
And anywhere I go, they'll take your money
I can't take it anymore
Turn around, walk away
You might live another day
Turn around, walk away
You might live another day
Turn around, walk away
You might live another day
Turn around, walk away
You might live another day
Roses round the railings, picture what I'm saying
Spending all your savings just to keep up with your cravings
Wannabe road men cracked tarmac needs a mend
Well I start to wonder where all the money gets spent
On rent, we keep looking up for tomorrow
We beg, we steal, we borrow, next year no more sorrow
And the sad thing is, well, this ain't the last time
And when I think of it, it sends stabbings down my spine
Bored of working through the racing days
Don't fall through the concrete hole
Or anything else because that's just another fact
That they can't help you with
There's nothing new under the sun
And modern life has lost its fun
And anywhere I go, they'll take your money
I can't take it anymore
Bored of working through the racing days
Don't fall through the concrete holes
Or anything else because that's just another fact
That they can't help you with
Bored of working through the racing days
Don't fall through the concrete hole
Or anything else because that's just another fact
That they can't help you with
There's nothing new under the sun
And modern life has lost its fun
And anywhere I go, they'll take your money
I can't take it anymore
The song "TURN ROUND M8" by Rat Boy is a commentary on the struggles and monotony of working-class life in modern Britain. The opening lines of the song suggest a frustration with the daily grind, with the singer stating that they are "bored of working through the racing days." The reference to "concrete holes" highlights the bleak and oppressive nature of the urban landscape, with the suggestion that one wrong step could have serious consequences.
The second verse of the song is a more personal reflection on the challenges faced by working-class people, with the singer recounting a story of being robbed by a drug addict. The use of the derogatory term "cunt" to describe the robber adds a confrontational edge to the lyrics, while the singer's sense of powerlessness in the face of this crime is palpable. The repetition of the line "this ain't the first time" highlights the pervasive sense of insecurity and vulnerability that many people in similar situations experience.
The repeated chorus of "turn around, walk away, you might live another day" emphasizes the need for caution and self-protection in this harsh and unforgiving environment. The final lines of the song encapsulate the central theme of disillusionment and despair, with the singer lamenting that "modern life has lost its fun" and that "anywhere I go, they'll take your money." The tone of resignation and defeat is palpable, with the suggestion that there is no escape from the cycle of poverty and exploitation.
Line by Line Meaning
Bored of working through the racing days
Tired of living a monotonous life consumed by work
Don't fall through the concrete holes
Avoid the dangers of society's pitfalls
Or anything else because that's just another fact
Other hazards in life exist that can't be prevented
That they can't help you with
Individuals are on their own to face the world's threats
The cunt stunk of skunk as he grabbed me by the neck
A foul-smelling criminal violently attacked the artist
Trackies and North Face, a future court case
The attacker's clothing and the situation could lead to legal trouble
Wrong place wrong time, I'm a victim of a crime
The singer was unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and became a crime victim
My life and my belongings have done been put on the line
Both the artist's life and possessions have been endangered by the attack
If he gets caught he probably won't even get a fine
The attacker may not receive a serious punishment if caught
My shit already sold never get back what's mine
The stolen goods are already sold, making it challenging to recover them
The sad thing is, well, this ain't the first time
The singer has been in a similar situation before
And when I think of it, it sends stabbings down my spine
The thought of the attack causes the artist physical harm
There's nothing new under the sun
Life is repetitive and predictable
And modern life has lost its fun
Society has lost its luster
And anywhere I go, they'll take your money
People will always try to take advantage of others for financial gain
I can't take it anymore
The artist has reached their breaking point
Turn around, walk away
Leave the situation to protect oneself
You might live another day
Taking action may save one's life
Roses round the railings, picture what I'm saying
The singer describes a pleasant scene, but it's not always what it seems
Spending all your savings just to keep up with your cravings
People exhaust their financial resources trying to fulfil their desires
Wannabe road men cracked tarmac needs a mend
Aspiring criminals damage public property and need to be held accountable
Well, I start to wonder where all the money gets spent
The artist questions what society does with its money
On rent, we keep looking up for tomorrow
People spend a lot on rent in the hopes of having a better future
We beg, we steal, we borrow, next year no more sorrow
Individuals will do anything they can to avoid financial hardships in the future
And the sad thing is, well, this ain't the last time
This situation will occur again in the future
And when I think of it, it sends stabbings down my spine
Thinking about the financial struggle causes the singer physical harm
Bored of working through the racing days
Tired of living a monotonous life consumed by work
Don't fall through the concrete holes
Avoid the dangers of society's pitfalls
Or anything else because that's just another fact
Other hazards in life exist that can't be prevented
That they can't help you with
Individuals are on their own to face the world's threats
Bored of working through the racing days
Tired of living a monotonous life consumed by work
Don't fall through the concrete hole
Avoid the dangers of society's pitfalls
Or anything else because that's just another fact
Other hazards in life exist that can't be prevented
That they can't help you with
Individuals are on their own to face the world's threats
There's nothing new under the sun
Life is repetitive and predictable
And modern life has lost its fun
Society has lost its luster
And anywhere I go, they'll take your money
People will always try to take advantage of others for financial gain
I can't take it anymore
The singer has reached their breaking point
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAMON ALBARN, JORDAN LESLIE CARDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind