The band consists of singer-songwriter and guitarist Ted Leo, guitarist James Canty, bassist Marty 'Violence' Key, and drummer Chris Wilson. After his previous band, Chisel, broke up in the late 1990s, Ted recorded the Tej Leo(?) Rx Pharmacists [sic] album in 1999, followed by the Treble in Trouble EP in 2000.
His next album, 2001's The Tyranny of Distance, quickly gained him a cult following and critical praise. Dave Lerner and Chris Wilson became permanent members of the band during the tour that year, as did keyboard player Dorien Garry. James Canty (ex-Nation of Ulysses, Make-Up, etc.) also played with the band during this time.
The album Hearts of Oak followed in 2003, which also saw the release of the concert film Dirty Old Town and the Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead EP. Garry left the band before the recording of 2004's Shake the Sheets, which has led them into their current setup as a power trio. The new record featured fewer obscure references and more overt political content than his previous releases did, though his music has always been known for its engagement with politics.
The band tours extensively around North America. Leo is a strict vegan. His brother Chris Leo is also a singer/songwriter and a member of The Lapse. Ted Leo graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1994 with a degree in English.
Where Have All The Rude Boys Gone
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Lyrics
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a wrist for a razor, a heart is longing for bullets.
tension is high under sea and over sky.
pressure drop, people are acting foolish.
ooh - but it's easy to see!
ooh - we could dance and be free.
ooh - to that 2-tone beat!
but it looks like it's gone...
it's coming like a ghosst town - someone always knew it.
hatred and shame, a racialist game
cycles of blame - someone sang me through it.
who? well it's easy to see.
ooh - we could dance to be free.
ooh - to that 2-tone beat!
but it looks like it's gone...
i asked jerry, he told terry, terry sang a song just for me,
lynvall gave a message to me,
rhoda screamed and then she asked me,
"where have all the rude boys gone?"
The song "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone" by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists is a commentary on the loss of the ska music scene in the 1980s. The song's opening lyrics describe a feeling of despair and hopelessness, where people are seeking ways to take their own lives due to the tension and pressure of everyday life. The chorus offers a hopeful message that the two-tone beat of ska music could provide an escape from these feelings of despair and that dancing to ska could set people free. However, as the verses progress, it becomes clear that the ska scene that once provided this escape has disappeared, replaced by gangster and clown-like figures with a "stereotyped" sound.
The lyrics suggest that the loss of the rude boy subculture mirrored broader social and political changes. The second verse references "hatred and shame, a racialist game," suggesting that the decline of the ska scene was related to the rise of racial tensions in the UK, particularly between black and white communities. The song acknowledges that the decline of the ska scene was a complex phenomenon that affected people in different ways. The lyrics of the song deliberately reference the bands and singers who were part of the ska scene, highlighting the diversity of voices that contributed to the genre's popularity.
Line by Line Meaning
it's times like these when a neck looks for a knife,
In times of distress and despair, one may consider self-harm as a way out
a wrist for a razor, a heart is longing for bullets.
The pain is so overwhelming that one might contemplate suicide
tension is high under sea and over sky.
There is tension and unrest everywhere, on land and in water, above and below
pressure drop, people are acting foolish.
As the pressure rises people often act recklessly and make irrational decisions
ooh - but it's easy to see!
Despite all that is going on around us, there is still hope and clarity
ooh - we could dance and be free.
Dancing is a way to escape our problems and be free, at least momentarily
ooh - to that 2-tone beat!
The rhythm and sound of 2-tone music is uplifting and energizing
but it looks like it's gone...
The good times and carefree spirit of the past seem to be gone forever
gangsters and clowns with a stereotyped sound
Contemporary music is full of bands and performers who are fake and lack originality and creativity
it's coming like a ghosst town - someone always knew it.
The decline in music quality and creativity has been apparent for some time, and now it's like a ghost town
hatred and shame, a racialist game
There is a lot of racism, shame, and hate in the world, and it's like a game to some people
cycles of blame - someone sang me through it.
Blame and accusations are constantly being thrown around, but music has the power to help us cope and get through it
who? well it's easy to see.
The source of guidance and inspiration is clear to those who look for it
ooh - we could dance to be free.
Dancing is still a way to break free from the monotony and misery of life
ooh - to that 2-tone beat!
The rhythm and sound of 2-tone music can still bring joy and energy to our lives
but it looks like it's gone...
Despite our efforts to cling to the past, the spirit and energy of those times seem to be gone for good
i asked jerry, he told terry, terry sang a song just for me,
The singer reaches out to his friends for guidance and support, and they respond with music and song
lynvall gave a message to me, rhoda screamed and then she asked me,
Other friends also reach out to the singer, offering messages of hope and support
"where have all the rude boys gone?"
The singer wonders where the carefree, rebellious spirit of the past has gone, and if it can ever be recaptured
Contributed by Gianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.