Originally, they used the moniker 'The Nightlife Thugs'. The name "The Boomtown Rats" comes from a gang of down-and-outs from Woody Guthrie's autobiography, which the folk artist titled 'Bound for Glory'. The guys gained fame due to their often cynical tunes, having several notable singles, yet their record is overshadowed by the charity work on behalf of famine relief of their lead singer. Geldof, being nicknamed 'Bob The Gob' by the media for his big mouth, attained international fame after spearheading efforts such as 'Live Aid'.
The Boomtown Rats itself scored several Top Ten hits in the UK charts during their commercial peak, from 1978 to 79, and their most famous songs, still to this day, are "Rat Trap" (a U.K. #1) and "I Don't Like Mondays" (another U.K. #1), the latter being their biggest hit and achieving international notoriety. The track was written on a tour of the US in 1979 when Bob Geldof heard a telex machine spouting the story of Californian schoolgirl Brenda Ann Spencer, a girl that went on wild shooting spree at a San Diego high school with what seemed like no provocation before or remorse afterward. She justified her killing spree with the excuse "I don't like Mondays".
Bob Geldof has been gifted with the art of story-telling through songs. Lyrics are mostly in third person, have clever double entendre meanings, often relating some story or incident, eg "Dave". Geldof's charity work has been centred around the issue of famine relief, and includes being the organiser for the Band Aid single, for which he brought a superstar pop lineup together to record a song to aid famine relief (at the time was the fastest selling single in Britain of all time) and organizing the LiveAid concerts, a 2-continent superstar live concert that raised over 100 million dollars for famine relief.
Guitarist Gerry Cott left the band in 1981 and the band became a quintet. They disbanded in 1986 following a charity concert in Ireland. Most of the band members have now moved on to solo projects or new bands.
The Boomtown Rats reformed in 2013 going on tour again and released a new best of album Back to Boomtown : Classic Rats Hits which includes two new recorded songs.
Drag Me Down
The Boomtown Rats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Like a ship that's going under..
Bring me home in rain and thunder)
Bless the night before the day grows old
(Like a ship that's going under...
Bring me home in rain and thunder)
Drag me down in colors pink and gold
I'll be home in rain and thunder)
Bless the night before the day grows old
(With pink and...With pink and gold)
It's just a moment of terror
A fraction of bliss
Your hearts in my mouth and
My soul's in your wrist
I love you I think
But is it always like this with you?
Tuck me up with stories I've been told
(Like a ship that's going under...
I'll be home in rain and thunder)
Then wake me up with days that come and go
(With pink and...With pink and...With pink and gold)
And when the record is over
The passion's been spent
The movie winds down and says "The End" in French
I'll turn on the lights
But do I have to pretend it's true?
I love you....oh, oh, oh, oh...
and...
I need you...oh, oh, oh, oh...
Drag me down, Drag me down, oh, oh, oh, oh...
Drag me down, Drag me down, oh, oh, oh, oh...
Drag me down in colors pink and gold.
The Boomtown Rats's song Drag Me Down is an evocative and mournful ballad of a relationship that is on the verge of collapsing. The opening line, "Drag me down in colors pink and gold", is an appeal for the lover to bring down the singer to the depths of despair they are currently experiencing, to feel the full impact of their emotions. The image of a ship going under emphasizes the feelings of being overwhelmed and sinking under the weight of their problems. The refrain "Bring me home in rain and thunder" serves as a metaphorical homecoming, where the singer feels safe and secure in the storm of their emotions.
The singer's ambivalent feelings towards the lover are conveyed in the chorus. They tuck the lover with stories but then wake up to the harsh reality of their relationship, where days come and go like clockwork. The line "Your hearts in my mouth and my soul's in your wrist" suggests the physical and emotional intensity of their love, but at the same time, it also hints at the singer's vulnerability and dependence on their lover, as their heart and soul are in their hands.
The final verse is a poignant reflection of the singer's love for the lover. They know that the passion will eventually fade away, and they will be left with nothing but lies and pretense. The French phrase "The End", which concludes the movie, is indicative of the finality and inevitability of their separation. Overall, Drag Me Down is an introspective and emotional track, featuring poetic lyrics that reflect the complexities and nuances of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Drag me down in colors pink and gold
Bring me down with colorful illusions that distract me from the reality of my situation
(Like a ship that's going under... Bring me home in rain and thunder)
I'm sinking like a ship and need to be rescued amidst thundering chaos
Bless the night before the day grows old
Let's celebrate the present moment before time passes us by
(With pink and...With pink and gold)
Let's keep the joyful energy going
It's just a moment of terror
This feeling of despair won't last forever
A fraction of bliss
Happiness can be fleeting, but it's worth experiencing nonetheless
Your hearts in my mouth and
You have the power to make me feel vulnerable and exposed
My soul's in your wrist
You have control over my emotions and well-being
I love you I think
I'm not entirely sure if what I feel is love
But is it always like this with you?
I question whether this intense, tumultuous relationship is sustainable
Tuck me up with stories I've been told
Lull me to sleep with comforting tales from my past
Then wake me up with days that come and go
Make me feel alive and present in the moment
(With pink and...With pink and...With pink and gold)
Let's keep the positive momentum going
And when the record is over
When the moment has passed
The passion's been spent
The intensity has faded
The movie winds down and says "The End" in French
The storyline has been concluded
I tell all the lies
I pretend like I'm happy and content
But do I have to pretend it's true?
I question whether I can continue faking my emotions
I love you....oh, oh, oh, oh...
I express my mixed feelings towards you
And...
Nevertheless,
I need you...oh, oh, oh, oh...
I admit my dependence on you
Drag me down, Drag me down, oh, oh, oh, oh...
Despite the pain and uncertainty, I still want to be with you
Drag me down, Drag me down, oh, oh, oh, oh...
I'm willing to be brought down with you
Drag me down in colors pink and gold.
Let's go on this emotional rollercoaster together, with all its ups and downs and vibrant illusions
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ELARD ANTONIO HUAMBACHANO SALAZAR
Drag me down in colors pink and gold
(Like a ship that's going under..
Bring me home in rain and thunder)
Bless the night before the day grows old
(Like a ship that's going under...
Bring me home in rain and thunder)
Drag me down in colors pink and gold
(Like a ship that's going under...
I'll be home in rain and thunder)
Bless the night before the day grows old
(With pink and...With pink and gold)
It's just a moment of terror
A fraction of bliss
Your hearts in my mouth and
My soul's in your wrist
I love you I think
But is it always like this with you?
Tuck me up with stories I've been told
(Like a ship that's going under...
I'll be home in rain and thunder)
Then wake me up with days that come and go
(With pink and...With pink and...With pink and gold)
And when the record is over
The passion's been spent
The movie winds down and says "The End" in French
I'll turn on the lights
But do I have to pretend it's true?
I love you....oh, oh, oh, oh...
And...
I need you...oh, oh, oh, oh...
Drag me down, Drag me down, oh, oh, oh, oh...
Drag me down, Drag me down, oh, oh, oh, oh...
Drag me down in colors pink and gold
Meghan Macaluso
To all the people saying that The Boomtown Rats’ performance sucked: I don’t think you get it. They got a cheaper sound system so they could use all the money for their cause. Their music, even on albums, wasn’t really ever about the sound, it was about the message and the passion. This is how this song should be performed. With passion and the concern of passion and getting the crowd unified more than how they actually sound. I actually prefer this version over the album version simple because it’s more emotional and raw and passionate.
yrly59e
Some people seem to hate this performance. I like it. I thought he had good energy and the crowd got behind it. It’s not always necessarily about sounding te best but about delivery, energy and performance as well. Sure there are better done live versions floating around but after organizing it all to still have the energy to get the crowd pumped is pretty impressive.
DesertRose122
Not a Geldof fan but he was so cool to organise this concert. It was brilliant- a piece of history never forgotten !
Scott Allison
I had this recording on tape. A completely mind blowing day in music!! 🥰🥰
OH_I _Will
Congratulations
Annette Payne
I've watched this an unhealthy amount of times . Love it so much it's giving me goose bumps with pride respect and adulation knowing this is the man behind this.
~Alondra21~
I love his energy
James McCulloch
Incredible performance, underrated song.
Lee Williams
Agree. Bladdy great song, not a big hit in 84/5 when released!
Laura Daniels
How did he have the energy to organize this massive event...AND perform?!?!