Richie Dagger's Crime
The Germs Lyrics


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I'm Richie Dagger
I can stomp and swagger
I can take on all your heroes
I'm Richie Dagger
I'm young and I'm haggard
The boy that nobody owns

He sits in his corner like a child despised
A crazy sort of cast comes over his eyes
That's Richie Dagger's crime

He's that sort of boy that was never much loved
His idea of fun was society's grudge
That's Richie Dagger's crime

His life was such a mess
And his friends weren't quite the best
But he was satisfied
That's Richie Dagger's crime
Suck me in and spit me out
Devour me in haste

I'm Richie Dagger
I can stomp and swagger
I can take on all your heroes
I'm Richie Dagger
I'm young and I'm haggard
The boy that nobody owns

He could set your mind ablaze
With sparkling eyes and visionary case
He stood like a remnant from an outbreak past
Wore something in his ear
And boy was he sass

I'm Richie Dagger
I can stomp and swagger
I can take on all your heroes
I'm Richie Dagger




I'm young and I'm haggard
The boy that nobody owns

Overall Meaning

The Germs' song "Richie Dagger's Crime" is a tribute to the band's friend and fellow musician, Richard Bates, who was known for his charismatic stage presence and fiercely individualistic personality. The song portrays Bates as a misunderstood outsider who defies conventional expectations and pursues his own path.


The lyrics describe Richie Dagger as a young man with a rebellious spirit, capable of taking on anyone who challenges him. He is portrayed as a figure of both danger and fascination, with a fierce energy that sets him apart from the crowd. Despite his swaggering persona, however, the song suggests that Richie is deeply troubled, with a chaotic personal life and a sense of alienation from the world around him. He is a "child despised" who has never been fully loved or accepted, and his "crime" is simply being himself in a world that doesn't understand him.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm Richie Dagger
I am Richie Dagger, the persona who is able to confidently and boldly stomp and swagger and is not afraid to take on other well-known figures.


I'm young and I'm haggard
I may still be young, but years of wear and tear have made me look older and more exhausted than I really am.


The boy that nobody owns
I am a lone wolf, a free spirit with no one trying to control or possess me.


He sits in his corner like a child despised
Richie is isolated and ignored, even scorned by his peers, and he has retreated to a corner, where he resembles a pitiful and rejected child.


A crazy sort of cast comes over his eyes
Something strange and unsettling appears to be happening to Richie's eyes, which could signify that he is not completely sane or normal.


That's Richie Dagger's crime
Richie Dagger's offense or defect is that he is an outcast and an oddball, who exhibits unusual behaviors that people find unappealing or unacceptable.


His idea of fun was society's grudge
Richie's idea of having a good time contradicts with society's norms and values, making it a target of their disapproval and disfavor.


His life was such a mess
Richie's existence was in shambles, chaotic, and full of problems that he couldn't solve or overcome easily.


And his friends weren't quite the best
The people Richie surrounded himself with were not the most trustworthy, supportive, or inspiring.


But he was satisfied
Even though Richie's life was far from perfect, he was content with what he had and was not striving to impress or please others.


Suck me in and spit me out
Richie desires to be consumed by life and its experiences, to be thrown around recklessly, taken in and then discarded like a piece of gum.


Devour me in haste
He prefers that life, with all its joys and sorrows, comes at him quickly and forcefully, like a predator devouring its prey.


He could set your mind ablaze
Richie Dagger's presence and charisma are so powerful and hypnotic that he can ignite a fire of inspiration, imagination, or passion in the minds of those who encounter him.


With sparkling eyes and visionary case
His eyes are bright, shiny and expressive, and his ideas or plans are innovative, exciting, and full of potential.


He stood like a remnant from an outbreak past
Richie's appearance is reminiscent of a previous era or culture, something that has long been gone, but is still lurking around, reminding you of its existence.


Wore something in his ear
Richie has an adornment or accessory in his ear that sets him apart from others and makes him even more intriguing or mysterious.


And boy was he sass
Richie's personality is snappy, insolent, and unyielding, and he is not afraid to speak his mind or challenge the status quo.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Darby Crash, Georg Ruthenberg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@yung_errbek142

My uncle was the first person to introduce me to punk. He saw me playing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 on my Dreamcast (LOL) and nodding my head to the Dead Kennedys "Police Truck." He said, if you like this song, you'll love the Germs. He gave me a bootleg CD of his and told me to listen to "Ritchie Daggers Crime." I was fucking hooked. Thanks Uncle Andy, you rule.

@lepwithabirthdefect

Not to be a dick, but police truck was on THPS Uno.

@paulbeahm3891

Richie dagger is the song that fully got me into the germs. I liked lexicon devil but didnt really get into the rest till I really listened to that oh whoa whoa. It was like an explosive realization like making sense of a piece of abstract art.

@AaronHendu

I worked with a guy in a factory, he worked a different shift...I never talked to him much...but found out he played in a punk band...so we started chatting here and there...I was young...maybe 16 or so...and he gave me this album, along with Bad Brains...and it was awesome. I'll never know why he gave me those CD's...we barely spoke...

@sabotaj18

Wholesome as FUCK

@brebnanrebb8843

punkles are my favorite people

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@Milligan777

Germs' greatest song.

@Brewzerr

RIP Lorna Doom.

@danirose7776

What

@gogoyubari366

No comment.

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