The Ruts were a Punk Rock band from London, UK of the late 70s, early 80s. … Read Full Bio ↴The Ruts were a Punk Rock band from London, UK of the late 70s, early 80s. Combining straightforward beefy Punk tracks, such as Babylon is Burning and In A Rut with Dub Reggae classics like Give Youth A Chance and Jah War, they were most similar to The Clash in terms of stance and influence, walking the walk and talking the talk.

After meeting at the Deeply Vale Free Festival, The Ruts were formed on 18 August ]1977, the band consisted of Malcolm Owen (vocals), Paul Fox (guitar), John "Segs" Jennings (bass) and Dave Ruffy (drums).[1] As part of the Misty in Roots People Unite collective based in Southall, west London, the band were active in anti-racist causes and played a number of benefits for Rock Against Racism.

On 11 February 1980, the band returned to a BBC studio for their third Peel session, two tracks of which - "Demolition Dancing" and "Secret Soldiers" - later appeared on Virgin's posthumous Grin & Bear It album.

By this time singer Malcolm Owen was suffering with health problems; a combination of sore throats and a heroin addiction. A UK tour was arranged, the 'Back to Blighty' tour, but a number of dates had to be cancelled due to Owen's condition. What turned out to be the last Ruts gig with Malcolm took place at Plymouth Polytechnic on 26 February 1980.

Many of the Ruts best gigs were RAR (Rock Against Racism) gigs with Misty in Roots, and Jah War was written in response to the Southall Riots where the police attacked the Anti-Nazi League that were protesting a National Front march through the predominantly British Indian Southall area.

The Ruts, in their attitude, politics and music were truly representative of the best Punk had to offer. Sadly we were never to discover how they would develop as Malcom Owen, their charismatic front man, died of a heroin overdose on 14th July 1980, aged 26.

Criminal Mind
The Ruts Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

That criminal mind is really unkind
It's just for kicks, it's a habit that STICKS
You do what you wanna
I do what I wanna do

Ido it for the kicks
And it's a habit that STICKS

They'll put you back down and people push me ‘round
Well just for kicks, it's a habit that STICKS

You do what you wanna
I do what I wanna do

I do it for kicks
And it's a habit that STICKS 3x

Well the things that are possible once you dare
I've sussed the cake and it's on the take

You do what you wanna
I do what I wanna do

I do it for kicks
And it's a habit that STICKS 3x

Overall Meaning

The Ruts' song Criminal Mind explores the theme of indulging in criminal activities for the sake of adrenaline rush and pleasure. The lyrics depict the singer as an individual who enjoys involving themselves in criminal activities, despite being aware of their ill-fated consequences. They refer to the act as a habit that sticks, indicating a struggle with breaking free from their circumstance. The phrase "they'll put you back down and people push me ‘round" suggests that the criminal activity is the singer's way of taking control of their life and proving their power to those who may have sidelined them.

The chorus, "You do what you wanna, I do what I wanna do," highlights the singer's belief in individual autonomy and not submitting to external forces. The last verse, "Well the things that are possible once you dare, I've sussed the cake and it's on the take," implies the singer's confidence in the possibilities of confounding people with daring acts.

Line by Line Meaning

That criminal mind is really unkind
The mindset of a criminal is cruel and harmful.

It's just for kicks, it's a habit that STICKS
Committing crimes is done for enjoyment and has become an addiction.

You do what you wanna
You act to fulfill your desires.

I do what I wanna do
I act to fulfill my desires.

Ido it for the kicks
I commit crimes for enjoyment.

And it's a habit that STICKS
It has become a repetitive pattern and difficult to break.

They'll put you back down and people push me ‘round
Society reprimands criminals and I feel bullied by others.

Well just for kicks, it's a habit that STICKS
I still commit crimes for fun despite the repercussions.

Well the things that are possible once you dare
When you have the courage to do something, anything is possible.

I've sussed the cake and it's on the take
I have figured out a plan and it's working to my benefit.

I do it for kicks
I commit crimes for entertainment.