Third World is a Jamaican reggae group consisting of William 'Bunny Rugs' C… Read Full Bio ↴Third World is a Jamaican reggae group consisting of William 'Bunny Rugs' Clark (vocals), Steven 'Cat' Coore (guitar, cello, harmonica, vocals), Richard 'Richie' Daley (bass, vocals), Herbert Harris (Keyboard), and Tony Williams (drummer).

They were formed in 1973 and are still releasing records today. Their lineup has changed over the years, as has their musical style, although it has not strayed too far from the "roots reggae" style that they are generally categorized as.

With Dean Pond in the touring lineup (Dean Pond, founder of Dub Mystic and one time musical director and drummer for Culture, and V.I. producer of the year) this year (??) should prove to be even bigger for Third World.

Get Outta Town
Third World Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bad boys - get outta town - hey
Bad Boys - you'd better get outta town

Say
There's a wanted poster of their faces
All over town
And all the rumors we heard
Are certainly true

'Bout their trail of beatings
And their evil madness
Hurtin' innocent people like me and you

I'm saying
Bad boys - get outta town - yeah
we got ta leave ya 'hind
Bad boys - get outta town

Say
They were outlaws
From Britain to New York
And Kingston for the runnings
Jumpin' bail in Toronto, Nairobi and Spain
Running out of cities, they've gone to Miami
Only to find that Miami Vice knew their name (and knew their name)

Bad boys - get outta town - yeah
Ya got to leave ya 'hind
Bad boys-you'd better get outta town
Now they were runnin' like rats

Bad boys - get outta town - yeah
Bad boys - you'd better get outta town
You're too rude

Now their backs' against the wall
And they face the bounty hunter
And their creature reputation can't
Pull their frown-No it can't
Eye to eye
Now they're facing the conquering liar
'Gainst the good thinking people, me and you-

I'm saying
Bad boys - you'd better get outta town
You have to leave ya 'hind
Bad boys - you'd better get outta town........

Overall Meaning

The song “Get Outta Town” by Third World is a warning to bad boys to leave town before they get caught. The lyrics begin by describing a “wanted poster” with the face of the bad boys on it, suggesting that they’ve been causing trouble in the town. The rumors of their “trail of beatings” and “evil madness” are true, and they’ve been hurting innocent people. To protect the community, Third World sings for the bad boys to “get outta town” and leave them alone.

The song then describes the bad boys as “outlaws,” moving from city to city to avoid being caught. They’ve been to places like Toronto, Nairobi, and Spain, but even in Miami they can’t escape their reputation. As the song progresses, the bad boys get increasingly desperate and paranoid, feeling as though their “backs are against the wall.” They’re facing a “bounty hunter” and “good thinking people” who want them out of the town.

Overall, “Get Outta Town” is a warning against violence and crime, with Third World singing for the bad boys to leave town before they get caught. It’s also a testament to the power of community and the strength of people coming together for a common goal.

Line by Line Meaning

Bad boys - get outta town - hey
Addressing the bad boys and warning them to leave town.

Say There's a wanted poster of their faces All over town And all the rumors we heard Are certainly true 'Bout their trail of beatings And their evil madness Hurtin' innocent people like me and you
Explaining the reason for the warning - there are wanted posters and rumors about their violent and evil behavior that has been hurting innocent people.

I'm saying Bad boys - get outta town - yeah we got ta leave ya 'hind Bad boys - get outta town
Reiterating the warning and urging the bad boys to leave town, leaving their bad behavior behind.

Say They were outlaws From Britain to New York And Kingston for the runnings Jumpin' bail in Toronto, Nairobi and Spain Running out of cities, they've gone to Miami Only to find that Miami Vice knew their name (and knew their name)
Providing some background information about the bad boys, who are outlaws that have been running from city to city, but have now ended up in Miami where they are known by the police.

Bad boys - get outta town - yeah Ya got to leave ya 'hind Bad boys-you'd better get outta town Now they were runnin' like rats
Continuing to urge the bad boys to leave town, emphasizing that they are running away like rats.

Bad boys - get outta town - yeah Bad boys - you'd better get outta town You're too rude
Calling the bad boys rude and repeating the warning to leave town.

Now their backs' against the wall And they face the bounty hunter And their creature reputation can't Pull their frown-No it can't Eye to eye Now they're facing the conquering liar 'Gainst the good thinking people, me and you-
Describing how the bad boys are cornered with their reputation not helping them escape, and they are facing the authorities and the good people of the town.

I'm saying Bad boys - you'd better get outta town You have to leave ya 'hind Bad boys - you'd better get outta town........
Repeating the warning and urging the bad boys to leave town again, leaving their bad behavior behind to avoid facing the consequences.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAM ALEXANDER CLARK, K. MICHAEL M. COOPER, STEPHEN HALDANE COORE, RICHARD DALEY, WILLIAM JOHN LEE STEWART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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