Translator
Tim Armstrong Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm gonna ride, ride
Up to the tip top, never stop, always drop
One shot, one stop, play the punk rock
And when the cops stop
It's a timeless joint set to one drop
And all the girls, you were the one
We stood above everyone
You took it hard girl, you never had fun
So drop your bag girl, please don't run
Ride it up, tie it up, drink it on down
Tip it up, sit it up kick it uptown
And tell me exactly girl when you come around
Cause I'll wait for you, girl, I won't back down

Girl I only want what was best for you
Girl I only want what was best for you

I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you

This girl's a real heart-breaker
Different dialect, needs a translator
I'll make a choice, not wait for later
Life goes on, no I don't hate her
Hey I get it, I got it, I'm down
Roll it, hit it, kick it around
Ha ha, I kick it around
But my feet remain planted on the fucking ground
One time heroin, one time gone
First time against it, then you sing along
That's what happens when your life goes wrong
I've got nothing but truth in my song

Girl I only want what was best for you
Girl I only want what was best for you

I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you

Girl I only want what was best for you
Girl I only want what was best for you

I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you




I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you

Overall Meaning

The song "Translator" by Tim Armstrong is a fast-paced punk rock tune with a complex mix of emotions and imagery. The lyrics seem to describe a woman who is difficult to understand or communicate with - hence the need for a "translator" - but who the singer still cares about deeply. The first verse sets the scene for the punk rock lifestyle: riding up to the top and never stopping, playing punk rock music, and getting into trouble with the cops. Despite this, the singer remembers a girl who "never had fun" and "took it hard," possibly implying she is not part of the punk scene.


The chorus repeats the line "Girl I only want what was best for you," reflecting the singer's protective feelings towards the woman. The second verse touches on drug use, with references to heroin and the negative effects it can have on a person's life. The line "That's what happens when your life goes wrong" suggests that drug use may have played a role in the woman's troubles. However, the singer still sees "nothing but truth" in his music, perhaps implying that punk rock can provide an honest and authentic outlet for expressing difficult emotions and experiences.


In the end, the song leaves the listener with a sense of complexity and ambiguity. The singer cares about the woman, but seems frustrated by her behavior and unsure how to communicate with her. The repeated chorus lines suggest a genuine desire to help and protect, but also a recognition that sometimes things in life just don't work out the way we want them to.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna ride, ride
I am determined to move forward and overcome any obstacles.


Up to the tip top, never stop, always drop
I will keep pushing myself to reach the top, never giving up and always performing well.


One shot, one stop, play the punk rock
I'm going to give everything that I have, going all-out and playing hard, like in punk rock.


And when the cops stop
If authority tries to hold me back or stop me, I won't let them.


It's a timeless joint set to one drop
My music has a classic and enduring quality set to a steady rhythm.


And all the girls, you were the one
Out of all the girls I've known, you were the one who stood out and was special to me.


We stood above everyone
We were unique and stood out from the rest of the group.


You took it hard girl, you never had fun
You had a difficult time and didn't enjoy yourself much.


So drop your bag girl, please don't run
Let go of your baggage and don't try to escape, stay with me.


Ride it up, tie it up, drink it on down
Let's enjoy ourselves, party hard, and drink up.


Tip it up, sit it up kick it uptown
Let's take our drinks to the next level and have a wild time uptown.


And tell me exactly girl when you come around
Let me know exactly when you plan to visit or meet with me.


Cause I'll wait for you, girl, I won't back down
I'll be patient for you to arrive and won't give up on our relationship.


This girl's a real heart-breaker
This girl has a tendency to break hearts and cause emotional pain.


Different dialect, needs a translator
She has a unique and unfamiliar way of communicating that requires interpretation.


I'll make a choice, not wait for later
I will make a decision and take action instead of hesitating or delaying.


Life goes on, no I don't hate her
Even though life moves on and she's caused pain, I don't hold any ill will towards her.


Hey I get it, I got it, I'm down
I understand the situation and am prepared to deal with it.


Roll it, hit it, kick it around
Let's keep things moving and continue to enjoy ourselves.


Ha ha, I kick it around
I'm not taking things too seriously and am just having fun.


But my feet remain planted on the fucking ground
Despite having fun and enjoying myself, I am still grounded and not getting carried away.


One time heroin, one time gone
There was a time when I struggled with addiction, but I'm not letting it control me now.


First time against it, then you sing along
I used to be opposed to drugs, but ended up succumbing to their influence.


That's what happens when your life goes wrong
Sometimes life can take a turn for the worse and lead us down a destructive path.


I've got nothing but truth in my song
My music is honest and authentic, reflecting my true feelings and experiences.


Girl I only want what was best for you
I truly wished for the best outcome for you, and had your interests in mind.


I only wanted what was best for you
All I ever wanted was for you to be happy and succeed.


I only wanted what was best for you
My intentions were always pure and focused on your well-being.


I only wanted what was best for you
I had no ulterior motives or selfish desires, only your best interests at heart.


Girl I only want what was best for you
I hope you understand that everything I did was because I sincerely cared about you.


I only wanted what was best for you
I'll always want the best for you, even if we are no longer in each other's lives.


I only wanted what was best for you
My love and concern for you will always remain, even if circumstances have changed.


I only wanted what was best for you
Above everything else, my ultimate goal was to see you happy and fulfilled.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Alex Harris

I'm gonna ride (ride)
Up to the tip top
Never stop, always drop
One shot, one stop
Play the punk rock
And when the cops stop
It's a timeless joint set to one drop

And all the girls
You were the one (oh yeah)
You stood above
Everyone
You took it hard
Girl you never had fun
So drop your bag
Girl please don't run

Ride it up, tie it up, drink it up down
Tip it up, sip it up, kick it Uptown
And tell me exactly girl when you come round
'Cause I'll wait for you girl I won't back down

Girl I only want
What was best for you
Girl I only want
What was best for you

I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you

This girl's a real heartbreaker
Different dialects needs a translator
I make a choice, not wait for later
Life goes on, no I don't hate her

Hey, I get it
I got it on down
Roll it, hit it
I kick it around

Haha I kick it around (I kick it around)
But my feet remain planted on the fuckin' ground
One time heroin, one time gone
First time against it, then you sing along
That's what happens when your life goes wrong (right)
I got nothin' but truth in my song

Girl I only want
What was best for you
Girl I only want
What was best for you

I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you

Girl I only want
What was best for you
Girl I only want
What was best for you

I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you

I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you
I only wanted what was best for you

https://www.facebook.com/lvngubrthlss



All comments from YouTube:

Skariachies

Tim in my opinion is one of the best song writers in our day and age.

Deerhunter

Tim Armstrong can do no wrong, a very talented man 👌👌

da josch

in a perfect world this would be n1 all over the word in the Charts!
Tim is a LEGEND!

Reefbreak Records

true

E

wow this guy actually makes me feel like there is hope for music and a future for ska rocksteady and punk

Pedro Ortiz

I always loved rancid but when I heard a poets life I learned to love all kinds of badass ska shit, he fucking nailed it in this album

L G

💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

Jon Skinner

Better late than never, brother:)

Widi Munandar

Simple, easy listening and the message so clear

Canadian East Coaster

and now Tim sharing the stage with The Specials, just amazing. You're the man TIm

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