One of the first bands that Tim played in was Basic Radio. After Basic Radio disbanded, he performed in the ska punk band Operation Ivy under the nickname "Lint" from their beginning in 1987, until they disbanded in 1989. Soon thereafter, Armstrong helped found the Dance Hall Crashers, but left the band after a brief period of time. He was also in Downfall with Matt Freeman (Rancid). In 1991 Armstrong went on to greater fame with the very successful Rancid.
While still with Rancid, he also has a side-project, Transplants, which started with Armstrong, his friend "Skinhead Rob" Aston and a drum machine. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker later came on to replace the drum machine.
In addition to his projects, Armstrong has also been known to pop up on others' albums in various roles. He's contributed vocals, guitar, songwriting to tracks by bands including Box Car Racer, Cypress Hill, Bad Religion, Stubborn All-Stars, Head Automatica, The Specials, The Matches, Left Alone, NOFX, Fruit Cocktail, H2O, Dr. Israel, Agnostic Front, The Lordz, Time Again and Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, which is a side-project of his Rancid bandmate Lars Frederiksen.
He has collaborated with P!nk, the Aggrolites, Gwen Stefani, Buju Banton, Kelly Osbourne and Skye Sweetnam.
He has also produced several albums, including the debut albums by AFI, Answer That and Stay Fashionable (1995), The Gadjits, At Ease (1996), F-Minus, S/T (1999) and Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, S/T (2001).
Armstrong is still very active in the Berkeley scene that grew up around 924 Gilman Street. He has showcased his other artistic talents and created artwork for the INSAINTS logo. His artwork and photography are also to be seen on various cds of his own label HellCat, eg. Give 'em the Boot compilations, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards.
A new album by Rancid was set for an early 2007 release, but had been delayed as to the fall of 2008. As of recent the album has been set for a spring/summer 2009 release.
He has also done a solo album entitled A Poet's Life, which fans can download for free on the internet. He was releasing one song at a time, and has released a music video with each song.
Translator
Tim Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
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
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