It's a very small world in the middle of a crowd
The room gets dark when the music gets loud
Treble cuts through' when the rhythm takes the bite
But there's no room to move 'cause the floor is packed tight

A voice shouts loud
"We'll never surrender"
A voice in the crowd
"Never surrender"

A hand in the crowds flying propaganda,
"Never surrender, we'll never surrender"

The skins in the corner are staring at the bar
The rude boys are dancing to some heavy heavy ska
It's getting so hot people are dripping with sweat
The punks in the corner are speeding like a jet

Staring at the rude boys
Staring at the rude boys
Dancing with the rude boys
Dancing with the rude boys
Staring at the rude boys
Staring at the rude boys

A bunch of peers march in on the DM's
With some standing there saluting the air
They want to be pirates but the sea is not calm
Tattooed crossbows on their arm

A voice shouts loud
"We'll never surrender"
A voice in the crowd
"Never surrender"

Another hand fly, fly propaganda,
Propaganda, propaganda

The lights come alive in a blinding flash
Dance floor clears as the mutants clash
Everyone leaves when the heavy's arrive
Someone hits the floor, someone takes a dive

Staring at the rude boys
Staring at the rude boys
Dancing with the rude boys
Dancing with the rude boys
Staring at the rude boys
Staring at the rude boys

Staring at the rude boys
Staring at the rude boys
Dancing with the rude boys
Dancing with the rude boys
Staring at the rude boys
Staring at the rude boys

[Repeat: x8]
We'll never surrender


Lyrics submitted by Cosbynaut, edited by BlueDiamondx3, BoudiccaJones

Staring at the Rude Boys Lyrics as written by Jennings Fox

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Staring At The Rude Boys song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

3 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    It's about going to a show and watching the scene unfold. The "Rude Boys" were followers of the two-tone Ska movement, and they had a distinctive style of dress, wearing white shirts, black coats and skinny ties, often with a fedora and sunglasses to complete the look. In this song, the Punks and Skinheads watch the Rude Boys until the inevitable fight breaks out.

    BlueDiamondx3on July 12, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great song by one of my favourite bands.

    Back in the late 70's it was very tribalistic. I remember going to discos where the kids were all split into different groups (by genre). This song seems to document the building tension between these groups - they coexist in an uneasy truce until the Doc Martin'ed politicos arrive (is tattooed crossbows a reference to swastkas ? - racial tension being a theme in Ruts songs) and the place erupts.

    Treble cuts through' when the rhythm takes the bite - is a cool line ❤️

    andy102740on May 31, 2020   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    *...a bunch of BM's march on on th DM's. not peers ( BMs=skins, British Movement. DM's are obviously Dr Martens, punk wear usually

    • ... tattooed CROSSBONES not cross bows ( you know...like...PIRATES?

    • ... VICTIMS clash not mutants wtaf

    • ... another head bowed not another hand fly....

    Lost interest now, but this attempt at these lyrics are pitiful.

    No point trying to remedy these ridiculous lyrics, they never change them

    BoudiccaJoneson May 02, 2022   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.