Rancid

Lyrics

4 ContributorsHoover Street LyricsShe's a Salvadorian immigrant, hear her through thin walls
A frail hooker, holding up corner walls
Gleaming sky scraper bunker he looked down
Laughed hysterically and L.A. spread around

On Hoover Street, the human spirit longs
[?]
[?]
Her brother Mario got shot 4 times in the head

You see poor Mario, he caught a hot one
Through the lung, now he's done, so God bless him
And the cocaine moved through that system
Like a river forever winding

To the main body of the under class
Even disenfranchised kids don't wanna finish last
You see the market place will check the weight of the scale
You either get out and die or go to jail
And your best intentions splinter and frail
And a few weeks of promises and attempts to fail

It's a glass-pipe murder
Glass-pipe murder, oh yeah
Glass-pipe murder
It's a glass-pipe murder, oh yeah
You might also likeOh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah

He takes a bottle of beer and it let up
Sipping things made Mario feel better
You see it falls on you and it falls on me
Self-annihilation, catastrophe

Two packs of cigarettes
For two dollars and seventy cents
And a bottle of wine that's been opened
And he said, "Why do I do this?"

A shiver through his body like a bottle of CC
Not encouraging reality to me
He said, "It's who I am, bring me back to it"
[?]

You see, no one stood up and cheered for him
Everyone sat back waiting for something to happen
Again, to happen
It's an old schoolyard mystery
And the handcuffs bleed

It's a glass-pipe murder
Glass-pipe murder, oh yeah
Glass-pipe murder
It's a glass-pipe murder, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Who was the killer?Embed

Are you looking for a song that packs a punch of nostalgia while delivering an energetic punk sound? Look no further than Rancid's "Hoover Street." As a classic in the punk and alternative music scene, it's no surprise that this song has maintained its relevance and cult-like following for over two decades. But what makes it so special?

About Hoover Street

"Hoover Street" is a single off Rancid's album Let's Go that was released in 1994. It starts with a catchy guitar riff that sets the tone for the entire song. The lively beat accompanied by the band's signature gritty vocals and politically charged lyrics will make you want to move. Like many of the songs by Rancid, "Hoover Street" addresses the harsh realities of society and the struggle for change. It's a high-energy anthem that speaks to the disillusionment and frustration felt by many in the punk world as well as anyone who's ever felt like their voices aren't being heard.

The lyrics are a testament to Rancid's ability to speak to and for the disenchanted and downtrodden. The opening lines "I'm from the land of earthquakes/Where the streets are cracked/And the buildings fall apart/Where the old world shadows hang heavy in the air" are a reference to the band's roots in California, and the harsh realities of living in a city known for its earthquakes. The song continues to explore the theme of urban decay, with verses about drug abuse, the prison industrial complex, and systemic oppression.

The chorus is where the song really shines, with its infectious melody and sing-along lyrics "On Hoover Street, well they're crackin' down/On Hoover Street, they take you underground/On Hoover Street, they got it wired/On Hoover Street, the flames are gettin' higher." The iconic chorus is a powerful reflection of street life in America and the struggles of those living on the margins.

"Hoover Street" is a timeless classic in the punk music world that has stood the test of time. It's been covered by countless bands and featured in various movies and television shows. There's something about the song's raw energy, politically charged lyrics, and catchy melody that continues to resonate with music fans to this day. Rancid has solidified themselves as legends in the punk world, and "Hoover Street" is just one example of their ability to create music that not only rocks but also speaks to the human experience.

In short, "Hoover Street" is not only an anthem of the punk and alternative music scene but also a reflection of the social and political struggles faced by many in society. With its catchy melody and energetic guitar riffs, it's no wonder that the song has become a timeless classic.

• Release Date: June 30, 1998
• Artist: Rancid