Rancid

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Olympia, WA album cover

Olympia, WA

Rancid

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Tim Armstrong]
Hangin' out with Lars down on 6th Street
He knew that I was in trouble
I was feelin' much like the devil
There was somethin' burnin' deep inside of me
Ran into three Puerto Ricans
These girls took us to the fun house
Where we played a lonely pinball machine

[Chorus]
Hangin' on the corner of 52nd and Broadway
Cars passin' by but none of 'em seem to go my way
An' New York City, well, I wish I was on the highway
Back to Olympia

[Verse 2: Tim Armstrong]
I'm havin' a hard time understandin'
It gets all too demandin'
She's all gone and I'm stranded
Somethin' burnin' deep inside of me
All I know it's 4'o'clock and
She ain't even showed up and
I watched a thousand people go home from work
Yeah

[Chorus]
Hangin' on the corner of 52nd and Broadway
Cars passin' by but none of 'em seem to go my way
An' New York City, well, I wish I was on the highway
Back to Olympia
[Interlude]

[Verse 3: Tim Armstrong]
How many times will it take me
Before I go crazy?
Before I lose everythin'?
Somethin' burnin' deep inside of me
Ran into three Puerto Ricans
These girls took us to the fun house
I don't wanna be alone again

[Chorus]
Hangin' on the corner of 52nd and Broadway
An' cars passin' by but none of 'em seem to go my way
An' New York City, well, I wish I was on the highway
Back to OlympiaEmbed

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Olympia, WA is a song by the punk rock band Rancid, written in tribute to Tobi Vail, the drummer of Bikini Kill, who lived in Olympia, Washington. The song was written by Tim Armstrong, the lead vocalist and guitarist of Rancid, in the mid-90s. The song is a fast-paced, high-energy punk rock anthem that captures the spirit of the punk rock scene in Olympia. The song has become a classic in the punk rock genre and is regarded as one of Rancid’s best songs.

About Olympia, WA

Olympia, WA is a song that captures the essence of the punk rock scene in Olympia, Washington. The song was written in tribute to Tobi Vail, the drummer of Bikini Kill, who lived in Olympia. Vail was a key figure in the punk rock scene in Olympia in the 1990s, and her influence is felt throughout the song.

The song begins with a fast-paced guitar riff and a driving drum beat that sets the tone for the rest of the song. Armstrong’s vocals are aggressive and passionate, and his lyrics capture the energy and spirit of the punk rock scene. The chorus of the song is catchy and anthemic, with Armstrong shouting “Olympia, WA” over and over again.

The lyrics of the song are a celebration of the punk rock scene in Olympia and the people who were a part of it. Armstrong sings about the “kids in the scene” who “live for rock and roll” and the “girls and boys” who “make a lot of noise”. The song is a tribute to the DIY ethos of punk rock, with Armstrong singing about the “garage bands” and the “zines” that were a part of the scene in Olympia.

The song is also a love letter to Tobi Vail. Armstrong sings about how he fell in love with her and how they had an argument that ended their relationship. Despite this, Armstrong still has a deep respect and admiration for Vail and her contribution to the punk rock scene in Olympia. The song is a testament to the power of punk rock and the bonds that are formed in the scene.

Olympia, WA is one of Rancid’s most popular songs, and it has been covered by many other punk rock bands over the years. The song is a classic in the punk rock genre and continues to inspire new generations of punk rockers to this day.

The punk rock scene in Olympia, Washington was an important part of the punk rock movement in the 1990s. Olympia was home to many influential punk rock bands, including Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, and Unwound. The scene was characterized by a DIY ethos and a commitment to social and political activism. The punk rock scene in Olympia was a place where misfits and outcasts could come together and find a sense of community and belonging.

Rancid was a key part of the punk rock scene in the 1990s, and their music was heavily influenced by the punk rock scene in Olympia. The band’s fast-paced, high-energy punk rock music was a perfect fit for the scene, and their lyrics captured the spirit of the punk rock movement.

In Olympia, punk rock was more than just a genre of music—it was a way of life. The scene was known for its vibrant DIY culture, with bands recording and distributing their own music and zines. The scene was also known for its commitment to social and political activism, with bands using their music to speak out against sexism, homophobia, racism, and other forms of oppression.

Despite the fact that the punk rock scene in Olympia was relatively small, it had a significant impact on the punk rock movement as a whole. The scene produced many influential bands and artists, and its influence can still be felt in the punk rock scene today.

Wrapping Up

Olympia, WA is a classic punk rock anthem that captures the spirit of the punk rock scene in Olympia, Washington. The song is a tribute to the DIY ethos of punk rock and the people who were a part of the scene. It is also a love letter to Tobi Vail and her contribution to the punk rock movement. The song continues to inspire new generations of punk rockers and is regarded as one of Rancid’s best songs.

The punk rock scene in Olympia was an important part of the punk rock movement in the 1990s. It was a place where misfits and outcasts could come together and find a sense of community and belonging. The scene was characterized by a DIY ethos and a commitment to social and political activism. Despite its relatively small size, the punk rock scene in Olympia had a significant impact on the punk rock movement as a whole, and its influence can still be felt today.

In short, Olympia, WA is more than just a song—it’s a celebration of punk rock culture and the people who made it happen.

  • Release Date: August 22, 1995
  • Artist: Rancid