Eek! Rats!

Written for Song Lyric Sunday –
Hickory Dickory Dock
This is my response to the challenge.

Over at Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday this week, the theme is Hickory Dickory Dock. Our challenge is to write a post on a song about rodents, suggested by our friend, Clive at Take It Easy. Thanks, Clive!

The Boomtown Rats is a trailblazing rock band that emerged in the late 1970s, renowned for their raw energy, thought-provoking lyrics, and ability to reinvent themselves across decades. Formed in 1975 in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, the band was founded by Bob Geldof (vocals), Garry Roberts (guitar), Johnnie Fingers (keyboards), Pete Briquette (bass), Gerry Cott (guitar), and Simon Crowe (drums). United by a shared love of punk and new wave influences, The Boomtown Rats quickly became a force to be reckoned with on the burgeoning Irish music scene.

The band’s big break came in 1977 with the release of their self-titled debut album. Their bold, politically charged sound and charismatic stage presence set them apart from their contemporaries. The Rats found international fame with a string of hits, including “Rat Trap,” the first-ever UK #1 single by an Irish band, and the iconic “I Don’t Like Mondays,” which topped charts around the world and showcased Geldof’s knack for poignant storytelling.

The 1980s marked a period of evolution for the band and its members. While their music continued to resonate, Geldof’s activism took center stage, culminating in his spearheading of the monumental Live Aid concert in 1985. The Boomtown Rats disbanded in 1986, with the members pursuing individual projects in music and beyond. After a hiatus of nearly three decades, the band reunited in 2013, reigniting their passion for music and reintroducing their catalog to a new generation. Their new music proves that The Boomtown Rats remain as relevant and defiant as ever, blending their signature sound with a modern edge. Today, the band continues to perform live, captivating audiences with a unique blend of high-energy rock and lyrical depth.

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In 1978, The Boomtown Rats released their second album, A Tonic for the Troops, which included the standout track “Rat Trap.” Written by Bob Geldof, the song was a gritty, narrative-driven piece that differed from their earlier punk style, featuring a more sophisticated arrangement and storytelling approach. The song tells the story of Billy, a young man feeling trapped by his situation in a dead-end town, longing for escape and a better life. “Rat Trap” was released as a single in October 1978 and quickly gained traction. It resonated with audiences for its relatable themes of frustration and disillusionment. The song’s success was bolstered by the band’s dynamic live performances and their growing reputation for delivering socially conscious music.

“Rat Trap” reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1978, making The Boomtown Rats the first Irish band to achieve this feat. The song’s success was a pivotal moment for the band, propelling them into the mainstream and establishing them as significant players in the rock music scene. It also marked a departure from the prevailing disco sound that dominated the charts at the time, signaling a resurgence of rock and punk influences. The success of “Rat Trap” had a profound impact on the band’s career. It paved the way for future hits and helped them secure a place in the annals of rock history. The song’s narrative style and thematic depth also set a precedent for their subsequent work, showcasing their ability to blend music with meaningful storytelling.

This is “Rat Trap” by The Boomtown Rats

LYRICS

There was a lot of rocking going on that night
Cruising time for the young bright lights
Just down past the gasworks, by the meat factory door
The five lamp boys were coming on strong

The Saturday night city beat had already started
And the, the pulse of the corner boys just sprang into action
And young Billy watched it all under the yellow street light
And said “tonight of all nights, there’s gonna be a fight”

Billy don’t like it living here in this town
He says the traps have been sprung long before he was born
He says “hope bites the dust behind all the closed doors”
And pus and grime ooze from its scab crusted sores

There’s screaming and crying in the high-rise blocks”
It’s a rat trap Billy, but you’re already caught
And you can make it if you wanna or you need it bad enough
You’re young and good-looking and you’re acting kind of tough

Anyway it’s Saturday night time to see what’s going down
Put on the bright suit Billy, head for the right side of town
It’s only 8 o’clock but you’re already bored
You don’t know what it is but, there’s got to be more
You’d better find a way out, hey kick down that door
It’s a rat trap and you’ve been caught

In this town Billy says “everybody’s trying to tell you what to do”
In this town Billy says “everybody says you gotta follow rules”
You walk up to those traffic lights
You switch from your left to right
You push in that button and that button comes alight
And hits you

“Walk, don’t walk
Walk, don’t walk
Talk, don’t talk
Talk, don’t talk”

Hey Billy take a walk, take a walk, take a walk
Billy take a walk, take a walk, take a walk
Billy take a walk, take a walk, take a walk
Hey Billy, take a walk with me

Take a walk that leads to me
Sweet high school blues

Oh little Judy’s trying to watch “top of the pops”
But mum and dad are fighting don’t they ever stop
She takes off her coat and walks down into the street
It’s cold on that road, but it’s got that home beat
Deep down in her pockets she finds 50p
Hey is that any way for a young girl to be?
I’m gonna get out of school work in some factory
Work all the hours God gave me get myself a little easy money
Now, now, now na na

Her mind’s made up, she walks down the road
Her hands in her pockets, coat buttoned ‘gainst the cold
She finds Billy down at the Italian cafe
And when he’s drunk it’s hard to understand what Billy says
But then he mumbles in his coffee and he suddenly roars
“It’s a rat trap Judy; and we’ve been caught”

Rat trap, you’ve been caught
In a rat trap, you’ve been caught……..
In a rat trap, you’ve been caught (the boys are ’round and they’re lookin’ for a mate)
In a rat trap, you’ve been caught……..

^{Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Bob Geldof
Rat Trap lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Mute Song Limited, Third Side Music Inc.}

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Now for something completely different. Most of you know from my Weird Al Wednesday posts that I can’t resist a laugh, a joke, or a funny parody; here’s a good one for you from the Twisted Christmas collection. Please don’t sic the ASPCA or PITA on my ass. No rodents were harmed in the making of this video.

This is “Chipmunks Roasting On An Open Fire” by Bob Rivers of Twisted Christmas.

Hickory Dickory Dock

Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week and every week and to Clive for his suggestion. Be sure to follow the links and check out their sites.

Thanks for stopping by for a look and a listen.

That’s all she wrote, kids. See you on the flip side. 😎

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