The two musicians formed the Long Beach Dub Allstars with Opie Ortiz (the artist who created most of Sublime's tattoos and several of their album covers)on vocals, guitarist RAS-1 and Miguel, saxophonists Todd Foreman and Tim Wu, Jack Maness and Isaiah Owens on keyboards, and finally DJ Marshall Goodman.
After releasing some singles and compilations, they released their debute album "Right Back" on DreamWorks in 1999. In 2001 they released "Wonders of the World" once again on DreamWorks.
Long Beach Shortbus was formed after the Long Beach Dub Allstars disbanded in 2003 by the two founding members from Long Beach Dub Allstars Eric Wilson and RAS-1.
Like A Dog
Long Beach Dub All Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ruff ruff ruff...
Tripping down nations, de ba se dens
Nah nah nah...
On so many journeys
Always in a hurry
Just trying to make a living
But we won't stop, rocking the jam
Because we got the master plan
After tonight you'll be rocking my way
Field Marshall is the Boss DJ
People try to bruise me
but no words could ever hurt me
No no
Because the bun is in the oven
the baby's filled with lovin'
na na
Nah nah nah...
My love can move mountains
My faith is walking by you like a dog
(ruff ruff ruff...)
Be happy, sad, or vicious every mornin'
and I would die right next to you
(if I died, If I died)
Laundry trash and dishes stacking up 10 miles high
the bills are getting higher everyday
(day day day...)
Seeing that our mission has returned it to the victim
Nah nah nah...
Well you should never over look
what it takes to set the fish on the hook
close minded smile (plastic smile)
Makes you wonder why, wonder why oh why
Nah nah nah...
We can never hate the player
We can only hate the game
You can never point your finger down at me
We don't need no constitution
We don't need no mass confusion
We don't need no president to tell us we're free
Everybody wants a little taste of anarchy
Nah nah nah...
Cause my love can move mountains
And my faith is walking by you like a dog
The song "Like a Dog" by Long Beach Dub All Stars is a reggae-influenced track with deep and meaningful lyrics about the struggles of everyday life and staying true to oneself. The song begins with the sound of a dog barking, which is used as a metaphor to represent the constant journey and struggle that people face. The lyrics talk about the many different challenges that people face in their daily lives, such as work, bills, and relationships, but despite all of these challenges, the singer never loses hope.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, as it talks about the strength of love and faith. The singer professes that their love can move mountains, and that their faith is walking by them like a dog. This metaphorical reference to the loyalty and companionship of a dog is used to convey the idea that, no matter how difficult life gets, they will always have someone by their side.
The song also touches on deeper societal issues such as people's desire for anarchy, the role of the president in telling people they are free, and the relationship between players and the game. Overall, "Like a Dog" is a deeply personal and introspective song that seeks to empower listeners and remind them to stay true to themselves and their beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
1, 2, 1, 2, 3
The song begins with a rhythmic count-in before the lyrics start.
ruff ruff ruff...
The sound of dogs barking is used as an instrumental fill between lyrics.
Tripping down nations, de ba se dens
The band is on a global tour, visiting many different countries and cities.
Nah nah nah...
This is another instrumental fill using nonsense syllables to keep the rhythm.
On so many journeys
The band is constantly traveling from place to place.
Always in a hurry
They don't have much time in each location and must move on quickly.
Crossing so many bridges
This could refer to both literal bridges they cross on the road and metaphorical bridges they must cross to connect with their audience.
Just trying to make a living
The band is working hard to earn money through their music.
But we won't stop, rocking the jam
Despite the challenges of touring, the band is determined to always put on a good show.
Because we got the master plan
The band is confident in their abilities to perform and entertain.
After tonight you'll be rocking my way
The band hopes to win over new fans with their performance.
Field Marshall is the Boss DJ
A shout-out to Field Marshall, who acts as the band's DJ and helps keep the music flowing smoothly.
People try to bruise me
The band members have likely experienced criticism or negativity from others in some form during their career.
but no words could ever hurt me
The band members have thick skin and won't let negativity bring them down.
Because the bun is in the oven
This is a playful way of referring to a pregnancy - someone is expecting a baby.
the baby's filled with lovin'
The baby is anticipated with excitement and affection.
na na
More instrumental nonsense syllables.
My love can move mountains
The singer is deeply in love and feels powerful because of it.
My faith is walking by you like a dog (ruff ruff ruff...)
The singer's faith and devotion is unwavering, like a loyal dog walking by their side.
Be happy, sad, or vicious every mornin'
The singer is willing to endure both good and bad times with their partner, no matter what mood they wake up in.
and I would die right next to you (if I died, If I died)
The singer is so committed to their partner that they would even die alongside them.
Laundry trash and dishes stacking up 10 miles high
This line describes the ordinary household chores and responsibilities that can pile up and feel overwhelming.
the bills are getting higher everyday (day day day...)
The financial demands of life are constantly increasing.
Seeing that our mission has returned it to the victim
This line is hard to interpret and may suggest something about the band's sense of purpose or their feelings of being exploited.
Well you should never over look
The singer is offering some cautionary advice.
what it takes to set the fish on the hook
This is a metaphor for the importance of being patient and strategic in order to achieve success.
close minded smile (plastic smile)
The singer is criticizing people who seem fake or insincere, with forced smiles that hide their true feelings.
Makes you wonder why, wonder why oh why
The singer is questioning the motivations of these fake people.
We can never hate the player
The singer is suggesting that it's not the person but the system or circumstance that they are frustrated with.
We can only hate the game
The system or circumstance is the source of trouble, not the individuals stuck in it.
You can never point your finger down at me
The singer is not willing to be blamed for problems that are outside of their control.
We don't need no constitution
This line suggests a desire to be free from the rules and regulations of a governing body.
We don't need no mass confusion
The band is advocating for clarity and simplicity, free from things that cause chaos or uncertainty.
We don't need no president to tell us we're free
The band values personal freedom and independence, without the need for someone else to grant them that freedom.
Everybody wants a little taste of anarchy
The group is asserting that there is a universal desire for nonconformity and rebellion against established norms.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARSHALL GOODMAN, ERIC WILSON, RICHARD SMITH, OPIE ORTIZ, JACK MANESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind