Sublime released three studio albums, one live album, five compilation albums (one of which also contains never-before released material), three EPs, and one box set. Although their first two albums—40oz. to Freedom (1992) and Robbin' the Hood (1994)—were quite popular in the United States, Sublime did not experience major commercial success until 1996 with their self-titled third album, released two months after Nowell's death, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the single "What I Got", which remains the band's only No. 1 hit single (on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart) in their musical career. As of 2009, the band has sold over 17 million albums worldwide, including about ten million in the U.S. alone. Michael "Miguel" Happoldt and Marshall "Ras MG" Goodman contributed to several Sublime songs.
Following Sublime's dissolution, former members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh founded the Long Beach Dub Allstars in 1997, which also included many frequent Sublime contributors such as Michael "Miguel" Happoldt (former member of The Ziggens), Marshall Goodman "Ras MG" (former Sublime member), and Todd Forman (3rd Alley). LBDAS disbanded in 2002, due to several members of the band breaking a no-drug vow they had taken. In 2009, the surviving members attempted to reform the band with Rome Ramirez, a young guitarist and admitted Sublime fan from California. However, not long after performing at Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival, a Los Angeles judge banned the new lineup from using the Sublime name as they needed permission from Nowell's estate, which owns the rights to the Sublime name. This prompted the lineup of Wilson, Gaugh and Ramirez to change their name to Sublime with Rome, which has since released three albums, although Gaugh left the group shortly after the release of their 2011 debut Yours Truly.
With the mainstream success of their self-titled album, going five times platinum and earning worldwide airplay, Sublime's influence persists to this day. Sublime was one of the most popular bands of the third wave of ska, specifically characterized as ska punk. Sublime often combined punk rock and hardcore punk with hip hop, heavy metal, dancehall, reggae, ska, funk, and (21st century) surf music. Sublime also has been described as 'reggae rock'.
Their signature sound and their songs are often associated with the beach and coastal areas of Southern California, such as San Diego, Orange County, Venice Beach and Long Beach as well as areas of Northern California like Eureka. Over two decades after Nowell's death and the band's breakup, Sublime remains immensely popular throughout North America, especially in its state of origin, California.
Sublime's songs have been featured via soundtrack in a variety of media. Los Angeles alternative rock radio station KROQ has listed Sublime at No. 3 in their annual "Top 106.7 biggest KROQ bands of all time" list for the past six years in a row, behind Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, and No. 81 at the "Top 166 Artists of 1980–2008" list.
With over 17 million units sold worldwide, Sublime is one of the most successful, and "powerfully moving" ska-punk acts of all time influencing many modern reggae and ska acts.
17. Rivers Of Babylon
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where he sat down
And there he wept when he remembered Zion
Oh from wicked, carry us away from captivity
Required from us a song
How can we sing king Alpha's song in a strange land?
And the meditations of our hearts
Be acceptable in thy sight
Override
By the rivers of Babylon
Where he sat down
And there he wept when he remembered Zion
Oh from wicked, carry us away from captivity
Required from us a song
How can we sing king Alpha's song in a strange land?
How can we sing king Alpha's song in a strange land?
The lyrics to Sublime's song "Rivers of Babylon" are adapted from Psalm 137 in the Bible, which describes the sorrow and longing of the Jewish people in captivity in Babylon. The first verse is a direct reference to the opening lines of the psalm, which speaks of the rivers of Babylon where the Jews sat and wept as they remembered their homeland of Zion. The second verse echoes the psalm's plea for deliverance from captivity, and the idea that the Jews were required to sing for their captors, even though they were in a strange land and could not truly sing the songs of their homeland.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power of words and meditation, and the idea that even in captivity, the Jews could still find a way to worship and connect with God. The repeated refrain of "How can we sing king Alpha's song in a strange land?" emphasizes the cultural dislocation and sense of loss that the Jews felt, as they were forced to adapt to a new and foreign way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
By the rivers of Babylon
We find ourselves in a foreign land near a river called Babylon
Where he sat down
We rested by the river of Babylon
And there he wept when he remembered Zion
Tears streamed down our face when we thought of our homeland, Zion
Oh from wicked, carry us away from captivity
We plead to be saved from the evil that captured us and took us as prisoners
Required from us a song
Our captors demanded that we sing a song
How can we sing king Alpha's song in a strange land?
We can't sing the praises of our ruler in this unfamiliar and hostile place
So let the words of our mouth
We ask that the words we speak
And the meditations of our hearts
And the thoughts in our hearts
Be acceptable in thy sight
Be pleasing to you, God
Override
Be more important than the demands of our captors
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Sentric Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Agustus Mcnaughton, Frank Farian, George Reyam, Brent Gayford Dowe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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