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.
40 Oz. To Freedom Version
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got your red dress on
Screamin' that second gear was such a turn on
And the fog forming on my window tells me that the morning's here
And you'll be gone before too long
Who taught you those new tricks?
Damn I shouldn't start that talk,
And the answers always waiting at the liquor store, forty ounce to freedom
So I take that walk
And I know that oh, I'm not comin' back
Oh not going back
Oh God knows not going back
Oh not goin'
And you look so fine, when you lie, it just don't show,
But I know which way the wind blows
A forty ounce to freedom is the only chance I have to feel good
Even though I feel bad
And I know that, oh, I'm not goin' back
Oh not going back
Oh God knows I'm not going back
Ohh
Oh, I'm not goin' back
Oh not going back
Oh God knows I'm not going back
Ohh
The lyrics of Sublime's "40 Oz. To Freedom" tell a story of a fleeting romance between the singer and a woman he meets, highlighting the effects of alcohol and addiction on their lives. The woman is described as having her hair permed, wearing a red dress, and driving the singer crazy with her reckless behavior. She seems to have a wandering spirit, as the fog forming on the window tells the singer that she will be gone before too long. The singer recognizes that their relationship is fleeting, but still seems unable to resist her.
The chorus of the song brings attention to the singer's reliance on alcohol to cope with the pain of the relationship. He compares his addiction to a "40 ounce to freedom," implying that it is the only way he can feel good despite feeling bad. He acknowledges that he is not coming back from this addiction, pointing to the song's title as a warning of the consequences of such a lifestyle.
Overall, the lyrics of "40 Oz. to Freedom" paint a vivid picture of the dangers of addiction and the fleeting nature of relationships. The song is a cautionary tale about the destructive power of addiction and the toll it takes on one's relationships and mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got your hair permed
You changed your appearance and got a perm
You've got your red dress on
You're wearing a red dress
Screamin' that second gear was such a turn on
You get excited about driving your car in second gear
And the fog forming on my window tells me that the morning's here
The fog on the window indicates it's morning
And you'll be gone before too long
You'll be leaving soon
Who taught you those new tricks?
I'm curious where you learned your new skills
Damn I shouldn't start that talk,
I probably shouldn't bring that up
But life is one big question when your starin' at the clock
When you're bored and have nothing to do time seems to slow down
And the answers always waiting at the liquor store, forty ounce to freedom
To forget about our problems we can turn to alcohol
So I take that walk
I'll go for a walk to the liquor store
And I know that oh, I'm not comin' back
I'm not planning on coming back
Oh not going back
I'm definitely not going back
Oh God knows not going back
I swear I'm not going back
And you look so fine, when you lie, it just don't show,
Even though you're lying, you still look good
But I know which way the wind blows
I know the truth about you
A forty ounce to freedom is the only chance I have to feel good
The only way I can feel good is to drink a forty-ounce bottle of beer
Even though I feel bad
Even though I know I shouldn't, I'll still drink to feel good
And I know that, oh, I'm not goin' back
I'm seriously not coming back
Oh not going back
I refuse to go back
Oh God knows I'm not going back
I swear to God I'm not going back
Oh, I'm not goin' back
I'm done, I'm not going back
Oh not going back
I repeat, I'm not going back
Oh God knows I'm not going back
I swear on my life, I'm never going back
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: MARSHALL GOODMAN, BRADLEY NOWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DebbieBassParanormalgirl68
Lyrics
You've got your hair permed
You've got your red dress on
Screamin' that second gear was such a turn on
And the fog forming on my window tells me that the morning here
And you'll be gone before too long
Who taught you those new tricks?
Damn I shouldn't start that talk,
but life is one big question when your starin at the clock
And the answers always waiting at the liquor store, 40 oz to Freedom,
so I'll take that walk.
And I know that ohhhh...I'm not comin back
Ohh not going back
God knows not going back
You look so fine when you lie it just don't show,
That I know which way the wind blows
40 oz to freedom is the only chance I have to feel good,
even though I feel bad
And I know that ohhhh...I'm not comin back
Ohh not going back
God knows I'm not going back
God knows I'm not going back
@cellblocknine5385
Sublime got me through high school. I loved those simple times. Smoking weed, partying at the beach, being young and having our whole lives ahead of us. What amazing times I had and Sublime was a huge part of my life and identity. I'm 28 now and if I could go back to those days I totally would.
@armandoadame412
Thats nothing wait till you hit 40. Be good thats the better life.
@phildimarco2908
@@armandoadame412 I just turned 40 thinking the same thing
@armandoadame412
@@phildimarco2908 yeah my friend life is short, I lost my marriage for been an alcoholic and drug addict got deported after 33 years in USA. I started a new life been sober for 4 months I been going to A.A. meetings here in Mexico. You just have to keep going and keep your head up.
@BrVi_7
Same here. Except in my school kids idolized Brad to the point that a few followed in his footsteps and end up dying the same way.
@testycalls5079
Shit I'm 41 and they were the same for me and my friends. Always on, always bangin.
@ericthiel4053
Man, reminds me of skipping class senior year, bong rips, playing doom on ps1 cranking this album till midnight... so grateful I grew up in the 90s (graduated in 2000) and grateful for sublime. A wise old hippy dude at my first job said "don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!! " that's the way I take sublime now. RIP Brad.
@joey3032
I was 17-18 at Woodstock 99” and so many established/ newer up and coming bands were there. I’m a early 80 ‘s. - 90’ s guy and the change from tapes- cds and then having internet access to music, was a wild ride!Bands like sublime and people like Brad, paved a way for us all bro. Nicely put!🤟🏻😊🙏🏻🤪🥰🎸🤟🏻❤️
@ifartinelevators
You went to bed at midnight your senior year?
@theatticdesignsCO
This is my fiance's favorite song ever we listen to it all the time. He passed away on New Year's a few days ago, we will be playing this at his memorial next week. Thank you for making this song!