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.
40oz to Freedom
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, 40 oz 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'
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, oh, I'm not goin' back
Oh not going back
God knows I'm not going back
God knows I'm not going back
Oh, I'm not goin' back
Oh not going back
God knows I'm not going back
God knows I'm not going back
The song "40oz. to Freedom" by Sublime is a reflection on a toxic relationship. The lyrics describe a woman who is wearing a red dress and has her hair permed. The lines, "screamin' that second gear was such a turn on" imply that she is reckless and enjoys the adrenaline rush. The singer is aware that this woman is not good for him and that she will leave him soon. However, he cannot help but ask her how she learned those new tricks, knowing that it will only lead to more trouble.
The song suggests that the only way to escape this destructive cycle of love and pain is through alcohol. The lyrics, "And the answers always waiting at the liquor store, 40 oz to freedom, so I take that walk" highlight how alcohol has become a coping mechanism for the singer. He acknowledges that he feels bad, but the "40 oz to freedom" provides him with a temporary escape from his pain. The song closes with a repetition of the line, "Oh, I'm not goin' back, God knows I'm not going back" emphasizing that the singer has no intention of returning to this toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got your hair permed
Commenting on the appearance of the person he's with
You've got your red dress on
Further describing the appearance of the person he's with
Screamin' that second gear was such a turn on
Commenting on the person's excitement from driving fast
And the fog forming on my window tells me that the morning's here
Observing weather conditions that indicate the time of day
And you'll be gone before too long
Expecting the person to leave soon
Who taught you those new tricks?
Questioning the person about their abilities
Damn I shouldn't start that talk,
Regretting bringing up the topic
But life is one big question when your starin' at the clock
Reflecting on how time passes and wondering about the meaning of life
And the answers always waiting at the liquor store, 40 oz to freedom,
Suggesting that alcohol provides answers and freedom
So I take that walk.
Choosing to go to the liquor store for answers and freedom
And I know that oh, I'm not comin' back
Realization that they won't return to their previous way of life
Oh not going back
Affirmation that they won't go back to their previous way of life
Oh God knows not going back
Claiming that not even God can make them go back to their previous way of life
You look so fine, when you lie, it just don't show,
Noticing when the person is lying and pointing out that it doesn't show
That I know which way the wind blows
Awareness or understanding of the situation
40 oz to freedom is the only chance I have to feel good,
Expressing that alcohol is the only way to feel good
Even though I feel bad
Acknowledgement that they feel bad and need alcohol to feel good
God knows I'm not going back
Repeating the affirmation that they won't go back to their previous way of life
Oh, I'm not goin' back
Final statement of determination not to go back to their previous way of life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
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!