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.
54-46 Was My Number
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And give it to a police man?
I wouldn't do that, I wouldn't do that
If I did that, would you say
"Sir, come down and put the charge on me"?
I wouldn't do that, oh, I wouldn't do that
I'm not a fool to hurt myself
But I was innocent to what they done to me
Give it to me, one time (Ooh, give it to me, yeah)
Give it to me, two times
Give it to me, three times
Four times
Oh, 54-46 was my number, what's my number now?
Right now, somebody else has that number
One more time
54-47 was my number, what's my number now?
Right now, somebody else has that number
Say, Boops say, one go with him up, yes
Say, Boops say, want keep him, keep him on him back, sing!
Say, Boops say, me want to take off her dress, huh
Say, Boops say, I've kissed and caressed
Cause we're jillin' it and we're chillin' it into the club all night
We're jillin' it and we're chillin' it into the club all night, boys
Hearin' the dog, feeling the beat, in the dog pound
D.J., "Lord have his grilled cheese"
'Cause some jealous punk
Snuck up around the back
Tried to take the lovin' over me
Lord, I got into a fist fight
And wound up in jail all night
Ah, give it to me one time (Ooh yes, mmm, my pussy)
Give it to me two times
Give it to me three time
Four time
In Sublime's song "54-46 That's My Number," the singer addresses a law enforcement officer, asking him to listen to what he's saying and to put his hands up. He assures the officer that he has not done anything wrong and would never willingly hand over anything to the police to incriminate himself. If the police do have something on him, he would willingly allow them to charge him for it. The lyrics speak of the singer's own experience, having been held in custody and locked up despite being innocent. The song also incorporates a repeated chant of "54-46 was my number," which refers to the prison number assigned to the singer during his time of confinement.
The song has a deeper meaning than just being about the singer's personal experience. It also speaks to a larger issue in society regarding police brutality and the mistreatment of prisoners. By incorporating the repeated chant of "54-46 was my number," the song highlights the dehumanization of prisoners in the eyes of law enforcement and society as a whole. The song also touches on themes of empowerment and resilience, as the singer asserts his innocence and proclaims that he cannot be held down or controlled by anyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Stick it up, mister
Demanding someone to raise their hands.
Can you hear what I'm saying now, yeah
Asking if the message is being received and understood.
Get your hands in the air, sir
Reiterating the demand for someone to raise their hands.
And you will get no hurt, mister, no no no
Ensuring that no harm will come to the person who raises their hands.
I said yeah (I said yeah)
Affirming a statement previously said.
Listen what they say (listen what they say)
Asking for attention to be paid to information being shared.
Can you hear me say, yeah? (yeah yeah)
Making sure that the message is being received and understood.
Do you believe I would take such a thing with me
Questioning whether one would knowingly carry something incriminating.
And give it to a police man?
Asking if one would voluntarily give evidence to law enforcement.
I wouldn't do that, oh no (ooh, ooh)
Denying the previous scenario with emphasis.
And if I do that
Theoretical situation of if the aforementioned scenario were to occur.
I would say sir come on and put the charge on me
Accepting the responsibility of carrying illegal items.
I'm not a fool to hurt myself
Asserting that one would not intentionally cause harm to oneself.
So I was innocent of what they done to me
Claiming that the apprehension was an unjustified wrongful arrest.
They were wrong (ooh, ooh), oh yeah
Confident that justice was not served in the previous scenario.
You give it to me one time (huh)
Appealing for a chance or opportunity.
54-46 was my number, was my number, man
Referencing a past prison ID number.
Right now, someone else has that number
Acknowledging that the past is over and a new chapter has begun.
Oh, work could not control me now
Assuming control over one's own life and circumstances.
Oh, no bars could not hold me now
Being free from restriction and confinement.
They hold I down and they lock-a you way
Narrating previous struggles of confinement and restriction.
They try to keep I for a year and a day
Recounting an attempt to be held in captivity for a length of time.
But through the powers of the Most High God
Acknowledging a higher power for facilitating escape from confinement.
Got to turn me lose, I say
Celebrating newfound freedom and independence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Frederick Hibbert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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