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.
Wilson and Gaugh reunited the group officially in 2023 after Sublime With Rome's disbanding, with Nowell's son Jakob Nowell (LAW, Jakob's Castle) taking over as lead vocalist.
5446 / Ball and Chain
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, I wouldn't do that
I'm not a fool to hurt myself, but I was innocent to what they done to me
They were wrong, they were wrong
Give it to me, one time
Give it to me, two times
Give it to me, three times
Give it to me, four times
Oh 5446 what's my number? What's my number now?
Right now somebody else has that number
One more time 5447, what's 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 his 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' and we're chillin' into the club all night
We're jillin' and we're chillin' into the club all night, buds
Hearin the dogs, feeling the beat, into the dog pound
DJ, "Lord have his grilled cheese"
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 (ohh yes, ooh my pussy)
Give it to me two times
Give it to me three time
Give it to me four time
People listen up don't stand to near
I've got something that you all should hear
All lies, all the lies she told to me
Make a little part of history
I was always taught that boy meets girl
Fall in love, get married and forget the world
Nine months later, the sweet baby's on the way
Kiss 'em on the cheek and life's okay
I don't feel, no pain. I don't have, no time
To listen to conflicting points of view
Oh it's a crazy world to live alone
A ball and chain I call my own
People listen up don't stand to close
I've got something that you all should know
Holy matrimony is not for me
Rather die alone in misery
I was always taught that boy meets girl
Fall in love, get married and forget the world
Nine months later, the sweet baby's on the way
Isn't that what they used to say?
With a girl that you knew,
And the bonds that we grew
Turned into a ball and chain
I step into the great unknown
On a ball and chain I call my own
Crazy world to live alone
With a girl
And the bonds that we grew
Turned into a ball and chain
Oh, I step into the great unknown
With a ball and chain I call my own
Because marriage doesn't work in the world today
It's an institution that is in decay
And if I have love I wish to portray
I will surely find another way
Because I was always taught that boy meets girl
Fall in love, get married and forget the world
Nine months later the sweet baby's on the way
Kiss 'em on the cheek and life's okay
I don't feel no pain, I don't have no time
To listen to conflicting points of view
I step into the great unknown
On a ball and chain I call my own
The song 5446 by Sublime tells the story of the lead singer, Bradley Nowell, being wrongly accused and arrested by the police. He explains that he wouldn't give something to a policeman because he knows he is innocent of whatever they are accusing him of. He then questions what "number" he has now because somebody else has his previous one. The number most likely represents the booking number he received when he was arrested. The lyrics then switch to a different scene where Nowell is in a club with his girlfriend or wife. He expresses his dissatisfaction with the concept of marriage and how it is an institution that no longer works in current society. He also touches on the idea of how love can be portrayed without marriage.
One interesting fact about the song is the number 5446 was the actual booking number that Bradley Nowell received when he was arrested for possession of heroin. Another fact is that the song was written while Nowell was waiting in jail to be bailed out. The line "Lord have his grilled cheese" was an inside joke between Nowell and his close friends. "Grilled cheese" was a code word for heroin, and it was meant to imply that God is taking care of him even though he is addicted to drugs. The song was also one of the band's early hits and helped establish their fan base. It was released on their debut album "40oz. to Freedom."
Other interesting facts include that the song has been covered by multiple artists such as Pepper, and the band Choking Victim wrote a response to the song called "5446 That's my Number/Ballad of Euronymous." The song was also played during the closing credits of the 2009 movie "Adventureland."
The chords for 5446 by Sublime are G, A, D, and E.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you believe I would take such a thing with me
And give it to a police man?
Do you honestly think I would do something like that and risk getting arrested?
If I did that would you say, "sir come down and put the charge on me"?
If I did give something to the police, would you offer to take the blame for it?
I'm not a fool to hurt myself, but I was innocent to what they done to me
They were wrong, they were wrong
I'm not stupid enough to do something that would cause myself harm, but I'm also innocent of whatever they're accusing me of. They're the ones in the wrong.
Give it to me, one time
Give it to me, two times
Give it to me, three times
Give it to me, four times
Repeat what you just gave me four times.
Oh 5446 what's my number? What's my number now?
Right now somebody else has that number
One more time 5447, what's my number? What's my number now?
Right now somebody else has that number
I used to be known as '5446' in prison, but now someone else has that number. What's my number now? Oh, someone else has that one too? Never mind.
Cause we're jillin' and we're chillin' into the club all night
We're jillin' and we're chillin' into the club all night, buds
Hearin the dogs, feeling the beat, into the dog pound
DJ, "Lord have his grilled cheese"
We're enjoying ourselves at the club all night, listening to music and feeling the rhythm. The DJ is playing some great tunes and everyone is having a good time.
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
Someone who was envious of me snuck up behind me and tried to take away my partner. I ended up getting into a physical fight with them and getting sent to jail for the night.
People listen up don't stand to near
I've got something that you all should hear
All lies, all the lies she told to me
Make a little part of history
Listen up, everyone! I have something important to tell you. The person I was with lied to me about a lot of things, and now that's a part of my history.
I don't feel, no pain. I don't have, no time
To listen to conflicting points of view
Oh it's a crazy world to live alone
A ball and chain I call my own
I don't feel any pain and I don't have time to listen to people who disagree with me. It's a crazy world to live in on your own, and sometimes it feels like having a partner is a burden.
People listen up don't stand to close
I've got something that you all should know
Holy matrimony is not for me
Rather die alone in misery
Seriously, everyone, listen to me. Marriage isn't for me, and I would rather be alone and miserable than try to force myself into that kind of commitment.
Because marriage doesn't work in the world today
It's an institution that is in decay
And if I have love I wish to portray
I will surely find another way
Marriage just doesn't seem to work in the modern world - it's falling apart. But if I want to show my love for someone, I'll figure out a different way to do it.
I step into the great unknown
On a ball and chain I call my own
I'm entering into an uncertain future, with the burden of a relationship weighing me down like a ball and chain.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Frederick Hibbert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ETN_123
Do you believe I would take such a thing with me
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, I wouldn't do that
I'm not a fool to hurt myself, but I was innocent to what they done to me
They were wrong, they were wrong
Give it to me, one time
Give it to me, two times
Give it to me, three times
Give it to me, four times
Oh 5446 what's my number? What's my number now?
Right now somebody else has that number
One more time 5447, what's 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 his 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' and we're chillin' into the club all night
We're jillin' and we're chillin' into the club all night, buds
Hearin the dogs, feeling the beat, into the dog pound
DJ, "Lord have his grilled cheese"
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 (ohh yes, ooh my pussy)
Give it to me two times
Give it to me three time
Give it to me four time
People listen up don't stand toonear
I've got something that you all should hear
All lies, all the lies they told to me
Form a little part of history
I was always taught that boy meets girl
Fall in love, get married and forget the world
Nine months later, the sweet baby's on the way
Kiss 'em on the cheek and life's okay
I don't feel, no pain. I don't have, no time
To listen to conflicting points of view
Oh it's a crazy world to live alone
A ball and chain I call my own
Ah ba na na na na wooo!
People listen up don't stand too close
I've got something that you all should know
Holy matrimony is not for me
Rather die alone in misery
Because I was always taught that boy meets girl
Fall in love, get married and forget the world
Nine months later, the sweet baby's on the way
Isn't that what they used to say?
With a girl that you knew,
And the bonds that we grew
Turned into a ball and chain
I step into the great unknown
On a ball and chain I call my own
Ah Ba na na na na wooo!
Crazy world to live alone
With a girl you knew
And the bonds that we grew
Turned into a ball and chain
Oh, I step into the great unknown
With a ball and chain I call my own
Because marriage doesn't work in the world today
It's an institution that is in decay
And if I have love I wish to portray
I will surely find another way
Because I was always taught that boy meets girl
Fall in love, get married and forget the world
Nine months later the sweet baby's on the way
Kiss 'em on the cheek and life's okay
I don't feel no pain, I don't have no time
To listen to conflicting points of view
I step into the great unknown
On a ball and chain I call my own
@angel0fdeath2
Do you believe I would take such a thing with me
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, I wouldn't do that
I'm not a fool to hurt myself, but I was innocent to what they done to me
They were wrong, they were wrong
Give it to me, one time
Give it to me, two times
Give it to me, three times
Give it to me, four times
Oh 5446 what's my number? What's my number now?
Right now somebody else has that number
One more time 5447, what's 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 his 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' and we're chillin' into the club all night
We're jillin' and we're chillin' into the club all night, buds
Hearin the dogs, feeling the beat, into the dog pound
DJ, "Lord have his grilled cheese"
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 (ohh yes, ooh my pussy)
Give it to me two times
Give it to me three time
Give it to me four time
People listen up don't stand to near
I've got something that you all should hear
All lies, all the lies she told to me
Make a little part of history
I was always taught that boy meets girl
Fall in love, get married and forget the world
Nine months later, the sweet baby's on the way
Kiss 'em on the cheek and life's okay
I don't feel, no pain. I don't have, no time
To listen to conflicting points of view
Oh it's a crazy world to live alone
A ball and chain I call my own
People listen up don't stand to close
I've got something that you all should know
Holy matrimony is not for me
Rather die alone in misery
I was always taught that boy meets girl
Fall in love, get married and forget the world
Nine months later, the sweet baby's on the way
Isn't that what they used to say?
With a girl that you knew,
And the bonds that we grew
Turned into a ball and chain
I step into the great unknown
On a ball and chain I call my own
Crazy world to live alone
With a girl
And the bonds that we grew
Turned into a ball and chain
Oh, I step into the great unknown
With a ball and chain I call my own
Because marriage doesn't work in the world today
It's an institution that is in decay
And if I have love I wish to portray
I will surely find another way
Because I was always taught that boy meets girl
Fall in love, get married and forget the world
Nine months later the sweet baby's on the way
Kiss 'em on the cheek and life's okay
I don't feel no pain, I don't have no time
To listen to conflicting points of view
I step into the great unknown
On a ball and chain I call my own
@thecarolinashreds196
These guys were a one of a kind band. Others have tried to replicate it and have failed. I know everyone had an opinion and may not agree with me but I think 40 oz To Freedom is one of the best albums of the 90’s. I am a big hard rock and metal guy. My son in law turned me in to this album long after it came out. I was instantly hooked!!! They successfully fused 5 genres of music and made it work. It’s a damn shame that Bradley left us. They were on the verge of breaking into the big time. There will never be another like them. RIP Bradley.
@deborahvidal6552
. 1:03 ..😊..m km😮 8!!!!) obmim ni m 1️⃣😍😅😅
@ScottMom
2024 never will be forgotten
2:35
@BH-dsk
@@ScottMom amen
@dbc5908
I’ve been going through some shit recently and Sublime has really been helping me. I was driving home from school today in a bad mood and just rolled down the windows to let the wind hit me. The sun and sky were beautiful. This song was playing on my stereo. I was actually happy. I haven’t been that in a while. Thanks Bradley.
@stoned_frantic
Should've been smoking Joint while doing that
@sartorious56
@@stoned_frantic Maybe two.
@jesuslopez7751
It gets better brother hang tough and smk up 🌞
@toddblack545
His art has that effect on me too
@Santafunk
Goes from reggae to rock steady to punk holy cow