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.
5446 That's My Number / 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, 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 lyrics to Sublime's "5446 Thats My Number/ Ball And Chain" tell the story of the lead singer's experience with the criminal justice system. The song starts with him proclaiming his innocence and refusing to implicate himself or others in any wrongdoing. He expresses frustration with the justice system and the way he was treated, claiming that he was wronged. The number he repeats throughout the song, "5446," was likely his inmate number in jail.
The song then switches gears and talks about the singer's experiences with his romantic relationships. He expresses disillusionment with the institution of marriage and how it doesn't work for everyone. The "ball and chain" he refers to is the idea of being tied down to someone else in a relationship. He says that he would rather be alone than be in a relationship that doesn't work for him.
Overall, the song has a rebellious and anti-establishment tone, both in terms of its response to the criminal justice system and its views on traditional romance. It seeks to question and challenge these societal norms in a way that resonated with Sublime's fans.
Line by Line Meaning
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
I'm innocent and I wouldn't give the thing they want me to the police, but if I did, they would still try to charge me for it, even though it's not mine
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 it, because it's that good
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
My number has been taken and given to someone else, but what is it now?
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
Tell me, Little One, about what you want to do with her and how you want to touch her
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 hanging out and partying all night at the club, enjoying the music and atmosphere while the DJ entertains us
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 tried to steal my girl and I got into a fight with them, resulting in me spending the night in jail
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
Repeat it for me, because it feels good
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, because I have some truth to tell about the lies she told me which will make 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
Society tells us to fall in love, get married, and have a child, but I don't have time for that. It's a lonely world, and being in a relationship can feel like 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
Listen up, because I have something to say about marriage. It's not for me, and I'd rather be alone than be miserable with someone else
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 is a failing institution, and if I want to show love, I'll find a different way to do it
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
I don't have time for disagreements, and I'm ready to embrace the unknown future on my own
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group,
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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