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.
At It Again
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's that (??) at?
There we go, Eric...
Roll tape, roll tape...
Here we go! It's the one-stop shop and let's go...
So bad...
(Unintelligible)
I just keep on steppin, I just keep on steppin,
Staring straight down at the ground, Oh-oo-woah-oo!
F-C-R-E-A-T-A,
They're the type of stoopid motherfuckers that I hate,
We get up, give love, get lovin', and we don't turn 'round,
Said because of all the Kingston sound,
Ohh, spendin' in the night at the motel 6,
Where the beats run up and down,
Woah! I don't pay n'attention, I don't pay attention
I just- what goes up comes, burning down sound, aheh...
F-R-O-T-U-T-A,
Mutiply this by, the suckers that I hate,
For me, to give, to wanna love inside,
If they got,
Oh if you don't need to brag, you don't need to boast,
This is where we get the reggae the most,
From east, west, north and south, woah!
We gonna rock it from coast to coast,
Oh rebel vibes, rebel vibes, rebel vibes,
Clear the dancehall tonight, oh diddly-whoa!
Oh rebel vibes, rebel vibes, rebel vibes,
Clear the dancehall tonight, oh diddly-doh-oh
When I'm on deep on the microphone,
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oo-oo!
Oh-oh-oh-oh, god knows!
Don't need to fight,
Hmmm, oh-oh-oooooo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
Remember that,
Pick it up,
Remember, hang on to that one,
That's a killer fuckin drum beat,
Wanna try a different a bass line to that Eric?
At it again,
Cuz the radio, the music sound kicks in,
Once again, upon the mic cuz ima Bradley from Sublime,
Comin' off select pick and you press rewind, oh!
(Dance sweet and I love, my little darling, and i love)
At it again, we're at it again,
Because the radio, the music sound stays in,
Once again, upon the mic cuz ima Bradley from Sublime,
Comin' off select pick and you press rewind, oh!
K, let's try ghost brothers on that one...
Woop!
Don't touch it, no touch a thing called the colors too locos
No touch it, no touch a thing called the crack boy
No touch it, don't touch a thing called colors too loco,
Don't touch it, don't touch a thing called the crack whore,
Crack is dangerous, it not ok
Crack will make you, act crazy,
Sell your van, sell your doggie,
You sell her girlfriend and her sweet punani,
You sell your producer, you sell your tape,
You sell everything, if you can relate,
All those people, fa-follow me,
This is the dance done from north to south,
This is the dance done from north to south,
East, west, Panama, in Costa Rica, bbdbdbdbboh,
(Unintelligible)
Oh god, it's a relief,
Oh god, it's a relief,
That's why once again my number one style,
Roll it back,
Should we use the roll of tape on that one?
Nope
The lyrics to Sublime's "At It Again" primarily speak about the singer's disdain for those who promote negativity and hate. The song starts with the singer asking where someone is, and then the music begins. The singer speaks about his desire to avoid people who spread hate and how he tries to remain positive despite everything. He mentions the "Kingston sound," which could be a reference to reggae music or Jamaica, where the genre originated. The song's lyrics also mention "rebel vibes" and "clearing the dancehall tonight," indicating a desire for a peaceful and fun atmosphere amidst chaos.
As the song progresses, there are mentions of drugs (crack) and warnings about their dangers. The singer urges listeners not to touch crack and highlights the destruction it can cause, such as selling everything to feed an addiction. The song ends with the singer's desire to continue pursuing his number one style of music.
Line by Line Meaning
There we go, there we go,
We're starting up, let's get ready for this.
Where's that (??) at?
Asking if everything is set up to go.
There we go, Eric...
Addressing the person in charge, getting ready for a performance.
Roll tape, roll tape...
Start recording or playback, get the show going.
Here we go! It's the one-stop shop and let's go...
Announcing that they are ready to throw down some music.
So bad...
Things are terrible or not going the way they were hoped.
(Unintelligible)
Unable to discern the words.
I just keep on steppin, I just keep on steppin,
Keep moving forward and not let anything hold you back.
Staring straight down at the ground, Oh-oo-woah-oo!
Focused on what's happening in the immediate moment.
F-C-R-E-A-T-A, They're the type of stoopid motherfuckers that I hate,
Referring to people who don't align with their values and morals.
We get up, give love, get lovin', and we don't turn 'round,
Moving forward without looking back, always spreading love.
Said because of all the Kingston sound,
Referencing music from the city of Kingston, Jamaica.
Ohh, spendin' in the night at the motel 6,
Staying at a motel overnight.
Where the beats run up and down, Woah! I don't pay n'attention, I don't pay attention
Not giving specific attention to what's happening, letting it flow.
I just- what goes up comes, burning down sound, aheh...
Life has its ups and downs and it is what it is.
F-R-O-T-U-T-A, Mutiply this by, the suckers that I hate,
Using code to describe people they don't like.
For me, to give, to wanna love inside, If they got,
If they possess the qualities of love and positivity, then they will receive the same from others.
Oh if you don't need to brag, you don't need to boast,
Not getting caught up in ego and pride is important.
This is where we get the reggae the most,
This is the place where they play the most reggae music.
From east, west, north and south, woah! We gonna rock it from coast to coast,
Bringing the music to everyone all over the world.
Oh rebel vibes, rebel vibes, rebel vibes, Clear the dancehall tonight, oh diddly-whoa!
Getting the crowd hyped before a show.
When I'm on deep on the microphone, Oh-oh-oh-oh-oo-oo!
Getting in the zone and feeling the music.
Oh-oh-oh-oh, god knows!
Expressing uncertainty or concern.
Don't need to fight, Hmmm, oh-oh-oooooo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo
Avoiding conflict and negativity.
Remember that, Pick it up, Remember, hang on to that one, That's a killer fuckin drum beat, Wanna try a different a bass line to that Eric?
Asking to experiment or try new things.
At it again, Cuz the radio, the music sound kicks in, Once again, upon the mic cuz ima Bradley from Sublime, Comin' off select pick and you press rewind, oh!
Repeating what they do best, making great music that people want to hear over and over again.
(Dance sweet and I love, my little darling, and i love)
Lyrics of the song being played.
Don't touch it, no touch a thing called the colors too locos No touch it, no touch a thing called the crack boy No touch it, don't touch a thing called colors too loco, Don't touch it, don't touch a thing called the crack whore,
Advising others to stay away from drugs and addiction.
Crack is dangerous, it not ok Crack will make you, act crazy, Sell your van, sell your doggie, You sell her girlfriend and her sweet punani, You sell your producer, you sell your tape, You sell everything, if you can relate,
Talking about the negative effects of drug addiction and the extent some will go to fuel it.
All those people, fa-follow me, This is the dance done from north to south, This is the dance done from north to south, East, west, Panama, in Costa Rica, bbdbdbdbboh, (Unintelligible) Oh god, it's a relief, Oh god, it's a relief,
Encouraging others to follow their rhythm and movements, traveling to different places to spread their sound and inspiration.
That's why once again my number one style, Roll it back, Should we use the roll of tape on that one?, Nope
Feeling comfortable with their unique way of creating music and declining to try another approach in that moment.
Contributed by Ella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Boenk Nsty Brown
on Santeria
the best