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.
Boss D.J.
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would take it if I could
And I would not lie to you
because Sunday mornin' soon will come
When things will be much easier to say
Upon the microphone like a boss D.J.
But I won't walk up upon the sea like it was dry land
No trouble, no fuss, I know why
It's so nice, I wanna hear the same song twice
It's so nice don't wanna hear the same song twice
Rumors are spreading all over my town
But it's just stones and sticks
It's on the microphone is where I go to get my fix
Just let the lovin' take a hold 'cause it will if you let it
I'm funky not a junkie, but I know where to get it
No trouble, no fuss, I know why
It's so nice I wanna hear the same song twice
It's so nice I wanna hear the same song twice
Ooee girl
Ooee girl
Ooee girl
Ooee girl, and there really ain't no time to waste
Really ain't no time to hate
Ain't got no time to waste, time to hate
Really ain't no time to make the time go away
So Mister D.J. don't stop the music
I wanna know
Are you feelin' the same way too
I wanna rock it wih you girl
You girl, you girl, ooh
Don't stop
'Cause it's so nice I wanna hear the same song twice
It's so nice I wanna hear the same song twice
Nowadays all the songs on the radio, all
All drive me crazy
The song Boss D.J. by Sublime is about the singer's desire for escape and a simpler life. He talks about a steel train coming through and how he would take it if he could. He doesn't want to lie about his feelings and instead expresses that Sunday morning will come, making it easier to say what's on his mind like a boss D.J. But he is mindful not to overstep his bounds and walk on water like it's dry land because he is only human. He has no troubles or fuss and knows what he wants. He is content to hear the same song twice, find refuge with his music on the microphone and let the “lovin’ take a hold.”
The chorus repeats the sentiment that the song is so nice that he wants to hear it twice. He mentions that rumors are spreading in his town but they are just stones and sticks. He finds solace in going to the microphone to get his fix of music. He is funky and knows where to get what he needs without causing any trouble or fuss. The singer implores the boss DJ not to stop the music, and to rock it with him. He is feeling the music and enjoying spending time with ‘you girl’.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a steel train comin' through
There's an opportunity coming my way
I would take it if I could
I would seize the opportunity if possible
And I would not lie to you
I'm being honest with you
because Sunday mornin' soon will come
Because there will be a time when I'll have to face the consequences
When things will be much easier to say
When it will be easier to express myself
Upon the microphone like a boss D.J.
Like a skilled DJ on his microphone
But I won't walk up upon the sea like it was dry land
I won't act like something is easy when it's not
Boss D.J. ain't nothin' but a man
I'm only human, just like everyone else
No trouble, no fuss, I know why
I'm calm and collected because I know what I'm doing
It's so nice, I wanna hear the same song twice
I'm enjoying this so much that I want to experience it again
Rumors are spreading all over my town
People are talking about me
But it's just stones and sticks
It's just meaningless gossip
It's on the microphone is where I go to get my fix
I find solace in music and performing
Just let the lovin' take a hold 'cause it will if you let it
Let the music take over and you'll feel it
I'm funky not a junkie, but I know where to get it
I enjoy music, but I don't need drugs to appreciate it
Ooee girl
Expressing appreciation for someone
and there really ain't no time to waste
Time is precious and shouldn't be squandered
Really ain't no time to hate
There's no point in harboring negative emotions
Ain't got no time to waste, time to hate
I'm too busy living my life to worry about hate
Really ain't no time to make the time go away
Don't let time slip away, make the most of it
So Mister D.J. don't stop the music
Asking the DJ to keep playing
I wanna know
Expressing curiosity
Are you feelin' the same way too
Asking if the DJ is enjoying the music as much as I am
I wanna rock it wih you girl
Wanting to dance with someone
Don't stop
Asking the DJ to keep playing
'Cause it's so nice I wanna hear the same song twice
The music is so good that I want to hear it again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES NOWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josh Boy
Reminds me of high school listening to this song stoned driving around with my best friends with no cares in the world. All these years later and the world is so messed up. Happy 4/20/20.
jesse chilton
God bless this comment
James Helmer
My man you couldnt have nailed any better, this blind melon, rancid . nofx.bob dylan .tool and ween and all during the height of the rave scene it was a special time just because of that i hate when people ask me to describe it and i haven't met soul yet that could you just had to be there.
Sam
One of my favorite tracks from Sublime ❤
Thanks for posting this!
Leo Leon
I like this version much more than the studio one. The organ that plays along with Brad... there's something about it that makes this version almost infinitely better.
GrooGruxKing
@Dylan MacIntosh
That's still the best version.
Wither you like it or not.
:]
Chargingstar
So true
CRX 1stGEN
Where in the hell did you get this version? Never heard this version before, and I've been listening to Sublime since the early 1990's
Bryant A
This is the only version I knew
Mirror Person
This is THE version my friend