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.
Freeway
Sublime Lyrics
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I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel a Bati man
Outside my cell deputies creep
And in this cell all I do is sleep and I dream
That I'm free
And I'm back on the reef
Where I throw my net out into the sea
All the fine hinas come swimming to me
And when the tides high I cry like a little baby
Don't give me no right kind a love no Sunday morning
Don't want no puppy loving
Hold me babe, a new stylee
Hungry babe, a new stylee
And a angry dog is a hungry dog
And a hungry dog is a angry dog
I feel like rocking, I wanna with you
I'm alive gotta contact home
Gotta contact my baby girl
But I would never could get up
Why does it have to be so damn tough?
With mayates and the eses, yes their steady on the floor
I'll be damned if a man with a shake in his hand will make me feel, I feel, I feel a Bati man
And I know, that I'm there someday
I'm back on the reef
Where I throw my net out into the sea
All the fine hinas come swimming to me
Hold me baby, promise me
With no protection on my erection I won't get no VD
Don't give me no right kind a love no Sunday morning
I don't want no puppy loving, Gwarn
Hold me babe, got a new stylee
And a angry dog's a hungry dog
He's a naked man is a naked man
And a wicked dog is a hungry dog
I feel like rocking, I wanna rock with you!
The opening line "On the freeway in the county the sun don't shine" sets a tone of hopelessness and entrapment. The lyrics describe the experience of being in jail in LA County and the longing for freedom. The phrase "I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel a Bati man" is a reference to a belief among some inmates that if they are attracted to men it means they are possessed by a "Bati", a demon in Caribbean folklore. This line suggests a sense of shame and fear of being considered gay in the hyper-masculine environment of a men's prison. The rest of the first stanza describes the anxiety of being watched by guards even when inside the cell.
The second stanza begins with the singer dreaming of being back at the reef where he can fish and enjoy the company of women. This represents the freedom that the singer yearns for. The line "hold me and they promise me things" implies that the promises are empty and temporary. The lyrics "Don't give me no right kind a love no Sunday morning, Don't want no puppy loving, Hold me babe, a new stylee, Hungry babe, a new stylee" suggest a desire for passionate and real love rather than superficial affection. The line "And a hungry dog is a angry dog" is a metaphor for how the lack of love and freedom can lead to anger and desperation.
In the final stanza, the singer expresses a desire to contact his loved ones but is unable to due to the difficulty of communication within the prison. The singer once again dreams of being back at the reef, where he can catch fish and be with women without fear of judgment or shame. The stanza ends with a plea for love and a desire to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
On the freeway in the county the sun don't shine
I'm on the highway in a county where it's always gloomy and never sunny.
I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel a Bati man
I sense danger and fear that someone might sexually assault me here in jail.
Outside my cell deputies creep
Guards sneak around outside my holding cell.
And in this cell all I do is sleep and I dream
All I can do while locked up is sleep and fantasize about being free.
That I'm free
I hold onto the hope of one day being released and able to live life on my own terms once again.
And I'm back on the reef
I imagine myself back at sea, fishing and living off the land.
Where I throw my net out into the sea
I can picture myself on my boat, using my tools and skills to catch fish and other sea creatures.
All the fine hinas come swimming to me
Beautiful women come to me, lured in by the promise of my bounty from the sea.
They hold me and they promise me things
These women show me affection and make promises to me, giving me a sense of comfort.
And when the tides high I cry like a little baby
But when the tide is high and I am alone, I feel vulnerable and helpless, reducing me to tears.
Don't give me no right kind a love no Sunday morning
I don't want any insincere or superficial love, especially not on a Sunday when people pretend to be good and righteous.
Don't want no puppy loving
I don't need anyone who is overly affectionate or clingy.
Hold me babe, a new stylee
I want someone to hold me and give me a fresh, new form of love and attention that I have never experienced before.
Hungry babe, a new stylee
I crave this love and affection so badly that I am like a starving man who needs to be fed.
And a angry dog is a hungry dog
Someone who is angry and full of rage is often doing so because they are unfulfilled and lacking something in their life.
And a hungry dog is a angry dog
Likewise, someone who is starving and in need may also become angry and aggressive as a result of their hunger.
I feel like rocking, I wanna with you
I feel like dancing and being close to someone, and I want to do so with you.
I'm alive gotta contact home
I'm still alive and need to get in touch with my loved ones back home.
Gotta contact my baby girl
I especially want to reach out to my daughter and make sure she knows I'm still here for her.
But I would never could get up
Unfortunately, I am unable to actually make contact with anyone because of the circumstances of my imprisonment.
Why does it have to be so damn tough?
I struggle with the harsh reality that being separated from the people I love is so difficult and painful.
With mayates and the eses, yes their steady on the floor
I notice and recognize gangs and other potentially dangerous groups in and around the area where I am being held.
I'll be damned if a man with a shake in his hand will make me feel, I feel, I feel a Bati man
I vow to resist and fight against anyone who may harm me or make me feel vulnerable or victimized, no matter how much they may try to intimidate me.
And I know, that I'm there someday
Despite how difficult my current situation may be, I am confident that I will someday be released and able to start over.
With no protection on my erection I won't get no VD
I am aware of the risks of engaging in any sexual activity while incarcerated and vow to take precautions to protect myself from contracting any sexually transmitted infections.
Gwarn
Go ahead or hurry up.
He's a naked man is a naked man
A person who is stripped of their basic needs and comforts is still fundamentally human and deserves dignity and respect.
And a wicked dog is a hungry dog
Someone who is wicked or cruel may be reacting out of desperation and their own sense of hunger or unfulfilled needs.
I feel like rocking, I wanna rock with you!
I am still yearning for human connection and a sense of release from the stress and anxiety of my current circumstances.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES NOWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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