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.
Great Stone
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got to move
Under that great stone
Got to move
From under the great stone
The stone i'm down below
From under that great stone
Got to remove
Real feel real
Thats how real to me
I love them
Because them give out the victory
Oh many people doubt it
But i cant live without
Just because i love it so
Its so real to me
It soon be done
All of my troubles and triumphs
When i get over
Over on the other side
I wanna shake my hand with the elder
Tell all the people good morning
Burn my telephone trial list yes i will
Aint got no style and aint got no fashion
Elementary
Aint got no style and aint got no fashion
Aint got that style and aint got no fashion
Aint got no style aint got no fashion
One thing down with your drain
The doctor loved you so well
But now that your dead
I love i love i love i love my entertainin'
I dont want i dont want i dont want i dont want no excitement
I dont want i dont want i dont want i dont want no indictment
I dont need i dont need i dont need i dont need no disappointment
Oh lord god
From under that great stone got to move
From under that great stone
Got to remove
From under the great stone
STONE
Long time they call because you dont feel the come
I can see it when you're comin and gone
Long time that you call you but you dont feel the come
Are you comin when your comin and comin
Whoa upon the east
Whoa upon the south
Whoa upon the north
This is what its all about
Long time that you call you but you dont feel the come
I can see it you comin in, come
So rasta warn you
Night and day i call you
Mother that mother that mother that
Great stone got to move
Mother that great stone
Got to remove
From under the great stone
STONE
The lyrics to Sublime's song Great Stone have a number of potential interpretations, but one possible reading is that they are about the desire to break free from the constraints of society or personal problems in order to find a sense of liberation and belonging. The repeated refrain "under that great stone, got to move / got to remove" suggests a need to escape from something heavy and oppressive, whether it be physical or metaphysical. The lines "just because I love it so / it's so real to me / it soon be done / all of my troubles and triumphs" could be interpreted as a statement of faith in the power of music or some other form of expression to provide catharsis and closure. The reference to "burn my telephone trial list" and "I don't want no indictment" could further suggest a desire to break away from legal or societal restrictions.
The song's chorus offers a sense of hope and community, with the singer expressing a desire to shake hands with an elder and tell people "good morning" on the other side of their struggles. The lines "I love, I love, I love, I love my entertainin'" and "I don't want no excitement" could be interpreted as a statement of preference for simpler pleasures over artificial or superficial ones.
As with many of Sublime's songs, Great Stone has a laid-back, reggae-inflected sound that belies its potentially weighty subject matter. The group was known for integrating elements of punk, ska, and hip-hop into their music, and their eclectic approach drew a diverse fan base during their brief career in the 1990s. The song did not appear on any of Sublime's studio albums, but was included on the posthumous release Second-Hand Smoke.
Line by Line Meaning
Under that great stone
I am feeling trapped and stuck in a difficult situation.
Got to move
I need to find a way to escape my current struggles and move on with my life.
From under the great stone
I am trying to break free from the heavy burden that is weighing me down.
The stone i'm down below
The challenges that I am facing are dragging me down and preventing me from moving forward.
Got to remove
I must find a solution to remove the obstacles that are impeding my progress.
Sing it again
I am repeatedly reminding myself of the need to persevere and overcome my struggles.
Real feel real
I am convinced that my struggles are genuine and that I must find a real solution to them.
Thats how real to me
I am confident that the challenges I am facing are real and that I cannot ignore them.
I love them
I am grateful for the challenges I face, as they help me grow and become stronger.
Because them give out the victory
I know that by overcoming my struggles, I will emerge victorious and become a better person.
Oh many people doubt it
Some people do not understand my struggles or my determination to overcome them.
But i cant live without
Despite the doubts and criticisms of others, I know that I cannot give up on overcoming my struggles.
Just because i love it so
I am passionate about my journey of overcoming my struggles and becoming a better person in the process.
Its so real to me
I am fully engaged in the process of overcoming my struggles and I believe in the reality of my journey.
It soon be done
I am hopeful that my struggles will eventually come to an end and I will emerge victorious.
All of my troubles and triumphs
I have faced many challenges and experienced many victories in my life.
When i get over
I am anticipating the moment when I will finally overcome my current struggles.
Over on the other side
I am looking forward to the future where my struggles will be behind me.
I wanna shake my hand with the elder
I hope to meet wise and experienced people who have weathered many challenges in their own lives.
Tell all the people good morning
I want to spread positivity and hope to others around me.
Burn my telephone trial list yes i will
I will rid myself of unnecessary distractions and focus on overcoming my struggles.
Aint got no style and aint got no fashion
I am not concerned with superficial things like fashion or style.
Elementary
I am focused on the basics of life and what truly matters.
One thing down with your drain
I am taking steps to eliminate negative influences and things that bring me down.
The doctor loved you so well
You once received care and attention from someone who was concerned about your well-being.
But now that your dead
That person is no longer around to help you and you must face your struggles alone.
I love i love i love i love my entertainin'
I find joy and comfort in my hobbies and pastimes, which help me cope with my struggles.
I dont want i dont want i dont want i dont want no excitement
I do not want or need any additional stress or excitement in my life, as I am already dealing with enough challenges.
I dont want i dont want i dont want i dont want no indictment
I do not want to be accused or judged unfairly for my struggles or mistakes.
I dont need i dont need i dont need i dont need no disappointment
I do not want to experience any more disappointment or setbacks on my journey to overcome my struggles.
Oh lord god
I am seeking comfort and guidance from a higher power.
Long time they call because you dont feel the come
People may be calling out to you for help, but you may not be in a position to offer it, as you are consumed by your own struggles.
I can see it when you're comin and gone
Despite my own struggles, I am still aware of the people around me and try to help them when I can.
Whoa upon the east
I am acknowledging the challenges and struggles that exist in the world around me.
Whoa upon the south
I am recognizing that struggles are not confined to any one region or group of people.
Whoa upon the north
I am acknowledging the universal nature of struggles and that they exist in every part of the world.
This is what its all about
I am coming to the realization that struggles are an inherent part of life and that I must learn to confront and overcome them.
STONE
The heavy burden of my struggles is weighing me down and preventing me from moving forward.
Mother that mother that mother that
I am calling out to the mother - a symbol of nurturing and comfort - for help in overcoming my struggles.
Great stone got to move
I am determined to break free from the heavy burden of my struggles and move on with my life.
Mother that great stone
I am calling on the mother to help me overcome the heavy burden of my struggles and move forward with my life.
Got to remove
I must find a solution to remove the obstacles that are impeding my progress and holding me back.
Contributed by Tristan C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Boenk Nsty Brown
on Santeria
the best