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.
Greatest-hits )
Sublime Lyrics
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Hard to live, yes, it's hard to live
And it will be a long time before shit starts to give
And every single day it's getting harder to give
But God would be up for being down with a ho
Lord knows that I got fuckin' mic control
Do you got the mic control?
You notice your style is well original
This man, makin' money
How I know
It wont be no man of me
In my bed I watch TV
I'm drunk by noon
But that's ok
I'll be president someday
Light my cigarette and
I think that Bert Susanka made me drink
Load the box and then pump that shit
Got my greatest hits
Got my greatest hits
Is this band, makin' money? I don't know
The writing on the wall
All my friends drink alcohol
I'm too drunk to light the bong
I'm too stoned to write this song
Light my cigarette and
I think that Bert Susanka made me drink
Load the box and then pump that shit
Got my greatest hits
Wake up in the morning and it's hard to live
Hard to live, hard to live
It's hard to live and it will be a long time
Before shit starts to give
And every single day it's getting harder to give
But God would be up for being down with a ho
Lord knows that I got fuckin' mic control
Do you got mic control?
You notice your style is well original
This man, makin' money, how I know
It won't be no man of me
In my bed I watch TV I'm drunk by noon
But that's OK I'll be president someday
Light my cigarette and
I think that Bert Susanka made me drink
Load the box and then pump that shit
It's the Ziggens greatest hit
It's the Ziggens greatest hit
It's the Ziggens his great-est hit
The lyrics to Sublime's song "Greatest Hits" touch on several different themes. The first verse seems to be addressing the difficulties of living day-to-day, with lines like "hard to live" and "every single day it's getting harder to give." The singer also references his music, touting his "mic control" and asking if the listener has an original style. The second verse takes a darker turn, with thoughts of drinking and drug use, as well as the idea that perhaps someone else is responsible for the singer's actions. The chorus is a repeated sequence of the opening lines, reinforcing the struggles of everyday life, and the final verse returns to the singer's aspirations for success and fame, predicting that he will "be president someday."
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the highs and lows of life as a struggling musician, with themes of addiction, ambition, and authenticity all coming into play. The repeated line "it's hard to live" underscores the struggles many people face in their day-to-day lives, while the reference to "mic control" speaks to the importance of a true, unique voice in the world of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up in the morning and it's hard to live
Starting a new day can be quite challenging
Hard to live, yes, it's hard to live
Life can be difficult
And it will be a long time before shit starts to give
Things may not improve for quite some time
And every single day it's getting harder to give
The struggles of life can wear you down
But God would be up for being down with a ho
The idea of God being accepting and non-judgmental
Lord knows that I got fuckin' mic control
The singer has talent and skill in the art of music
Do you got the mic control?
Asking if someone else has similar musical talent and control over their craft
You notice your style is well original
Complimenting someone's unique musical style
This man, makin' money
Referring to someone who is making a profit
How I know
Expressing uncertainty regarding how to identify a successful individual
It wont be no man of me
Acknowledging that the singer may not be as financially successful as others
In my bed I watch TV
The artist is relaxed and at ease in their own home
I'm drunk by noon
Imbibing alcohol earlier in the day than some may consider socially acceptable
But that's ok
Justifying their own behavior
I'll be president someday
Having aspirations for a higher position in life
Light my cigarette and
Preparing to smoke a cigarette
I think that Bert Susanka made me drink
Blaming someone else for the artist's own actions
Load the box and then pump that shit
Referring to playing music loudly and with enthusiasm
Got my greatest hits
Proudly declaring ownership of their most popular songs
Is this band, makin' money? I don't know
Unsure if the artist's musical endeavor is profitable
The writing on the wall
The signs or clues that may indicate success or failure
All my friends drink alcohol
The artist's peers are prone to drinking
I'm too drunk to light the bong
Being inebriated makes it difficult to perform a simple task
I'm too stoned to write this song
Being under the influence is hindering the creative process
It's the Ziggens greatest hit
A song by the Ziggens that is very popular and well-known
It's the Ziggens his great-est hit
Further emphasizing the popularity of the Ziggens' music
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES NOWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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