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.
House Of Suffering
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ya i gotta let some light in ya
I fear that freedom will win ya
Oh where oh where can jah love be now ya
My dear, it's here in the underground
Inside the hearts of your own children
In this house of suffering
I spiritualogic grin, in
To conquer doom and sin
And all the people are lying
And all our people crying
And they stop at nothing!nothing!nothing!
In this house of suffering
Don't want but just one thing
Got to have my origin
In this house of suffering
The song House Of Suffering by Sublime, is an anthem that speaks to the struggle of freedom and the battle against oppression. In the first verse, the lyrics "O in this house of suffering, ya I gotta let some light in ya, I fear that freedom will win ya" express a sense of hopelessness but also a desire to seek light in the darkness. The singer is anxious that the freedom they desire may actually lead to their undoing - that they may lose themselves if they give in to the fight for freedom from a life of suffering.
As the song continues, the lyrics reveal that the singer believes that the answer to their struggles is to be found in the love of Jah - Jah being the Rastafarian name for God. Although suffering is all around them, Jah's love resides within the people themselves, specifically "inside the hearts of [their] own children." The phrase "spiritualogic grin" is hard to decipher, but could be interpreted as an expression of the singer's faith or a belief in a higher power. The lyrics go on to suggest that grace is the key to overcoming the obstacles of life and living a life free from sin and despair. The song indicates the struggle of the people living in a world that is often unfair and dominated by those in power.
Line by Line Meaning
O in this house of suffering
Oh, in this place of pain and torment
Ya i gotta let some light in ya
Yes, I need to bring some illumination into this place
I fear that freedom will win ya
I worry that you will embrace your freedom
Oh where oh where can jah love be now ya
Where can the love and guidance of God be found?
My dear, it's here in the underground
My beloved, it is present here, hidden away
Inside the hearts of your own children
It exists within the hearts of those you have raised
In this house of suffering
Within this dwelling of torment
I spiritualogic grin, in
Through spiritual knowledge, I maintain a positive outlook
One way grace is my friend
God's grace is my ally
To conquer doom and sin
To overcome evil and wrongdoing
And all the people are lying
Everyone is deceitful
And all our people crying
And everyone is in agony
And they stop at nothing!nothing!nothing!
And they will do whatever it takes to succeed, no matter what the cost
In this house of suffering
Within this realm of torment and misery
Don't want but just one thing
I desire only one thing
Got to have my origin
I need to return to my roots
In this house of suffering
Within this abode of pain and affliction
Contributed by Riley I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Boenk Nsty Brown
on Santeria
the best