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.
Leaving Babylon
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
leaving this babylon
will i be too long?
will i be too long?
said my people are starving
but the money's running
the dollar gotta drop down real low
you ain't no gold to show
nice and low
not gonna come back no more
said the politician's lying
my momma's just a cryin'
nothing ever gonna change
my papa just a sighin'
my sister just a lyin'
and i ain't got nothin' to claim
well i say
well i say
(incoherent freestyle)
In the song Leaving Babylon, Sublime sings about the struggle of leaving their current situation behind. They ask themselves whether they will be gone for too long, as their people are starving and the money is running out. They mention how the dollar needs to drop down real low because there is no gold left to show. The lyrics refer to the corrupt political system, with politicians lying and nothing ever changing. The singer's mother is crying, his father is sighing, and his sister is lying. He feels he has nothing to claim and says "well I say" before going into an incoherent freestyle.
The lyrics are a reflection of the struggles faced by those living in impoverished communities. The song suggests that leaving the system behind may be the only solution, but it also highlights the hardship and pain involved in doing so. The corruption of the political system is also an issue that Sublime addresses, along with the frustration felt by those who feel trapped in their circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
leaving this babylon
Leaving this oppressive society that is Babylon, which symbolizes a corrupt and unjust world.
will i be too long?
Wondering if the journey to escape Babylon will be a lengthy one.
said my people are starving
Acknowledging that the people in the society are suffering and in need of basic necessities.
but the money's running
Despite the desperate conditions, the resources and funds are dwindling.
the dollar gotta drop down real low
The value of currency is declining and reaching a low point.
you ain't no gold to show
There are no valuable resources or assets to back up the unstable economy.
that's why we're going to take it right down
The singer and others are taking action to bring down the unjust system.
nice and low
The destruction of the system will result in a decline to a lower state.
not gonna come back no more
This is a permanent decision to leave Babylon and not return.
said the politician's lying
Politicians are deceitful and dishonest in their actions and promises.
my momma's just a cryin'
The society causes emotional pain and suffering to family members.
nothing ever gonna change
The system is so unjust and corrupt that it cannot be reformed or improved.
my papa just a sighin'
The situation causes the father to feel hopeless and defeated.
my sister just a lyin'
Even family members are influenced by the dishonest nature of the society and behave untruthfully.
and i ain't got nothin' to claim
The singer has no possessions or successes to take pride in within the Babylon system.
well i say
An interjection introducing the artist's personal opinion or belief.
incoherent freestyle
A spontaneous and unintelligible expression.
Contributed by Chloe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
razzjets94
"What is up and.."
"Let me tell you something brother"
"I am both confused from here, alright!"
I'm leaving this babylon
I'm leaving this babylon
It will not be too long
It will not be for long.
Says my people are starving
But the money's running
I said Jah people are starving
But the money's running.
Say the dollar dollar drop down real low
And you ain't got no gold to show
Gonna take the ship right nicely
We're not gonna come back no more
I said the politician's lying
The people always dying
And I ain't ever gonna change
I said my momma's always cryin'
Sister's always lying
And I ain't ever gonna change.
That's why I say turn me loose
Turn me loose
Take the shoes out from off my feet
I wanna run to the rhythm and the beat.
Cause it's so long since I've had you by my side
Oh Lord
But I really can't take this fighting anymore.
So I'm leaving this babylon
I'm leaving this babylon
Will not be for long
Will not be for long.
You can hear my rhythm
Even my irie,
They are the ones who will satisfy you oh Lord
And they will try
Try in every way Lord
To run your life
Mmm, trouble in the land...
iraplikeyoubreathe
So sublime went to costa rica on a surf trip so brad could dry out from heroin. They didn't bring instruments so they borrowed these and did a quick set. I feel brad picked " leaving babylon" by bad brains as a metaphor for leaving the city to get away from its temptations. This is a real time capsule and an amazing version.
Maurice Carlos Jr
Love this song no matter what, Brad was the reason I started playing my guitar s
Travis Travis
Dude!!@ I've got SO much to say about that. But just thank you though
BigBenny
Do you know part of Costa Rica they went to??
Kyle Smicker
I feel they wanted to make the best cover since Joe Coker covers the Beatles hahaha. Just an amazing song, blessed to have heard it
Mercy Green
The uu7
ZachisSublime
This one of my most influential songs of all time. I found this on youtube somewhere in 2009 and I no idea it was a Bad Brains cover many years but the video, the intro little solo, and Brad's voice and especially Eric's bassline made me want to play. I've been playing guitar for 14 years pretty much because of this song and definitely because of Sublime as a whole.
Jor dan
Erics bass lines are legendary
CAS
Whoever took this footage, sublime fans bless you. ♥️
Jor dan
It just proves how good this band was