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.
Lou Makes Friends
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make me wipe off and licka them clean
Pass me the lazerbeam
Make me wipe off and licka them clean
Bud Gaugh comes with his M-16
Snow come with the AK to the 47
Lovin' the lovin' the lovin' the lovin' the dj
I woke up in the morning
I was at Ramy's pad
I looked up and saw Bud going to town
On a little fine henia that he met the night before
He knew he was the man
But he knew she was a whore
Oh yeah, they comin', they comin', they comin', with a boss dj
He took the money home and gave it to Sancho
But that's the way the money goes
Rise it up and let the talent flow
Cause give it love time and they said give it away
We went downtown to a town called LA
It was half an hour drive about driving from Long Beach
But still every time I'm feeling so out of reach
So I went down to club Lingerie
We took a big bus all the way to LA
When we stepped out all the people said
Ay we wanna drinka, drinka, drinka
Said uppa get get up on the dance floor
And lovin', lovin', make the music lovin' me
Take all the love and make it walk over me
When we got home end of the night i was sick
15 minutes later she was up up on the dick
I said lord, lord, lord make the lovin' give away
I don't have protection so I'll just make my mistake
But blue balls always take all your love away
You love and you love and you love but you one can't say
And this is how it happened to me
Went down to the clinic, positive HIV
HIV was never no friend to me
I love, I love, I leave, I leave it anyway
But oh god please I'll protect after this
Never want no music make me feel God blessed
Said I Love, I love, I love, I love, I love
I love, I love, I love, I love, I love
One DJ causing trouble
Take your love away from me
The lyrics of Sublime's "Lou Makes Friends" start off with a request to pass a lazerbeam, which can be interpreted as asking for some drugs. Then the song jumps into talking about Bud, who has an M-16 rifle, and Snow, who has an AK-47. The song then transitions into talking about going to a club called Lingerie in LA, where the group takes a bus to get there. At the club, people are singing and dancing, and the DJ is causing trouble by playing music that takes away people's love.
As the song progresses, the group ends up hooking up with people at the club, with the singer getting sick afterwards. The song ends on a darker note with the singer revealing that he ended up testing positive for HIV. Overall, the song touches on the themes of partying, sex, and the consequences that can come from engaging in risky behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Pass me the lazerbeam
Make me wipe off and licka them clean
Pass me the lazerbeam
Make me wipe off and licka them clean
Asking for a laser beam and to use it to clean something thoroughly
Bud Gaugh comes with his M-16
Snow come with the AK to the 47
Lovin' the lovin' the lovin' the lovin' the dj
All over a town called LA
People bringing their weapons and enjoying the DJ in Los Angeles
I woke up in the morning
I was at Ramy's pad
I looked up and saw Bud going to town
On a little fine henia that he met the night before
He knew he was the man
But he knew she was a whore
Waking up at a friend's house and witnessing him having sex with a woman he just met, knowing she's promiscuous
Oh yeah, they comin', they comin', they comin', with a boss dj
He took the money home and gave it to Sancho
But that's the way the money goes
Rise it up and let the talent flow
Cause give it love time and they said give it away
We went downtown to a town called LA
Going to see a DJ with friends, giving money to someone named Sancho, and enjoying the talent
It was half an hour drive about driving from Long Beach
But still every time I'm feeling so out of reach
So I went down to club Lingerie
We took a big bus all the way to LA
Traveling from Long Beach to Club Lingerie in Los Angeles and feeling distant, but still enjoying the trip
When we stepped out all the people said
Ay we wanna drinka, drinka, drinka
Said uppa get get up on the dance floor
And lovin', lovin', make the music lovin' me
Take all the love and make it walk over me
People asking for drinks and dancing to the music, enjoying the experience
When we got home end of the night i was sick
15 minutes later she was up up on the dick
I said lord, lord, lord make the lovin' give away
I don't have protection so I'll just make my mistake
But blue balls always take all your love away
You love and you love and you love but you one can't say
Getting sick after a night of sexual activity and not having protection, causing regret for one's action and the consequences of not being able to show love properly
And this is how it happened to me
Went down to the clinic, positive HIV
HIV was never no friend to me
I love, I love, I leave, I leave it anyway
But oh god please I'll protect after this
Never want no music make me feel God blessed
Contracting HIV after sexual encounters and reflecting on the disease's impact on one's life, asking for protection, and wanting to avoid the dangers of promiscuity in the future
Said I Love, I love, I love, I love, I love
I love, I love, I love, I love, I love
One DJ causing trouble
Take your love away from me
Expressing love for music and a DJ, but acknowledging that the DJ can also cause trouble and take away from one's love
Contributed by Adrian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Boenk Nsty Brown
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