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.
Prophet
Sublime Lyrics
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Dont wanna cure no damn disease.
Would you marry me anyways,
If I was on my knees?
So I thought to myself,
I'm gonna marry into wealth.
Gonna take eveything shes got to offer,
She said to me,
"I dont like what I see."
I said to her,
"I dont even know your name.."
And she said to me,
"I dont like what I see."
I said to her,
"I dont even fuckin' care."
I aint no prophet
Dont wanna cure no damn disease.
Would you marry me anyways,
If I was on my knee?
I'm goin' through my time of change
In my time of need
What I want you got it
What I need is something that's not right
She said to me,
"I dont like what I see."
I said to her,
"I dont even know your name.."
And she said to me,
"I dont like what I see."
I said to her,
"I dont even fuckin' care......."
The lyrics of Sublime's song “Prophet” depict a man who is disenchanted with his life and is looking for a way out of his situation. He sings, "I ain't no prophet, don't wanna cure no damn disease," indicating that he doesn't see himself as being capable of making a significant difference in the world. He then asks if the woman he desires would still marry him if he was on his knees. This line could be interpreted as asking if she would still accept him, regardless of his lack of power or status.
The lyrics then take a darker turn as the man decides to "marry into wealth." He sees the woman as a means to an end and is more interested in what she can give him than in forming a genuine relationship. When she tells him she doesn't like what she sees, he responds with indifference, indicating that he doesn't care about her opinion or feelings.
The chorus is repeated twice more, with the final verse adding a layer of vulnerability to the character. He sings, "I'm going through my time of change, in my time of need, what I want you got it, what I need is something that's not right." This line could be interpreted as the man recognizing that he's not happy with his life, but he's not sure what he needs to change in order to find true happiness.
Overall, the lyrics of "Prophet" paint a picture of a man who is lost and disillusioned. He's looking for a way out of his situation, but he's not sure what he wants or needs. The song's melancholic tone creates a sense of sadness and desperation, underscoring the man's sense of hopelessness.
Line by Line Meaning
I aint no prophet
I am not some great seer with a message to share.
Dont wanna cure no damn disease.
I do not have any desire to fix or solve any problems.
Would you marry me anyways, If I was on my knees?
Would you accept me, even if I were desperate and begging?
So I thought to myself, I'm gonna marry into wealth.
I decided that my only hope for success was to marry someone rich.
Gonna take eveything shes got to offer, And keep it for myself.
I plan to take advantage of all her resources and not share any of it.
She said to me, "I dont like what I see."
She expressed her displeasure at my behavior or actions.
I said to her, "I dont even know your name.."
I replied with indifference, not knowing or caring about her identity.
And she said to me, "I dont like what I see."
She reiterated her previous statement of disapproval or disgust towards me.
I said to her, "I dont even fuckin' care."
I responded with apathy, indicating that her opinion did not matter to me.
I'm goin' through my time of change In my time of need
I am experiencing a significant shift or transformation during a critical moment in my life.
What I want you got it What I need is something that's not right
I desire what you have, but it is not what I truly need or want.
Would you marry me anyways, If I was on my knee?
Despite my desperation or vulnerability, would you still commit to me?
She said to me, "I dont like what I see."
She reemphasized her negative perception of me.
I said to her, "I dont even know your name.."
I repeated my earlier comment about being indifferent to her identity.
And she said to me, "I dont like what I see."
She reiterated her original statement of aversion towards me.
I said to her, "I dont even fuckin' care......."
I maintained my position of not caring or valuing her opinions or feelings.
Contributed by Nathaniel A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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