This song tells the story of a jealous ex-boyfriend pursuing to reclaim his ex-girlfriend from a man. The lead singer of Sublime, Bradley Nowell refers to the man as "sancho" and his ex-girlfriend as "heina". In Mexico, a man who steals another man's girl is often refered to as "el Sancho" and a man's woman or girlfriend is refered to as "heina".
A music video was filmed in 1997 after the death of lead singer Bradley Nowell, who makes a cameo via stock footage. The video was a visualization of the story told in the song in the form of a Western, and featured Tom Lister, Jr. as Sancho.
Santeria is a playable track on the 2008 video game Guitar Hero: World Tour.
Santeria was covered by ska punk band Spunge on their second album, Room For Abuse and by pop punk bands The Cab and The Academy Is... on their 14 show Hot Topic acoustic tour (Hello My Name Is...) in January 2009.
Santeria
Sublime Lyrics
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Well, I had a million dollars but I, I'd spend it all
If I could find that Heina and that Sancho that she's found
Well, I'd pop a cap in Sancho and I'd slap her down
What I really want to know
Ah, baby, mm
What I really want to say
Well it's love that I need
Oh, my soul will have to wait 'til I get back and find
Heina of my own
Daddy's gonna love one and all
I feel the break, feel the break
Feel the break and I got to live it up, oh yeah huh
Well, I swear that I, well I really want to know
Ah, baby, what I really want to say, I can't define
That love, make it go, but my soul will have to
Ooh, what I really want to say, ah baby
What I really want to say is, "I've got mine
And I'll make it, ooh yes, I'm coming up"
Tell Sanchito that if he knows what is good for him
He best go run and hide
Daddy's got a new .45
And I won't think twice to stick that barrel straight down Sancho's throat
Believe me when I say that I got something for his punk ass
What I really want to know, my baby
Ooh, what I really want to say is there's just one way back
And I'll make it, yeah, my soul will have to wait
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Sublime's hit song, Santeria, has a simple yet deeply emotional lyrics. The song follows the story of a man who is in search of his lost love interest, the 'Heina', who has moved on and found another man, the 'Sancho.' The lyrics showcase the man's inner turmoil and desperation, as he laments not being able to find his love interest and the bitterness he feels towards the 'Sancho.' The man fantasizes about seeking revenge, suggesting he would be willing to go as far as shooting and slapping the portrayed antagonist. However, the singer acknowledges that he doesn't practice Santeria, the Afro-Caribbean religion prevalent in Cuba, therefore he doesn't know whether he has the power to hurt Sancho.
The song's chorus stands out in its rawness, as the man yearns for love and longs for someone to love him back. He feels the break and needs to live it up, indicating that he needs to take control of his life and find happiness. The chorus encapsulates the emotions of the song, showcasing the man's vulnerability and sadness that he experiences. The lyrics are a poignant reminder of the pain that heartbreak can bring and the desperation that love can evoke.
Facts about the song "Santeria":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't practice Santeria, I ain't got no crystal ball
I am not a religious practitioner of Santeria, nor do I have any fortune-telling abilities.
Well, I had a million dollars but I, I'd spend it all
If I were to suddenly become wealthy, I would spend all of my money.
If I could find that Heina and that Sancho that she's found
I am searching for a woman named Heina and the man named Sancho she is seeing.
Well, I'd pop a cap in Sancho and I'd slap her down
If I found them together, I would shoot Sancho and physically harm her for cheating on me.
What I really want to know
My burning question is
Ah, baby, mm
My term of endearment for my lover
What I really want to say
The message I am struggling to convey is
I can't define
It is difficult for me to express
Well it's love that I need
What I am searching for is true love
Oh, my soul will have to wait 'til I get back and find
I will have to be patient and Wait until I find what I am looking for.
Heina of my own
I am searching for my own woman, my partner in love
Daddy's gonna love one and all
Once I find my soulmate, I will love her entirely and unconditionally
I feel the break, feel the break
I feel my heart breaking, I feel the sorrow
Feel the break and I got to live it up, oh yeah huh
I must let go of the pain and move on with my life.
Well, I swear that I, well I really want to know
I swear on my life that I need to understand
Tell Sanchito that if he knows what is good for him
Warn Sancho that he better beware
He best go run and hide
It would be in his best interest to flee and avoid confrontation
Daddy's got a new .45
I have acquired a new firearm
And I won't think twice to stick that barrel straight down Sancho's throat
I will not hesitate to violently confront Sancho
Believe me when I say that I got something for his punk ass
Trust me, I have something in store for that cowardly man
Ooh, what I really want to say, ah baby
What I really need to express is, my dear
What I really want to say is, "I've got mine
What I need to vocalize is that I have found what I am looking for
And I'll make it, ooh yes, I'm coming up"
I am confident and optimistic that things will work out for me
Ooh, what I really want to say is there's just one way back
What I truly believe is that I need to start over and find my way back to true love
And I'll make it, yeah, my soul will have to wait
I will make it to where I need to be, but I will have to be patient and wait for true love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bradley James Nowell, Eric John Wilson, Floyd I Iv Gaugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Boenk Nsty Brown
the best
Rog Brito
Santeria
Sublime
I don't practice santeria
I ain't got no crystal ball
Well, I had a million dollars, but I
I'd spend it all
If I could find that heina
And that sancho that she's found
Well, I'd pop a cap in sancho and I'd slap her down
What I really wanna know, my baby
What I really wanna say
I can't define
Well, it's love that I need oh
My soul will have to
Wait 'til I get back
Find a heina of my own
Daddy's gonna love one and all
I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break
And I gotta live it up, ohh, yeah, huh
Well, I swear that I
What I really wanna know, oh, baby
What I really wanna say
I can't define
That love make it go
My soul will have to
Oh, what I really wanna say
My baby
What I really wanna say
Is I've got mine
And I'll make it
Yes, I'm comin' up
Tell sanchito that if he knows
What is good for him
He'd best go run and hide
Daddy's got a new .45
And I won't think twice to stick
That barrel straight down Sancho's throat
Believe me when I say
That I got something for his punk ass
What I really wanna know, my baby, oooh
What I really wanna say is there's just one
Way back and I'll make it, yeah
My soul will have to wait
Jack Man 13
FOREVER... I'm 35 grad 2005.
I'll turn up Sublime anywhere i hear it, although there's something about the memories at the beach spring break 2005 senior year listening to Sublime for me specifically ...nothing like being at the beach, Sublime, margaritas, Coronas and lime, trying to hide your girlfriends from your hookups, couple joints later in the day beautiful Florida sunset, night out.
I remember at camp in Louisiana in the late nineties when I first heard them. Something nostalgic.
Our parents would never let us listen if they knew what was on the album but my mom was cool and bought it for us anyways..... (At least 5 different times😂)
Until burning cd's came a few yrs later..i was probably 11 when this came out. Honestly I don't give a shit who you are or what you look like you're my best friend if Sublime is your jam..
Yrs later, been through a lot. Addiction where Sublime was my happy place as well as Tom Petty, sobriety, now somewhere in between. Funny how growing up I had no clue about the opiate influence Sublime sings about that I would later face...
Thank God you wouldn't know by looking at me. Its actually kept me youthful. I still look early twenties and feel maybe 20.
Id give everything to go back to late 1990s early 2000s.
Not because my life is bad but because things were so great back then.
Jiggy-jig Reload
I'm leaving this comment here so that after a week or a month or a year when someone likes it, I'll get reminded of this masterpiece
warchildodin
9 days later I'm her to remind you
Jovana D
enjoy ⭐️
Andrew Forlizzi
Play it
Seth Garcia
It’s about that time again
The biggest chiefer
Yessir
Ronald Coleman
This was my older brothers favorite band. He died two days ago and still don’t know how to feel. It’s been really weird. But I’m still gonna listen to Sublime for those good memories of him
Garrett Caldwell
your brother had good music taste
Cool Evlo
Grief is weird. You’d expect it to peak right after the event, but it doesn’t truly hit you until a couple days, weeks, or even months later.