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.
Sublime
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rudy gets plenty
The baton stick gets shorter
Rudy gets taller
Cant fight against the youth
Cause we're strong and the rude rude people
Cant fight against the youth
Cause we're strong and the rude rude people
Baby get down
When I was a youth in 1983
It was the best day of my life, had the 89 vision
We didn't fuss or no fight
When all the little daughters wanna be my wife
It was playin on my guitar, on my guitar
I had to be there
I had to be there
I had to be there
I had to be there
When the rhythm playin'
I know that I'm gonna be there yeah
Bud Gaugh will be singing there
And Eric Wilson will be bangin' up there, yea
And we'll be all singing
With version, with version
Reggae version
Version, Version, Version oh
What has been told to the wise and up-rooted
Its gonna be revealed unto, and Sublime
Rudy Rudy Rudy
Cant fight against the youth, right now
Them are rude, rude people
Cant fight against the resistance, oh right now
Them are rude, rude people
We gonna rule this land among children
We gonna rule this land...
Cause when that rhythm it was playin on my guitar
On my guitar
I had to be there
I had to be there
I had to be there
I had to be there
When I was a youth it was the best day
It was the best day of my life
We had the 89' vision
We didn't fuss or no fight
When all the little daughters wanna be my wife
When that rhythm it was playin' on my guitar
On my guitar
I had to be there
I had to be there
I had to be there
I had to be there
Had to be there...
Jailhouse gets empty
Rudy gets plenty
Baton stick gets shorter
Rudy gets taller, taller
And fight against the youth
Cause we're strong, them are rude, rude people
Cant fight against the youth
The song "Sublime" by the American ska punk band Sublime features the theme of youth rebellion and resistance against authority. The lines "Jailhouse gets empty, Rudy gets plenty" and "Baton stick gets shorter, Rudy gets taller" highlight how the youth are breaking free from the constraints of the law and authoritarian figures. The repetition of "Cant fight against the youth, Cause we're strong and the rude rude people" emphasizes the power and strength of the young against those who seek to control them.
The lyrics also reflect the nostalgia of the singer for his youth in 1983, when he had the "89 vision." He remembers how it was "the best day of his life" and the "rhythm playing on his guitar." The song seems to suggest that the youth have the power to create their own world, their own music, and their own resistance against authority. The reference to "Bud Gaugh" and "Eric Wilson" indicates the band members who are part of this musical rebellion.
Sublime's song "Sublime" is a testament to the spirit of youth rebellion and resistance against authority. The song encourages young people to assert their independence and power, and to create their own music and culture as a way of creating a new world.
Line by Line Meaning
Jailhouse gets empty
As more and more people are released from jail, those who were previously incarcerated have more room and freedom.
Rudy gets plenty
Rudy, likely a reference to someone who is successful or prominent, continues to accumulate wealth and success.
The baton stick gets shorter
Rudy gets taller
As law enforcement and those in power become weaker, those like Rudy who are thriving continue to grow stronger.
Cant fight against the youth
Cause we're strong and the rude rude people
It's impossible to resist or quash the strength and power of young people, especially when they are defiant and bold in their actions and beliefs.
Baby get down
This line could refer to the start of a party or a call to dance and let loose.
When I was a youth in 1983
It was the best day of my life, had the 89 vision
We didn't fuss or no fight
When all the little daughters wanna be my wife
The singer reminisces about a time in their youth when they had a clear vision for their future and things were peaceful and harmonious, with many potential romantic partners expressing interest.
It was playin on my guitar, on my guitar
The singer's guitar, likely a source of comfort and creative outlet, featured prominently in their fond memories of the past.
When the rhythm playin'
I know that I'm gonna be there yeah
Bud Gaugh will be singing there
And Eric Wilson will be bangin' up there, yea
And we'll be all singing
With version, with version
Reggae version
Version, Version, Version oh
The artist imagines future gatherings where they and their bandmates will perform reggae music together and generate a feeling of solidarity through the shared, rhythmic experience.
What has been told to the wise and up-rooted
Its gonna be revealed unto, and Sublime
The artist suggests that they, along with their band Sublime, are privy to knowledge that will be disclosed to others who are intelligent and have been displaced from where they belong.
Rudy Rudy Rudy
Cant fight against the youth, right now
Them are rude, rude people
Cant fight against the resistance, oh right now
Them are rude, rude people
Rudy, a symbol of power and influence, cannot contend with young people who are bold and rebellious, indicating a shift in societal power dynamics.
We gonna rule this land among children
We gonna rule this land...
The singer envisions a future where young people will seize control and dominate the country.
Writer(s): MATTHEW BROWN, GRAHAM DRINNAN
Contributed by Levi C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@valinhense1
R.I.P. Bradley.
The good die young, but the music lives on.
@MadCowShytt
Facts, not a fan of how he died, but still a legend
@yncasasue9721
@@MadCowShytt I don't think many people are fans of it.
@lespalmer1077
Rip 🙏
@aarons2moody
Yncas sublime is alive
@dariusreed563
@@aarons2moody um not the original sublime sadly Bradley Nowell is dead and let's face it compared to the old sublime the new sublime sucks
@bmjv77
I lived in southern California in the 90s. I can't think of any other band who's sound can immediately take me back to that magical place and time like Sublime.
@MB34756
i grew up on the east coast and never got out west till the late 2000s and this brings me to socal in the 90s to this day. :D
@doxholiday1372
Where in So Cal? I had the amazingly good fortune of going to high school in Huntington Beach - so just a hop, skip, and jump to Garden Grove, and Long Beach where Sublime is from.
@bmjv77
@@doxholiday1372 I was up in Santa Barbara.