Sublime was an American reggae rock and ska punk band from Long Beach, Cali… Read Full Bio ↴Sublime was an American reggae rock and ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Eric Wilson (bass), and Bud Gaugh (drums). Lou Dog, Nowell's dalmatian, was the mascot of the band. Nowell died of a heroin overdose in 1996, resulting in Sublime's breakup. In 1997, songs such as "What I Got", "Santeria", "Wrong Way", "Doin' Time", and "April 29, 1992 (Miami)" were released to U.S. radio.

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 Greatest Hits
Sublime Lyrics

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Wake up in the morning and it's hard to live
Hard to live, yes, it's hard to live
And it will be a long time before shit starts to give
And every single day it's getting harder to give
But God would be up for being down with a ho
Lord knows that I got fuckin' mic control
Do you got the mic control?
You notice your style is well original

This man, makin' money
How I know
It wont be no man of me
In my bed I watch TV
I'm drunk by noon
But that's ok
I'll be president someday
Light my cigarette and
I think that Bert Susanka made me drink
Load the box and then pump that shit
Got my greatest hits
Got my greatest hits

Is this band, makin' money? I don't know
The writing on the wall
All my friends drink alcohol
I'm too drunk to light the bong
I'm too stoned to write this song
Light my cigarette and
I think that Bert Susanka made me drink
Load the box and then pump that shit
Got my greatest hits

Wake up in the morning and it's hard to live
Hard to live, hard to live
It's hard to live and it will be a long time
Before shit starts to give
And every single day it's getting harder to give
But God would be up for being down with a ho
Lord knows that I got fuckin' mic control
Do you got mic control?
You notice your style is well original

This man, makin' money, how I know
It won't be no man of me
In my bed I watch TV I'm drunk by noon
But that's OK I'll be president someday
Light my cigarette and
I think that Bert Susanka made me drink
Load the box and then pump that shit
It's the Ziggens greatest hit

It's the Ziggens greatest hit
It's the Ziggens his great-est hit

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Greatest Hits" by Sublime reflect the struggles of life and the difficulties one faces every day. The repetition of "hard to live" emphasizes the relentless burden of daily existence, and the line "every single day it's getting harder to give" suggests a growing sense of hopelessness. The reference to God being "up for being down with a ho" may suggest the singer's struggle with their own morality or perhaps a sense of disillusionment with organized religion. The nod to "mic control" and the reference to an "original style" may be a nod to the band's own success and unique sound.

The second verse shifts the focus to the singer's personal life, with hints of alcohol and drug use. The line "I'll be president someday" may reflect a sense of delusion or ironic commentary on the political sphere. The repetition of "light my cigarette" and "load the box and then pump that shit" suggest indulgence as a way of coping with the challenges of life. The chorus repeats the same message from the first verse, highlighting the ongoing struggle of living day to day.

Overall, the lyrics of "Greatest Hits" are both introspective and social commentary, expressing the hardships of life while also acknowledging the band's own success and unique sound.

Line by Line Meaning

Wake up in the morning and it's hard to live
Starting the day is challenging

Hard to live, yes, it's hard to live
Life is difficult

And it will be a long time before shit starts to give
Things won't improve for a while

And every single day it's getting harder to give
Life is becoming more challenging with each passing day

But God would be up for being down with a ho
God would accept anyone, regardless of their lifestyle

Lord knows that I got fuckin' mic control
I am confident in my ability to perform on the microphone

Do you got the mic control?
Are you confident in your ability to perform on the microphone?

You notice your style is well original
You have a unique style

Is this band, makin' money? I don't know
I am unsure if the band is making money

The writing on the wall
The signs are apparent

All my friends drink alcohol
My social circle enjoys consuming alcohol