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.
SummerTime feat Snoop Dogg
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bradley's on the microphone with Ras-MG
All the people in the dance will agree that
We're well qualified to
Represent
The LBC
Me and Louie we're gonna run to the party and dance till the rhythm it
Harder
Ba da ba bye bye
Ba da ba bye bye
Me and my girl we got this relationship
I love her so bad, but she treats me like shh
All locked down like a penitentiary
She spreads her lovin' all over
And when she gets home
There's none left for me
Summertime and the livin's easy
Bradley's on the microphone with Ras-MG
All the people in the dance will agree that we're well qualified to
Represent
The LBC
Me and Louie we're gonna run to the party
And dance till the rhythm it gets
Harder
Ba da ba bye bye
Ba da ba bye bye
Ba da ba bye bye
Ba da ba bye bye
So take this veil from off my eyes
My burning sun will some day rise
And what am I gonna be doin for a wife
I said I'm gonna play with myself
Show them now we've come off the self
Summertime and the livin easy
Bradley's on the microphone with Ras-MG
All the people in the dance will agree that we're well qualified to
Represent
The LBC
Me and Louie we're gonna run to the party
And dance till the rhythm it
Gets
Harder
Evil
Evil
Tension
Tension
Hold her
Water
Evil come to tell you that she's evil
Most definitrly
Evil, horny scandalous and evil
Most definitely
The tension is growing hotter
I'd like to hold her head underwater
Summertime and the livin's easy
Bradley's on the microphone with RAS-MG
All the people in the dance will agree that we're well qualified to
Represent
The
LBC
Me and Louie everybody run to the party
And dance till the rhythm it gets
Harder
Sublime's song Summertime is an iconic summer anthem that celebrates the easy living and party vibe of Long Beach. The track paints a vivid picture of summertime fun with friends and the transformative magic of music. In the verses, Bradley Nowell, the main vocalist, introduces himself and a friend, Louie, who are headed for the party to get down to the rhythm. The chorus amplifies the celebratory mood and evokes the feeling that everyone is qualified to represent Long Beach.
The first verse announces the arrival of the summer season with a relaxed and chill atmosphere. The setting is that of party-goers looking for some fun with music and dance. Bradley's smooth flow on the mic is a nod to the effortless vibe of Long Beach culture. The second verse introduces the theme of the relationship dynamic between Bradley and his girl. The lyrics reveal that he loves her but is not happy about her wandering tendencies when it comes to spreading her lovin' all over. Despite the issue, the chorus remains the same, celebrating the easy living and party atmosphere of Long Beach.
The bridge in the song highlights a noticeable change in tone. Bradley's vocals become more desperate, suggesting some personal struggles. The conflict within himself and the longing for a partner who would share his passion for music for life are hinted at in the lyrics. The third chorus winds down, and the outro imposes an eerie and weird feeling. It introduces the element of twisted sexual and violent tension, which could be understood as symbolic ways to look at the struggle for fulfilling relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Summertime and the livin's easy
The summer season has arrived and life has become relaxed and without any difficulties.
Bradley's on the microphone with Ras-MG
Bradley is singing the song along with Ras-MG who is rapping.
All the people in the dance will agree that
We're well qualified to
Represent
The LBC
Everyone who is dancing will acknowledge that they are perfect and experienced enough to represent the LBC, which is Long Beach, California.
Me and Louie we're gonna run to the party and dance till the rhythm it
Gets
Harder
The singer and Louie will go to the party and dance until the music's rhythm turns hard and fast.
Ba da ba bye bye
Ba da ba bye bye
These lyrics represent a part of the song where the singer uses this phrase to conclude each verse or set of lyrics.
Me and my girl we got this relationship
I love her so bad, but she treats me like shh
All locked down like a penitentiary
She spreads her lovin' all over
And when she gets home
There's none left for me
The singer is in a relationship with his girlfriend but even though he loves her a lot, she treats him badly and he feels like he is locked down in a penitentiary. His girlfriend gives her affection to other people and when she gets home, there is none left for him.
So take this veil from off my eyes
My burning sun will some day rise
And what am I gonna be doin for a wife
I said I'm gonna play with myself
Show them now we've come off the self
The singer wants to remove the veil from his eyes so that he can see the things clearly. He believes that his burning sun will rise someday and he wonders what he should do for a wife. He then suggests that he will find solace in playing with himself and prove that he has overcome his limitations.
Evil
Evil
Tension
Tension
Hold her
Water
These lyrics are the beginning of another segment of the song where the singer talks about the tension and evil that he is feeling. The word 'Hold her' is also used which gives a hint about the previous lines where the singer mentions that he'd like to hold her head underwater.
Evil come to tell you that she's evil
Most definitrly
Evil, horny scandalous and evil
Most definitely
The singer talks about the nature of the woman he is referring to as evil. He says that she is definitely evil, scandalous, and horny.
The tension is growing hotter
I'd like to hold her head underwater
The tension between the singer and the woman is growing hotter and he mentions again that he would like to hold her head underwater.
Me and Louie everybody run to the party
And dance till the rhythm it gets
Harder
The singer and Louie invite everyone to run to the party and dance until the music's rhythm becomes harder.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O CAPASSO, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BYRON SCOTT DORRIS, JERMAINE JACKSON, JEFFREY ROBERSON, SYLVESTER EARL POWELL, MICHAEL K. JACKSON, MARZETTE GRIFFITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith Camplin
I'm sitting here right now in Long Beach, listening to this on the balcony of a 15th floor penthouse, doing it right.
7/9/2017
Jon Osterlund
Doin it doggie style I hope!
Smelley Vamelley
Keith Camplin fuck ya u r
CowboysOnAcid
Snoop is one of the illest rappers ever. you have to have respect for this. Sublime was influenced by hip hop and snoop is just remixing a great song by a great band from his home town. props
Jon Osterlund
Took a great tune and made it better!
mac Cea
CowboysOnAcid yeah you can listen to a lot of nwa samples and references in Sublimes songs
Joe Watters
omg do you know how long i have been looking for this song , cuz i lost my underground sublime cd = ] =]=] so happy
ORCA racing
i like all three versions
sean kenny
this is a real song cane out after bradley nowell died remixed with snoop
Tim Setchfield-Smith
its called "Doin' Time" Track 19 on disk 3 of Everything Under The Sun album.