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.
What Happened / Eye of Fatima
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She got the Eye of Fatima
In the wall of his room
Three bottles of Tequila
Three cats and a broom
He got a 15-year-old angel
And she's all dressed in black
Tied up in a sack
This here's a government experiment
And we're drivin' like hell
We'll get some cowboys on acid
And we'll stay in motels
We gonna eat up some wide open spaces
Like it was the top of the Nile
The hands on the clock are gonna be here
A while
An eye of Eye of Fatima
In the wall of the hotel room
And cowboys on acid
Are like Egyptian cartoons
No one ever conquered Wyoming
From the left or from the right
Just stay in the hotel room
Stay up all night
These lyrics are from the song "What Happened / Eye of Fatima" by the band Sublime. The first line, "It's recording?" sets the scene for the song, as if the lyrics that follow are being captured in a recording. The rest of the verse describes the scene of the recording - a room with a Eye of Fatima (a symbol from Arabic culture often thought to bring good luck) on the wall, three bottles of tequila, three cats, and a broom. The second line reveals a 15-year-old angel, dressed in black, and next to the angel is a sack of 15 bindles of cocaine.
The second verse takes a surreal turn, describing a "government experiment" with people "driving like hell". The experiment involves "cowboys on acid" and staying in motels while consuming "wide open spaces". The image of cowboys on acid as "Egyptian cartoons" further emphasizes the surreal nature of the scene. The final line of the verse suggests that time stretches endlessly in this scenario, as "the hands on the clock are gonna be here / A while". The final verse repeats the first verse, emphasizing the scene of the Eye of Fatima and staying up all night in a hotel room.
Overall, the lyrics of "What Happened / Eye of Fatima" paint a vivid, surreal picture of a strange and possibly dangerous scenario involving drugs, symbols of luck and spirituality, and a feeling of time stretching beyond normal limits.
Line by Line Meaning
It's recording?
Asking if the recording is taking place.
She got the Eye of Fatima
She possesses an Eye of Fatima, which is a good omen and supposed to give a clear vision to see through all the obstacles.
In the wall of his room
The Eye of Fatima is placed in the wall of his room; a mystical symbol to bring in good luck and keep the bad energy out of the room.
Three bottles of Tequila
Three bottles of the famous Mexican alcoholic drink Tequila are there to enjoy and have fun.
Three cats and a broom
Three cats that represent independence, curiosity, and intuition, and a broom, which symbolizes the cleaning of unwanted energy, is present there.
He got a 15-year-old angel
There is a girl, who is like an innocent angel, only 15 years old.
And she's all dressed in black
The girl is wearing all black clothing, which is often associated with mourning, death or mystery.
He got 15 bindles of cocaine
There are 15 small packets of cocaine bundled together and ready to be used.
Tied up in a sack
The 15 bundles of cocaine are tied together in a sack for easy transportation.
This here's a government experiment
The journey they are currently experiencing could be a secret project conducted by the government.
And we're drivin' like hell
They are driving very fast and recklessly, perhaps to escape or meet their goals as soon as possible.
We'll get some cowboys on acid
They plan to find and hang out with people who are acting foolishly due to their drug intake.
And we'll stay in motels
They will spend their nights in motels instead of camping outside.
We gonna eat up some wide open spaces
They will travel through the vast, open areas of the country and eat whatever they can find on the road.
Like it was the top of the Nile
They will enjoy their journey as if they were traveling on the top of one of the most famous rivers in the world.
The hands on the clock are gonna be here
They will spend a lot of time on their journey and time will pass by slowly.
A while
Their journey is expected to last for some time.
An eye of Eye of Fatima
They have another Eye of Fatima with them that is being kept in the wall of the hotel room.
In the wall of the hotel room
The Eye of Fatima is located in the wall of their motel room, as another way to keep the bad energy out of their room.
And cowboys on acid
They have finally found some cowboys who are under the influence of drugs, which makes them act in unusual ways.
Are like Egyptian cartoons
They perceived the cowboys as if they were from an Egyptian cartoon, which is strange and surreal.
No one ever conquered Wyoming
Wyoming is an unconquerable and unbeatable land by anyone on the left or right side, meaning passing through it is not an easy task.
From the left or from the right
It signifies that people have tried to conquer Wyoming from both sides, but no one has ever succeeded.
Just stay in the hotel room
They decide to spend the night in their hotel room instead of going outside and risking their lives.
Stay up all night
They plan to stay awake throughout the night and talk or do whatever they want.
Contributed by Asher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Boenk Nsty Brown
on Santeria
the best