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.
Why Can't we be Friends
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've seen you 'round for a long long time
I remembered you when you drank my wine
Chorus
I've seen you walking down in Chinatown
Chorus
I paid my money to the welfare line
I see you standing in it every time
Chorus
The color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as we can live in harmony
Chorus
I'd kind of like to be the President
So I can show you how your money's spent
Chorus
Sometimes I don't speak right
But yet I know what I'm talking about
Chorus
I know you're working for the CIA
They wouldn't have you in the Mafi-A.
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
fadeout
The song "Why Can't We Be Friends" by Sublime is a message of hope, unity, and a plea for racial harmony. The repeated chorus is a cry for people to put aside their differences and come together, regardless of race, social class, or political affiliation. The lyrics express a desire for inclusivity and understanding between people of different backgrounds. The lines "The color of your skin don't matter to me, as long as we can live in harmony" capture the essence of the sentiment.
The verses describe encounters with a person the singer has known for a long time and acknowledges that they have had tension in the past. The urban setting of Chinatown and the reference to welfare lines highlight the social and economic issues that can divide us, but the song chooses to focus on the possibility of friendship and acceptance as a way to bridge the divide.
The song also makes references to politics, with the mention of wanting to be President, and the suggestion that the person is working for the CIA, which may allude to how government agencies may try to keep people divided. Despite this, the song maintains a positive perspective and emphasizes that we should still try to see the good in others and be open to the possibility of friendship.
Some interesting facts about the song include that it was originally written and performed by War in 1975, and Sublime's version became a hit in the mid-1990s. The song has been used in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials, including the movie Anchorman, and in a Nike commercial. The song was also played at the White House during the Clinton administration. The song became a popular chant at sporting events, particularly basketball games. The original War version of the song is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.
The chords for "Why Can't We Be Friends" in the key of G are:
G / D / Am / C
G / D / Am / C
G / D / Am / C
G / D / Am / C
Chorus:
G / D / Am / C
G / D / Am / C
G / D / Am / C
G / D / C
The song can be played with these chords using strumming or as a reggae-style rhythm.
Line by Line Meaning
Why can't we be friends (4x)
The singer expresses a desire to be friends with someone and questions why they can't.
I've seen you 'round for a long long time
The singer has observed the person for a while.
I remembered you when you drank my wine
The singer recalls a particular moment of interaction with the person.
I've seen you walking down in Chinatown
The singer has seen the person in a specific location.
I called you but you could not look around
The singer has attempted to get the person's attention, but they didn't notice.
I paid my money to the welfare line
The singer has paid into a social welfare system.
I see you standing in it every time
The singer has observed the person in the same situation.
The color of your skin don't matter to me
The singer does not care about the person's race.
As long as we can live in harmony
The singer desires peaceful coexistence.
I'd kind of like to be the President
The singer has political aspirations.
So I can show you how your money's spent
The singer wants to demonstrate better use of funds.
Sometimes I don't speak right
The singer admits to communication difficulties.
But yet I know what I'm talking about
The singer believes they have valid ideas despite any speech issues.
I know you're working for the CIA
The singer believes the person to be a government agent.
They wouldn't have you in the Mafi-A.
The singer contrasts CIA employment with organized crime involvement.
Chorus
The repeated request for friendship and harmony.
fadeout
The song ends with the repeated chorus, gradually diminishing in volume.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pedrocampos691
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@benh-d8733
RIP Steve, you were an amazing singer and a big inspiration to a lot of people. Smash Mouth was an amazing part of my childhood. Smash Mouth is the band that got me into ska punk. You will be missed, bro!🙏❤️
@kbleo90
Glad to see I'm not the only one remembering his music! R.i.p peace steve.
@latchflex838
He was an amazing singer, but to be fair he DID tell someone he'd kill his family and also put up the nazi salute. He was a good man for the majority of his life though, I'll give him that.
@luispeiro8492
🙏❤
@El_Papu_Grasa
😞 me cuesta creer que Steve Harwell se ha ido, me inspiro a ser músico y ahora siento que no soy nada
@Gandhilios
There is no fucking way he died you I didn’t even know😢😭
@ericastevens614
At first I thought I'd never heard this song before
But then I saw her face
@ilariabenzia4525
get out
@pablohoney5209
now I'm a believer
@doubletap2.036
+Ilaria Benzia lol