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.
legalize it (dave aron mix
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shh, this shit's on
Legalize it, don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah mmm
And I will advertise it
Some of them call it ganja
Some call it marijuana
Yeah, mmm
I strictly call it boostalk
Singers smoke it
And players of double bass too
Doctors smoke it, yeeh
And my mom smokes it too
All they say sensimilla town, oh, oh, oh
And I said sensimilla for me
All they say sensimilla town, oh, oh, oh
And I said sensimilla for me
Uh, tax
Legalize it, don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah yeah
Then we will advertise it
Doctors smoke it
Lawyers smoke it
Sound guy smokes it
Yeah, yeah
Even my dog tokes it
Only cure for glaucoma
Only cure for asthma
It's the only cure
Will make me think faster, boo
All they say sensimilla town, oh, oh, oh
And I said sensimilla for me
All they say sensimilla town, oh, oh, oh
And I said sensimilla for me
Hmm, mm, mm, worry
Water cool and deadly
Water cool and deadly
Sing on, hoo, ooh, ee
Mm, mm
The lyrics of the song "Legalize It" by Sublime make a clear call for the legalization of marijuana. The chorus repeats the slogan "Legalize it, don't criticize it" and asserts that if it were legal, people would advertise it. The verses use slang terms for marijuana such as "ganja" and "boostalk," and name people from all walks of life who use it, including singers, players of the double bass, doctors, lawyers, sound guys, and even the singer's mom and dog. The song also claims that marijuana is the only cure for glaucoma and asthma and notes that it makes the singer think faster.
At the heart of this song is a political message. Bradley Nowell, the lead singer of Sublime, was a vocal advocate of marijuana legalization, and this song is one of his most explicit statements on the issue. By calling for the legalization of marijuana and enumerating the many people who use it, he seeks to normalize and destigmatize the drug. In doing so, he also raises important questions about why marijuana is illegal in the first place and whether the laws surrounding it are fair or effective. Overall, this song is a powerful statement on drug policy reform and a call to action for those who agree with its message.
Line by Line Meaning
Legalize it, don't criticize it
Advocate for the legalization of marijuana without being negative towards it
Legalize it, yeah mmm
Repeat the call to legalize marijuana and express enthusiastic agreement
And I will advertise it
Promote the benefits of legal marijuana if it is approved for sale
Some of them call it ganja
Marijuana is known by different names depending on who you ask
And some of them call it boo
Another commonly used nickname for marijuana is 'boo'
Some call it marijuana
Marijuana is the official name for the drug in most countries
I strictly call it boostalk
The singer has their own name for marijuana that they prefer to use
Singers smoke it
Musicians are among the many people who use marijuana
And players of double bass too
Even classical musicians who play large instruments like the double bass may use marijuana
Doctors smoke it, yeeh
Some doctors use marijuana, despite it being illegal in many places
And my mom smokes it too
The singer's own mother uses marijuana
All they say sensimilla town, oh, oh, oh
Some people refer to the place where marijuana is used frequently as 'sensimilla town'
And I said sensimilla for me
The singer has their own preferred term for this kind of community/gathering
Uh, tax
A cry for legalized marijuana to be taxed and regulated like other substances
Doctors smoke it
Reiterating the point that some medical professionals are known to use marijuana
Lawyers smoke it
Even lawyers, who may be concerned about the legal implications of getting caught with drugs, still use marijuana
Sound guy smokes it
Even members of the technical crew at concerts/events may use marijuana
Even my dog tokes it
The singer is being humorous and absurd by claiming even their pet dog uses marijuana
Only cure for glaucoma
Marijuana is a treatment for some medical conditions, including glaucoma
Only cure for asthma
Marijuana is not a cure for asthma, but it is believed to help some sufferers manage their symptoms
It's the only cure
Marijuana is presented as the solution to a variety of issues, which is an exaggeration
Will make me think faster, boo
The singer is making a joke about the effects of marijuana on their cognitive function
Hmm, mm, mm, worry
A nonsensical interjection or vocalization
Water cool and deadly
An unclear phrase that doesn't contribute much to the song's overall meaning
Sing on, hoo, ooh, ee
Encouragement to continue or start singing
Mm, mm
A nonverbal vocalization, perhaps indicating pleasure or agreement
Contributed by Ava S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Boenk Nsty Brown
on Santeria
the best