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.
newsong
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I won't stress and I won't switch
And I would not take my life
Glory please, my God the only thing on my mind
Takes up all of my time
And I said ooh!
Running from a gun
And my God it hurts to get so low
Searchin' through the cars
Cold still searchin' through the night
I think I will run to you but I refuse to fuss and fight
And God may find a reason
Well I'm sure you'll find a rhyme
Because it takes up nearly all my time
He who stands for freedom
God knows I've got the number
But maybe I just use too much
I was sitting in that bar
Now I'm sittin' in that stolen car
Cold, still rollin' down the boulevard
Saw you with a gleam
And the microphone scene
Think I will run, to you
But I know I won't live for me
Cause I know God's got both, the reason and the rhyme
Please tell me, why he takes up all my time
I've been drinking, just like you
And baby, you've got something I can use
Payback's a mother fuckin' blast
But I won't stress and I won't blast
And I would not take my life
Glory please, my God, comin' from heaven above
Takes up all of my time
And I said
(Why must I feel like that?)
Running from a gun
And some brain that weights a ton
You know, I did that line for Flava' Flav
But, all the D.J.'s do it
All the D.J.'s use it
I would run, I would switch
But I want to be the same
And I know I'll find a reason
'Cause I always bust a rhyme
Because it takes up nearly all my time
The T hear stands for treason
The D hear stands for dove
And maybe I just use too
Maybe I'm just used too
And maybe I just use too much
The lyrics to Sublime's "New Song" are introspective and soul-searching, with the singer recognizing the pains of life while seeking solace in God. The opening lines acknowledge the concept of payback or karma, but the singer refuses to be consumed by it, instead focusing on his faith in God. This faith takes up all of his time and is the only thing on his mind, pushing out any feelings of anger or retribution.
The singer then describes feeling low and searching for something, possibly running from danger or a heavy burden. He sees someone with a microphone and is tempted to run to them, but he refuses to fight or make a fuss. The singer recognizes that God may have a reason for the struggles he faces, even if he doesn't understand it himself. He affirms his commitment to freedom and acknowledges that he may sometimes use too much of his God-given talents.
The song shifts in tone in the final verse when the singer describes sitting in a bar and then a stolen car, possibly indicating a downward spiral. He sees something in someone else that he wants to use, but is also aware of the danger of letting life consume him. The song concludes with the singer acknowledging that he always finds a reason to bust a rhyme, but maybe he uses too much of his creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard that payback's a mother fuckin' bitch
I've heard that when one seeks revenge, it can be incredibly difficult and painful
But I won't stress and I won't switch
But I won't let it consume me or cause me to act differently
And I would not take my life
I won't let the challenges of life drive me to take my own life
Glory please, my God the only thing on my mind
All I think about is giving glory to my God
Takes up all of my time
It occupies all my thoughts and actions
And I said ooh!
I express a feeling of excitement or satisfaction
Running from a gun
Fleeing from danger or trouble
Or some brain that weights a ton
Or the burden of difficult thoughts or decisions
And my God it hurts to get so low
It's painful to feel so hopeless or defeated
Searchin' through the cars
Looking for answers or a way out
Cold still searchin' through the night
Feeling alone and vulnerable while searching for a solution
I think I will run to you but I refuse to fuss and fight
I want to seek help or support, but I won't argue or fight about it
And God may find a reason
Perhaps God has a purpose for everything that's going on
Well I'm sure you'll find a rhyme
There may be some explanation or pattern to make sense of it all
Because it takes up nearly all my time
Because this consumes all of my thoughts and actions
He who stands for freedom
Someone who believes in and fights for freedom
God knows I've got the number
God knows I'm committed to the cause
But maybe I just use too much
But maybe I'm becoming consumed or extreme in my beliefs
I was sitting in that bar
Reflecting on a past experience at a bar
Now I'm sittin' in that stolen car
Now I'm reflecting on a current situation of being on the run or in trouble
Cold, still rollin' down the boulevard
Feeling alone, vulnerable, and exposed while searching for a way out
Saw you with a gleam
Saw you with excitement or interest in something
And the microphone scene
Referring to the rap or music scene with a microphone as a symbol
Think I will run, to you
Thinking about reaching out for help or support
But I know I won't live for me
But I know my purpose in life isn't just about my own needs or desires
Cause I know God's got both, the reason and the rhyme
Because I believe that God has a bigger plan and explanation
Please tell me, why he takes up all my time
Please help me understand why this consumes all of my thoughts and actions
I've been drinking, just like you
I've been using alcohol to cope with the challenges of life, similar to you
And baby, you've got something I can use
And maybe you have some wisdom or insight that can help me
Payback's a mother fuckin' blast
Seeking revenge can be an exciting and thrilling experience
But I won't stress and I won't blast
But I won't let it consume me or cause me to act recklessly
And I would not take my life
I won't let the challenges of life drive me to take my own life
Glory please, my God, comin' from heaven above
All I want is to give glory to my God who is beyond this world
Takes up all of my time
It occupies all my thoughts and actions
And I said
I expressed
(Why must I feel like that?)
(Why do I have to feel this way?)
Running from a gun
Fleeing from danger or trouble
And some brain that weights a ton
And the burden of difficult thoughts or decisions
You know, I did that line for Flava' Flav
You know, I wrote that lyric as a nod to Flava' Flav's style
But, all the D.J.'s do it
But many DJs use similar rhymes or lines in their music
All the D.J.'s use it
Many DJs use similar rhymes or lines in their music
I would run, I would switch
I would consider changing my approach or seeking a different solution
But I want to be the same
But I want to stay true to myself and my beliefs
And I know I'll find a reason
And I believe there must be a purpose or explanation for everything
'Cause I always bust a rhyme
Because I'm constantly creating and expressing myself through my music
Because it takes up nearly all my time
Because this consumes all of my thoughts and actions
The T hear stands for treason
The T symbol represents treason or betrayal
The D hear stands for dove
The D symbol represents peace or a peaceful approach
And maybe I just use too
And maybe I'm becoming consumed or extreme in my beliefs
Maybe I'm just used too
Maybe I'm just too comfortable or accustomed to this way of life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES NOWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jenenergy4762
My favorite Sublime song. ❤️🔥
@tesorosdetomas
Back in the 90s I used to love to listen to this song on bike rides. Miss my Walkman too. 😢
@devilsoffspring5519
People have smartphones and tablets these days, much better than any Walkman ever was. Nostalgia is sometimes a little screwy
@free-zq3ud
I wAS SO hPYY THE DAY i FOUnd my waalkMAN
@666sk8erguy
@@devilsoffspring5519not really. Owning physical copies of stuff is the way to go. You don’t lose it if you don’t pay your internet bill.
@jaydevice333
Good song, ahead of their time fo sho
@nickhartman6372
@@devilsoffspring5519better is very subjective. I'll take physical media over digital every time, I like to actually OWN the things I spend my money on.
@YoBoiZER0530
Been listening to them all my life! Gonna get a sublime tat in the middle of my chest soon! 💯❤️🔥🔥🔥
@hellyahdawg03
The Best Band Ever!
@mateosamora
One of my favorite SUBLIME tunes. So underrated!