Sublime with Rome performed their first gig together in February 2009 near Gaugh's home in Nevada, followed by an appearance at Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival in San Bernadino that October. On April 20, 2010, the band embarked on their first-ever US tour with dates going into that fall. After positive reaction on the road, Sublime with Rome released a debut album on Fueled By Ramen records in July 2011.
In December 2011, Bud Gaugh revealed in an interview that he would be leaving Sublime With Rome and KROQ's Accoustic Christmas would be his last show. He saying he wanted to go home and spend more time with his family. He later went on to say "It was really good for the first few months, after that, it just felt wrong. Not playing the songs but playing them with the name Sublime, without Brad." When asked if he saw the band reuniting in the future Gaugh replied "No, I am done with SWR. I would be into playing music with Eric Wilson, however." He was replaced by Josh Freese.
Only
Sublime with Rome Lyrics
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We're pickin' up the pieces that we dropped along the way
We rise and fight and fall together
Anything to forget the problems of yesterday
Whatever they say is not only
Not the only way I know
Whatever they say is not always
Whatever they say is not for me
The sun will rise and fade your bruises
But it can never cleanse your body of the wounds and battle scars
We all just fight for some reaction
But you get yours, and I'll get mine, and they'll get theirs
Whatever they say is not only
Not the only way I know
Whatever they say is not always
Not the only way for me
Whatever they say is not only
Not the only way I know
Whatever they say is not for me
They tell us to keep pushing on, on, on
I said we can't, we can't, we can't move much more forward
With our feet pushed hard to the ground-ound-ound
Don't you know how hard it is to heal?
Don't you have any idea what it means?
Whatever they say is not only
Not the only way I know
Whatever they say is not always
Not the only way for me
Whatever they say is not only
Not the only way I know
Whatever they say is not always
Not the only way for me
Oh oh oh not the only way for me
Oh oh no no
The lyrics of Sublime with Rome's "Only" promise to bring a message of resilience in the face of struggles, as the band proclaims their determination to stand their ground in stormy weather. The song speaks of picking up the pieces that we dropped along the way, fighting our battles and rising and falling together, anything to forget the problems of yesterday. The message is loud and clear: whatever others say is not the only way, as we all just fight for our own reactions and coping mechanisms to deal with our wounds and battle scars.
The song seems to suggest that we shouldn't allow others to define us or dictate our actions, that the choices we make often require us to go against what others may say or expect from us. Finally, the lyrics touch upon the incredibly difficult process of recovery and healing, that it often feels like we are standing on our feet pushed hard to the ground, with little energy left for pushing forward.
Overall, "Only" is a powerful song that speaks to the human condition and resilience, how we find ways to pick up our pieces and keep moving forward despite overwhelming challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I stand my ground in stormy weather
I remain steadfast in the midst of difficult situations
We're pickin' up the pieces that we dropped along the way
We're attempting to mend past mistakes in hopes of moving forward
We rise and fight and fall together
We face challenges as a group and experience victories and defeats collectively
Anything to forget the problems of yesterday
We're willing to do whatever it takes to leave the past behind and move forward
Whatever they say is not only
I don't believe that other people's opinions are the only truth
Not the only way I know
There are multiple ways of looking at a situation
Whatever they say is not always
I'm aware that others' beliefs aren't universal truths
Not the only way for me
Everyone has their own perspective and journey in life
The sun will rise and fade your bruises
Time heals physical wounds, but emotional scars may linger
But it can never cleanse your body of the wounds and battle scars
Trauma can never truly be erased, only managed and healed
We all just fight for some reaction
We often seek validation or a response from others through our actions
But you get yours, and I'll get mine, and they'll get theirs
Everyone has their own journey and outcomes to their actions
They tell us to keep pushing on, on, on
Others may encourage us to keep going, no matter how difficult things may seem
I said we can't, we can't, we can't move much more forward
Sometimes it feels like further progress is unattainable
With our feet pushed hard to the ground-ound-ound
We're digging our heels in, doing our best to stay put and persevere
Don't you know how hard it is to heal?
Recovery can be a challenging and lengthy process
Don't you have any idea what it means?
Maybe others don't understand the depths of our struggles
Oh oh oh not the only way for me
I believe in having an open mind to different perspectives
Oh oh no no
A sense of defeat or resignation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUD GRAUGH, ERIC WILSON, ROMAN RAMIREZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind