There's no denying that Sublime is one of the most influential bands of all time. Their lyrics along with their simple yet effective melodies draw the audience not only into the song, but also into an experience that is "sublime." OK, corny...but you get where I'm going with this.
Their music has influenced millions of people around the world and their personality has shaped the face of music as we know it. If you were a kid growing up in the 90's and you didn't know who Sublime was, chances are you were getting beat up behind the faculty parking lot after school.
I am personally a big fan of the band, but the question I am constantly debating with friends during our irresponsible weekends together are "what are the best Sublime songs of all time?"
To be honest, I am usually at my best to argue any topic during my periods of "enlightenment" (as I like to call them), but this particular question always seems to stir the pot and last for hours on end. I listen to all their songs, in any order, for any occasion. But this one question in particular really got me thinking.
So, here's what I came up with...
1. Date Rape
If you can believe it, when the band first wrote this they thought it was one of their worst songs. It's a hysterical song with a great flow to it, and takes you on a trip with a man whose sole purpose it to pick up women with a little help from his magic pill, and take advantage of them. Ironically, the song ends with the culprit being sent to prison and being raped repeatedly by a larger inmate. Good stuff. A little game I like to play is singing every lyric in public and screaming, "She lies that little S--T!" in public. How's that for socially acceptable!
2. Wrong Way
"Wrong Way" is about Annie, a 14-year-old prostitute that the lead singer met and fell in love with. In the song, he offers to take her away from that lifestyle and give her a better life because she was being pimped by her father. She inevitably goes with him, but in the end she keeps to her old ways and leaves, despite it being the wrong way. The upbeat tempo and intricate bass line kinda make it sound a little like "Roxanne" by The Police.
3. Summertime (Doin Time)
There are a few versions of this song. The first one comes from the "Everything Under The Sun" album, which is a great song to chill and relax to. But hands down, the best version is the Uptown Dub version from the "Secondhand Smoke" album. It's a bit more upbeat than the original, but the sax shreds the sh** out of it! A must listen to.
