Doin' Time Lyrics – Time Sublime

• Genre: Reggae rock, ska punk
• Lyricist: Bradley Nowell, Bud Gaugh, Eric Wilson
• Composers: Bradley Nowell, Bud Gaugh, Eric Wilson
• Band: Sublime
• Album: Sublime (1996)
• Featured Artist: Ras MG (Marshall Goodman)
• Notable Fact: Incorporates a sample from George Gershwin’s "Summertime"

Artist Info:

Sublime was an American band hailing from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. It featured Bradley Nowell on vocals and guitar, Eric Wilson on bass, and Bud Gaugh on drums. Sublime became known for being able to combine reggae, punk, and ska, thus genre-ing them as a band that people adore to love. Their self-titled album Sublime was released in 1996 and literally proved to be their most commercially successful album. Its vocalist, Bradley Nowell, unfortunately perished over an overdose of heroin, indeed a shock as it took place only a month before the release of their third album. Surprisingly, Sublime's music has such a wide-ranging catalogue and has influenced so many other bands. Most people shall realize that the most popular issues in their songs entail aspects of love, hardship, and social issues which reflect a Southern Californian background and diversified musical tastes.

Annotations and Meaning:

Literal Interpretation: The opening of George Gershwin's "Summertime" quickly establishes the tone for the entire piece. Bradley Nowell on the mic with Ras MG; engaging and danceable. Long Beach, California, is exactly what they say.

Me and my girl we got this relationship I love her so bad but she treats me like sh*t

These lines prove it is a troubled relationship in which the protagonist laments being unappreciated and despite all the neglect, he still loves and has emotional pain.

On lockdown like a penitentiary She spreads her lovin' all over And when she gets home there’s none left for me

This metaphor appears to represent feeling stuck in the relationship, akin to being in jail. Her love, on the other hand, is barely visible amid the many others, leaving him in the shadows. Thematic Interpretation: The upbeat summer vibe contrasts sharply with the protagonist's mental agony, creating a striking representation of the two extreme emotions. The most frequently repeated sentence, "Summertime and the living's easy," does not correspond to the other lines that describe personal issues.

Oh take this veil from off my eyes My burning sun will some day rise

In the first two lines, there are requests for light and a bright future. "Veil" here indicates ignorance or refusal, and "burning sun" is interpreted to mean enlightenment or a solution.

Evil I've come to tell you that she's evil most definitely Evil Ornery scandalous and evil most definitely

The use of this repetition of "evil" stamps upon the protagonist's mind the point of view of his partner's behavior as deep frustration and entrapment in disillusionment with her actions.

Conclusion:

"Doin' Time" by Sublime combines an extremely laid-back vibe with the high-octane, passion-filled vibes of a torrid, crazy-in-love relationship. Themes of love, betrayal, and the fight for emotional clarity are all encapsulated in this song. It's one of the better songs actually to come out of the documentation on Sublime; it's oddly poised for a catchy beat and some sad lyrics.