The 30 Best Sublime Songs, from 40oz. to Freedom to Santeria

What is Sublime's most famous song?

"Santeria" and "What I Got" are Sublime's most famous songs. "What I Got" went to number one on Billboard's Modern Rock chart in 1996, and "Santeria" has become one of the most played songs of 90s rock radio. "Doin' Time", "Wrong Way", "Badfish" and "Date Rape" complete their best-known songs.

Sublime's biggest songs

1. "Santeria", 1996: a laid-back, Spanish-flavored story song about jealousy and revenge.
2. "What I Got", 1996: their number one Modern Rock hit and the lead single from Sublime.
3. "Doin' Time", 1997: a hazy, summery single built on a sample of George Gershwin's "Summertime".
4. "Wrong Way", 1996: an upbeat ska story song with horns.
5. "Badfish", 1992: a gentle reggae song from 40oz. to Freedom that fans treat as an anthem.
6. "Date Rape", 1992: the ska-punk cautionary tale that KROQ played heavily and that first broke the band.
7. "April 29, 1992 (Miami)", 1996: a raw song about the Los Angeles riots.
8. "Smoke Two Joints", 1992: their famous cover of the song by The Toyes.
9. "Garden Grove", 1996: the hazy opener of their self-titled album.
10. "Caress Me Down", 1996: a bilingual dancehall-flavored track.

Songs from 40oz. to Freedom (1992)

Their debut album was released on the band's own Skunk Records label and sold more than 200,000 copies before they had a major-label hit, largely through word of mouth and local radio.

11. "40oz. to Freedom", 1992: the relaxed reggae title track.
12. "Don't Push", 1992: an early fan favorite.
13. "Waiting for My Ruca", 1992: a laid-back love song.
14. "Scarlet Begonias", 1992: their reggae take on the Grateful Dead song.
15. "54-46 That's My Number", 1992: a cover of the Toots and the Maytals classic.
16. "Rivers of Babylon", 1992: their version of the reggae standard by The Melodians.
17. "Ball and Chain", 1992: another highlight of the debut.

Songs from Robbin' the Hood (1994)

Their second album was a rough, experimental record, and it sold poorly at the time, but it holds several fan favorites.

18. "Saw Red", 1994: a duet with Gwen Stefani of No Doubt.
19. "Pool Shark", 1994: a short, stark acoustic song.
20. "Greatest Hits", 1994: a catchy, laid-back highlight.
21. "Boss DJ", 1994: a reggae highlight.

Songs from Sublime (1996)

The band's third album came out two months after Bradley Nowell's death, peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and went on to become one of the best-selling albums of the decade.

22. "Same in the End", 1996: a fast punk track.
23. "Seed", 1996: a short, frantic punk song.
24. "Jailhouse", 1996: a laid-back reggae groove.
25. "Pawn Shop", 1996: a long, slow reggae jam.
26. "Paddle Out", 1996: a quick blast of surf punk.
27. "Burritos", 1996: a playful, catchy deep cut.
28. "Under My Voodoo", 1996: a bluesy ska groove.
29. "Get Ready", 1996: a breezy closing-side highlight.

The new era

30. "Ensenada", 2026: the lead single from Until the Sun Explodes, the first Sublime album with Jakob Nowell.

Who are Sublime?

Sublime formed in Long Beach, California, in 1988 with Bradley Nowell on vocals and guitar, Eric Wilson on bass and Bud Gaugh on drums, and they played their first show on July 4, 1988, in Belmont Shore. They built a following at backyard parties, beach towns and clubs across Southern California, mixing ska, punk, reggae, dub and hip-hop with a loose, joyful energy. Nowell's dalmatian, Lou Dog, became the band's mascot and often wandered the stage during concerts.

Bradley Nowell and the self-titled album

Just as Sublime signed to a major label and recorded the album that would make them stars, Bradley Nowell died of a heroin overdose in a San Francisco motel on May 25, 1996, at the age of 28. The band broke up, and the self-titled album came out that July. Fueled by "What I Got", "Santeria", "Wrong Way" and "Doin' Time", it became a massive multi-platinum success and is still a staple of rock radio. If someone you love is struggling with addiction, see our songs about addiction, which also lists where to find help.

The story behind Santeria

"Santeria" was released as a single in 1997, after Nowell's death, and became one of the band's two signature songs. Its title refers to the Afro-Caribbean religion, but the song itself is a story about a man brooding over the woman who left him and the rival who took her, sung over a relaxed reggae groove. That mix of dark subject matter and sunny sound is classic Sublime, and it has made "Santeria" a favorite for bar bands, acoustic covers and late-night singalongs ever since.

Sublime's sound and influences

Nowell grew up on Jamaican ska, reggae and dub as much as Southern California punk, and he loved hip-hop's sampling and toasting. Sublime's covers show the range: their debut alone includes the Grateful Dead's "Scarlet Begonias", Toots and the Maytals' "54-46 That's My Number", The Melodians' "Rivers of Babylon" and The Toyes' "Smoke Two Joints". That blend shaped a whole wave of reggae-rock bands that followed, from Slightly Stoopid, whom Nowell signed to Skunk Records, to Rebelution and Stick Figure.

Sublime songs for karaoke

"What I Got" and "Santeria" are the easiest Sublime songs to sing with a crowd, and "Wrong Way" is fun if you can keep up with the verses. "Smoke Two Joints" and "Date Rape" are crowd-pleasers that get the whole room joining in. For more, see our best karaoke songs.

Sublime with Rome and the reunion

In 2009, Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh formed a new lineup with singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez, which performed as Sublime with Rome after a court ruling kept them from using the Sublime name alone. In 2023, Wilson and Gaugh reunited with Bradley's son, Jakob Nowell, who became a full-time member in 2024. The new lineup released "Feel Like That" with Stick Figure in 2024 and the album Until the Sun Explodes in June 2026.

Sublime songs for summer, the beach or a road trip

For a beach day or a backyard barbecue, play "Santeria", "What I Got", "Doin' Time", "Jailhouse" and "Garden Grove". For a road trip down the coast, add "Wrong Way", "40oz. to Freedom" and "Caress Me Down", and end the day with "Badfish" as the sun goes down over the water. For more, see our songs about summer and road trip songs.

Sublime songs for a wedding or a celebration of life

For a relaxed beach wedding, "Badfish" and "Waiting for My Ruca" are sweet picks, and "What I Got" works for the dance floor. For a celebration of life for a Sublime fan, families often choose "Badfish" or "What I Got" for a slideshow. For more, see our celebration of life songs.

A song with their own summer vibe

Sublime's songs feel like long summer days with friends. A personalized song can capture that feeling for someone you love: their name, your best memories together and the places that matter to you both. It makes a great birthday, anniversary or best friend gift.

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