Jailhouse

Album: Sublime (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a cover of a Bob Marley song. The original was recorded in 1965 and can be found on the album Wailing Wailers at Studio One, Vol. 2. Jamaican music was a big influence on Sublime.
  • "Rudy," who is mentioned in the song, is just a shorter version of "rude boy." This was taken from another Bob Marley song, "Rude Boy," which can be found on the same album.

Comments: 6

  • Hugo Bre from MaCLassic. The sheep came home, ....from the castles made of sand. The 2am vibe, 3 up, 4 bagels, 5 water, SUNRISE, New England Surf---
    surfs up. solid tunes with vibe. The Vibe is right. 1
  • Wendie from Houston, TxRudy is referring to rude boys which were the rebels that influenced change of the popular genre ska to reggae, in Jamaica. So most reggae artists that say Rudy are talking about those kids.
  • Brad from Columbus, OhThis is also a (partial) cover of Tenor Saw's song "Roll Call". If you like reggae and never heard his stuff...check him out.
  • Amanda from Manchester, NhThis song makes me think about how much bigger they could have been if Bradley hadn't died. At least Bud and Eric formed Long Beach Dub All-Stars. My favorite line of the song is 'Oh Bud Gaugh will be singin there And Eric Wilson will be bangin' up there, yeah Oh, and we'll be all singin'
    It definately reminds me of them singing at a party and just having a ball.
  • Scott from Canton, OhHow come more people do not comment on Sublime songs? They are full of hidden meanings and messages, and besides Sublime is a great band. Jailhouse is a great party song, like any other Sublime mixes.
  • Torey from Santa Fe, NmSublime also mentions Rudy in the song "D.J.'s" , where they cover a part of the hit rocksteady/ska song "A message to you, Rudie" (Rudie is the the original spelling) by The Specials, off their 1967 self-titled album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"