Sublime - Santeria (Lyrics)

I don't practice Santeria

I ain't got no crystal ball

Well I had a million dollars but I, I'd spend it all

If I could find that heina and that Sancho that she'd found

Well I'd pop a cap in sancho and I'd slap her down

What I really wanna know (my baby)

What I really wanna say, I can't define

Well it's love that I neeeeeed

My soul will have to

Wait till I get back

Find a heina of my own

Daddy's gonna love one and all

I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break

And I gotta live it out

Oh yeah un-huh

Well I swear that I

What I really wanna know (my baby)

What I really wanna say, I can't define

Got love! Make it go

My soul will have to...

What I really wanna say (my baby)

What I really wanna say, is I've got mine

And I'll make it

Yes, I'm going up

Tell Sanchito that if he knows what is good for him

He best go run and hide

Daddy's got a new .45

And I won't think twice

To stick that barrel straight down sancho's throat

Believe me when I say that I got something for his punk-ass

What I really wanna know (my baby)

What I really wanna say, is there's just one way back

And I'll make it

My soul will have to wait

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Santeria is one of my favorite songs of all time and probably Sublime's most popular song.

It was released in 1996, short after Bradley Nowell, the band's lead singer, song writer and guitarist, died from an overdose of heroin in the age of 28.

When listening to the song and following the lyrics, it seems like the song was written about a guy that his girlfriend is cheating on him. The guy says he is not doing any black magic (santeria, crystal ball) so he could not see this coming. Heina means one's girlfriend in Spanish and Sancho is known in Mexico as the guy that your woman is cheating with. Lines like "I'd pop a cap in sancho and I'd slap her down" and "Daddy's got a new .45. And I won't think twice To stick that barrel straight down sancho's throat" Indicate the guy's will for revenge.

It seems like a straightforward lyrics, but is that so?

When listening to Brad's voice in this song, you can feel the emotions behind the mic. There must be more to this song than what is clear to the eye (or ear)...

There is another interpretation to this song. One that i strongly agree with.

This whole song is a metaphor. Heina is actually Bradley's soul that met Sancho=Heroin, and Baby is Bradley's son. Bradley who was addicted to heroin, wrote this song for his son. "What I really wanna know (my baby) What I really wanna say, I can't define" And he is saying he needs his son's loving in order for him to quit heroin. "Well it's love that I neeeeeed" He knows that he needs to fight his addiction and find his way back, so he can be there for his son. I think that the last paragraph summarize it all: "What I really wanna say, is there's just one way back And I'll make it My soul will have to wait"

I do think that this is the true meaning behind the lyrics, which makes this song so powerful!!

Too bad that even though he knew Heroin is going to kill him, he could not escape.

You can watch a video of this song with the lyrics:

What do you think about this song and its lyrics ? Please share your thoughts :)