In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Down there at the pawn shop it's only way to shop
Down there at the pawn shop if it's not in stone
Down there at the pawn shop at no end, no way to shop
Down there at the pawn shop, what has been told
Albino made of stone, just remember that it's flesh and bone
So, why I'm down here at the pawn shop
Down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop
What has been sold, not strictly made of stone
Just remember that it's flesh and bone
And I have heard, like dike-a-bird yeah
But just remember that it's flesh and bone
So why I'm down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop
Go! Right! Huh that's right
Down here at the pawn shop it's a nifty way to shop
Down here at the pawn shop it's another sold
Down here at the pawn shop it's something if you never shop
Down here at the pawn shop
What has been sold, not strictly made of stone
Just remember it's flesh and bone
What has been sold, not strictly sold please remember that it's flesh and bone
Down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop
Down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop-yop-yop
Hu ooh go! See
Down there at the pawn shop if it's not in stone
Down there at the pawn shop at no end, no way to shop
Down there at the pawn shop, what has been told
Albino made of stone, just remember that it's flesh and bone
So, why I'm down here at the pawn shop
Down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop
What has been sold, not strictly made of stone
Just remember that it's flesh and bone
And I have heard, like dike-a-bird yeah
But just remember that it's flesh and bone
So why I'm down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop
Go! Right! Huh that's right
Down here at the pawn shop it's a nifty way to shop
Down here at the pawn shop it's another sold
Down here at the pawn shop it's something if you never shop
Down here at the pawn shop
What has been sold, not strictly made of stone
Just remember it's flesh and bone
What has been sold, not strictly sold please remember that it's flesh and bone
Down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop
Down here at the pawn shop, down here at the pawn shop-yop-yop
Hu ooh go! See
Lyrics submitted by The Big Andowski
Pawn Shop Lyrics as written by Eric Wilson Bradley Nowell
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this has nothing to do with drugs or whores...
he's saying that when you go to a pawn shop, yeah theres alotta stuff you can by for cheap, and its a good deal, but you have to realize that the people that sold this stuff for money did it for a reason. the things you are buying are not just "stone" or material objects but are part of peoples lives. someone who needed money bad enough had to sell something of their own, and you are basically buying part of their life. hes just saying dont take that for granted. your getting a deal for someone elses suffering.
Well, for those of you that don't know anything about drug culture, there are lots of people addicted to really expensive drugs. Seeing as to how 99% of our population is not wealthy by any means, obtaining these drugs is a hard thing to do... Lots of junkies (not used as an insult) sell of stolen shit to pawn shops (Even their own shit) for drug money. My uncle stole my TV set to pawn it for crack. I love my uncle and my uncle loves me, but he's got a serious addiction. He's selling his life for dope at a pawn shop. IT could easily be about something relating to that.
Look genius The song is about going to the Pawn shop and selling your shit for drug money. Bradley would regularly in fact sell his and his bandmates equipment for drug money. Not strictly made of stone refers to when Miguel would go and buy it back right before a gig. And if you don't know who Miguel is well then shit I can't help you.
Id say Bradley had a split meaning to this song, Badfish you cant just assume that that is the definate meaning, unless you have solid proof (if you do than my mistake)
It now reminds me of the visual created in Requiem in the very first scene. Brad's story is too sad for me to think about; Sublime is one of my favorite bands, and certainly one of my most mourned.
badfish is right brad used to sell his guitar and the bands shit to a pawn shop, and buy smack, pills, weed, and of course alchohol. Someone would always have to come up with instruments
I love this song. It's has to be one of my favorites. My friend lacy doesn't like it because it has too much playing on the guitar and not enough singing. I asked her "was jimi hendrix all about singing. it was his guitar talents that sky rocketed him to his current status." I really hope all of you guys can come to an agreement. I'm pretty sure brad wouldn't want anybody to fight over what his music was about. R.I.P. brad and jimi.
I always thought it was about shoping at the Pawn Shop, where prices are cheap, but what you buy may have had blood spilled on it. What I mean is that "Not strictly made of stone, please remember that it's flesh and bone" means that the watches and rings in the pawn shop were probably pawned by muggers and theifs. Just a thought.
Pawn shop... "what has been sold, not stirctly made of stone, just remember that its flesh and bone" What Brad is saying is that everything at a pawn shop was part of someone's heart and soul. It's a last resort to pawn something valuable to you. Buyers just see "discounted" and "used" items to purchase at a small price, but those items were someone's pride. For ex: Selling an heirloom for drug money It kills you to sell it, but you feel to have no other choice.
(Been there, done that. I can identify, and this is my favorite Sublime song. Short and to the point, yet holds so much meaning)
the original is called 'War Deh Round A John Shop' by the Wailing Souls. 'Pawn Shop' is a loose cover of the song; same melody, different lyrics. The song was written because Of Bradley's heroin addiction. He would sell his guitars at the local pawn shop for money to buy heroin, and Miguel would have to repeatedly go and buy them back.
thanks underthegun897 for dropping some knowledge. I just heard 'War Deh Round A John Shop' on Pandora, pretty dope song. as soon as I heard it I knew that was the basis for Pawn Shop.