Lana Del Rey the sultry musician released a cover of Sublime’s “Doin’ Time,” which is translated into an abrupt 180 of the original. She transforms the lyrics into her own rendition of soft and elusive, adding a sprinkle of that golden magic of the California coast. Sublime’s Bud Gaugh said, “We are so excited to be collaborating with Lana on this. The smoky, sexy, and iconic sound of her voice breathes new life into one of our favorite singles.”

The song includes Del Rey’s lyrics, “Me and my girl have this relationship. I love her so bad but she treats me like shit. She spreads her lovin’ all over and when she gets home there’s none left for me. Summer time where the living’s easy.” According to an article from Pitchfork, “Del Rey’s hazy version of “Doin’ Time” will most likely remain a small treat in her discography, perfect for soundtracking barbecues all summer, but its low calorie count shouldn’t dissuade you from enjoying the song’s simple pleasures.”

Troy Dendekker, Nowell’s widow, noted, “Lana’s cover of ‘Doin’ Time’ is magical and haunting. What an honor to have her talent complement the Sublime legacy.” A documentary about Sublime just premiered at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival in April and was directed by Oscar-winner Bill Guttentag. The film is about how they  fused reggae, punk, ska, dub, and hip-hip into a genre-defying new sound that electrified diverse audiences and airways in the mid-1990s. The film charts their meteoric rise, tragic end, and lasting legacy.

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— Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) May 14, 2019

If you were lucky enough to experience the original sound of “Doin Time” in the 90’s you might raise an eyebrow at Lana Del Rey’s cover. However, it’s best to allow some flexibility in your judgment as the sound is completely different, a nice feel but totally different. Nobody can match Bradley’s spin on the original, especially if you’re a die hard Sublime fan.

However, Del Rey is a major fan of Sublime and pays tribute to the band and their iconic role in music. The original Sublime song has received 12.5 million views on youtube.com and Del Rey has amassed more than 1 million page views in less than one day. The original “Doin Time” arrived fresh on the airwaves, during a time that was electric and intense in Southern California, post Rodney King riots and other tensions. Their songs about love, life, pain and more strike a chord in the hearts of so many. Although, it is quite nice to get a new take on something so perfect and Del Rey does an awesome job in captivating ears with something special.

Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna