Clint Eastwood

Album: Gorillaz (2001)
Charted: 4 57
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Songfacts®:

  • This song is named after the famous Western movie actor. The theme from Eastwood's movie The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly can be heard periodically throughout the song. Eastwood is most famously known for his portrayal of a western character with no name in Sergio Leone Italian westerns of the late '60s. He played Dirty Harry Callahan in the movies Sudden Impact and The Dead Pool, and was the Mayor of Carmel, California in the '80s. Eastwood is also a huge fan and supporter of jazz, and is a somewhat accomplished self-taught jazz pianist.
  • The reason the song is called Clint Eastwood is because of the strange harmonica-like instrument used in the background, which is called a melodica. It is a keyboard instrument that is played by blowing through a tube and pressing its keys. Damon Albarn of Gorillaz plays it throughout the track, and he thought it sounded a lot like the score to the Clint Eastwood's movie A Fistful of Dollars.

    Also, Clint Eastwood is the name of a Jamaican reggae artist who the band heard about when they were recording the album in Jamaica. Albarn explained during a Reddit AMA: "We were recording in Jamaica and listening to a lot of dancehall music and we imagined a cool moniker to have would be Clint Eastwood. Also I'm a great fan of the actor and of Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone."
  • The "Laika Come Home" remix of this song is called "A Fistful of Peanuts." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Gina - Reston, VA, for above 2
  • The basic rhythm track was based on a preset on an Omnichord, which is a small instrument with a keyboard and slider played on the lap. A band called The High Fidelity used the same preset on their track "Pig Might Fly" in 2001.

    Albarn recalled to Vulture in a 2020 interview: "It came from switching on the Suzuki Omnichord and the first preset was the beat. That can only happen once: [you take an] electronic instrument and the first thing you play you use, and it becomes a massive hit.

    As a result of that, in the proceeding 20 years I've bought a lot of electronic instruments hoping that that eventually would happen again. I mean, maybe we just peaked early!"
  • The music video introduced most of the world to the four animated band members of Gorillaz (2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, Russel). The real mastermind behind the music is Blur frontman Damon Albarn. The characters were created by comic illustrator Jamie Hewlett.
  • Albarn sang the chorus. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien rapped the verses.
  • The line, " I got sunshine in a bag" is probably a reference to marijuana, or at least to contraband of some sort. The line comes from the movie The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly when Eastwood refers to a saddlebag full of gold as sunshine in a bag.
  • Seven million global sales of the Gorillaz album earned the group an entry in The Guinness Book of Records as the world's most successful virtual band.
  • This garnered the band three MTV Video Music Award nominations, so Gorillaz created an animated acceptance speech to continue the theme of cartoon band members. Unfortunately, they spent tens of thousands of dollars on a speech they never used, because they lost in all three categories.

Comments: 124

  • Alex from TexasI believe The Gorillaz intentionally didnt do interviews for this song so that way it would provoke thought and make other people see it in different perspectives and gather some sort of truth it’s supposed to be a provocative song but its ok if you only see it as just a cool song i guess

    Its commentary about 2D who only knows one thing sunshine in a bag clearly its drugs because its what makes him happy only temporary there is no pause in the song until the end where he stops singing

    Not only that but we have someone who appears to be either the devil or god throughout the song we see both materialism and creation this guy is the judge jury and executioner

    In the music video the gorillaz are powerless to stop this guy hes not trying to kill them but toy with them and provoke thought
    The line : you think it's fictional? Mystical? Maybe
    Spiritual hero who appears on you to clear your view
    When you're too crazy
    he isnt talking to us the audience or christians but literally in the music video we see him talking to 2D he challenges what he says about his future coming on
    Then shortly after he does talk to christians and everyone else we get the good the bad and the ugly which is why its named clint eastwood

    If the gorillas were interviewed they’d likely say its just supposed to be a fun song because it is but its also something to chew on the gorillaz clearly arent theologists or philosophers theyre just a band
  • Sarah from IllinoisFor 20 years this song has been a link between my husband and I. We met as teenagers and after a very brief relationship, we became best friends and we remain that way. I have always heard this song sung in his voice and was shocked to find out that the version I have stuck in my head actually doesn't whisper "that it's all in ur head at the end but I have always heard Tony whisper that part. Recently in the past few years, I have begun being vocal about the fact that I am part of a system. Tony could tell and when he asked me one day whose voice was that I realized that I hadn't actually ever told him. Honestly I haven't told very many people in my life. These last five years have been a life-changing time for me. After a complete physical and mental crash I have been building up from ground zero with the help of Tony and a couple of other friends. About 3 years ago, Tony prayed for me that whatever was going to help me grow and become whole as a person please let us know. And immediately one of our others who has been had been locked up and repressed for the majority of our lives immediately comes to the surface and "fronts" they call it. After he freaked out and thought that Tony was going to eat him or something because he knew that he wasn't supposed to be out, and we all freaked out because he wasn't supposed to be out, we started getting down to the bear basics of figuring out actually how JD was repressed in the first place. This song now I have decided really expresses JD in a big way, and this song is now his. "I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad I got Sunshine in a bag. For a long time I had JD's existence wrong in my head and had him in the place of who I call my liar. My liar would be like most people refer to the voice in their head that tells them that they're worthless and that nobody wants them and stuff that really will pay on all of my triggers. So JD really doesn't know how to feel in a big way. He's got Sunshine in a bag he can pull it out when he needs it but he's just now starting to understand what it's all about. I'm useless but not for long the future is coming on, he spent the majority of our lives locked up in a brick in his room and that line really pegs in on how I feel about him where he wasn't allowed to be actively involved but when the time was right there is. Finally someone let me out of my cage time for me is nothing cuz I'm counting no age. That prayer released him from his cage inside and all of a sudden he was out and active and that's just what it was. As far as any of us remember JD has always been an old man and being locked up in a brick for 35 years I would think that time would mean nothing at that point. Now I couldn't be there now you shouldn't be scared. He couldn't be there for us when we were growing up and kind of being tortured through a lot of things it wasn't his time. But now I have nothing to be scared of because he's good at repairs and he's under each snare. He has performed massive damage control over these last few years and he is very alert to things that we need to be aware of as far as letting vibrations and that don't have any business there. Intangible that you didn't think so I command you to. He is technically intangible we all are really, panoramic view look I'll make it all manageable. Now we see the big picture completely. And JD does help to break things down into manageable bites. Pick and choose sit and lose all you different Crews. Chicks and dudes who you think is really kicking tunes? Over the years it's been a whole lot of observation with people and figuring out who really is in tune and seeing with their inner eye, who is really systems and not just talking about the demons in their head. It's been massively important and crucial to my paranoia. You think it's fictional? Mystical? Maybe spiritual hero who appears on you to clear your view when you're too crazy. This I feel is speaking to the Bible thumping Christians. Sorry, I don't mean to offend, but it is part of my faith but things like systems and feeling vibrations and really seeing people's interest and how things really are tend to be looked down upon by people of religion. They can't fathom that we can be the way we are but they can accept very wild beliefs with honestly no proof. They be hypocritical a lot in my opinion. Life list to those the definition for what life is. People look at other people who have systems as being schizophrenic completely and that these others are just made up. The essence, the basics without it did you make it? I feel like that speaks to me and without having his basics his essence it kind of says but did you die? Which is a funny line between me and a lot of people. Rhythm you have it or you don't that's a fallacy I'm in them every sprouting tree every child at peace every cloud and see you see with your eyes I have always felt the energies and the flow of vibrations from everything around me. I have been open-minded to pretty much everything my entire life. But on the other side of it I see the destruction the demise and corruption I see people's inners that are actually extremely scary and dark. So I'm a stick around with Russ and be a mentor bust a few rhymes so m************ remember where the thought is I brought all this so you can survive when law is lawless feelings sensations that you thought was dead no squealing and remember that is all in your head. JD is sticking around and he is being a wonderful help and he is finding himself and his own inner peace which is really helping the whole of us to be at peace too and we have a tendency we were raised on all mouth and sarcasm and we definitely have made our statements in life but JD has really been an inspiration for a whole lot of speaking for what I stand for I'm starting to become more aware of my physical self more of the time instead of dissociating and with JD coming in there has been a massive turnover of sensations and feelings that I did think had been dead for very long time the no squealing and remember that is all in your head that is a combination between JD Tony and my squeaking. Which is kind of an inside joke and Tony is Big Time responsible for. But I feel like it's a funny pun on well they are in my head and that is where they live. And he's been there all the time I just couldn't feel his absence or his presence. This song has come to me in a lot to me and my journey in becoming more united as a whole between all of us. I'm not sure if this relates to anybody else but I hope by telling my story that someone feels a little more secure in just letting themselves be who they are.
  • Openmindedcriticalthinker from Sioux Falls, Sd"Observe reality yourself and act accordingly..." --Sceptic
    Why so quick to belittle people by calling them ignorant and brainwashed? Perhaps they did just as you yourself instructed: observed reality for themselves, then acted accordingly, because that's what they observed. I would argue that you are the ignorant, brainwashed one. If one observes reality for themselves, they will notice they don't see the horizon curving, they don't feel any sort of motion, and an actual real photograph of earth from space does not exist. But you, being ignorant and brainwashed yourself, will swallow anything Neil Degrasse Tyson or any other mainstream "scientist" tells you, with zero evidence. That is the epitome of ignorant and brainwashed, friend. Learn how to use your own brain before hurling insults at others, it makes you appear very unintelligent.
  • Sceptic from Oakland Ca, Usa (oak)These religious bible comments are the rantings of the brainwashed. The writings of a bunch of ignorant goat herds who thought the world was flat should not form your world view. Observe reality yourself and act accordingly. We are offered life for a brief time before our eternal components (matter) reform into new states of being. Use that time wisely, not chasing myths. Be well.
  • Michaelpdx from PdxI’m gonna spit some knowledge with all of you. And I have fact evidence to back me up. Please fact check me. When it comes to scripture never take what anyone says as truth always fact check yourself (and please read all the way through I’m not crazy I promise!)

    The song is dedicated to “Archangel Michael” in the judo-Christian faith you are all trained to wait for Christ 2nd coming which is very dangerous. Before Christ appears Michael has to stand for Gods people. But what exactly will Michael look like? And how the hell are the gorillas in the Bible? Let me blow your minds

    Ok so we are here waiting for Michael and from Daniel ch 12 (And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people:)

    Now at this time Israel was split into two due to king Solomons idolatry. So in the northern kingdom there were 10 tribes, southern kingdom there was 2 Judah, and Benjamin. Jesus was a Jew a Jew is someone from the tribe of Judah. So there’s the king to the southern kingdom. Jesus. And from Daniel ch 12 for the nothern kingdom were waiting for Michael. To reinstate my claim let’s look at the parable Jesus gave us

    Luke 15 11-32. Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.(A) 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’(B) So he divided his property(C) between them.

    13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth(D) in wild living.

    The man represents God. The 2 sons are the 2 messiahs. This son seems to be far from sinless, note it says he will be in a distant country (so Michael won’t come from Israel) and he squandered what he has in wild living (he’s probably gonna have a addiction of some sort)

    Now if we turn to Zechariah ch3 my claims are even more backed by scripture. In these verses we have “Joshua” which Jesus’s Hebrew name is Yeshua a straight Hebrew to English translation of his name is Joshua. And this Joshua is a high priest. Which from the book of Hebrews we know Jesus is our high priest. But notice he is standing BEFORE the angel of the lord meaning he will come first. But there a problem cause now we have the angel of the lord or Michael forgiving Joshuas sin!!??? Jesus is said to be sinless and blameless. It’s the church Michael is forgiving. He forgives the Christians for there Sunday worship eattiing pork, etc.... continue on the ch4 there’s another character named Zerubabbel which was a prophet in the Old Testament but he never finished what God asked him to do before his death. So this must be prophecy because ALL of the word must be fulfilled. And interestingly enough the name Zerubabbel means The child’s born in Babylon. Since Babylon is long gone it’s spiritual Babylon which is America. So now we know Michael will be born in America and have an addiction problem. So now we can turn to revelation to Michael’s appearance and see what we find.

    Revelation ch 14 1-3
    Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
    2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,
    3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders.

    We know Michael is the commander of Gods army and the 144000 is the end days army to rise up but look at verse 2 what they look like. They will be harpist playing on their harps (or musicians) and there singing a song before the throne. Who’s before the throne? The ONLY archangel named in scripture so there only once choice. It’s not Gabriel but Michael, Michael is the one who’s before the throne.
  • Pepper from JamaicaBased on rap line
    i can see is about antichrist
    And the future is coming
  • Shah from MalaysiaI believe this song is about the Antichrist. Or more specifically the Antichrist in Islam who is called the Dajjal. Muslims believe this Dajjal is a deceiver of mankind, who will come at the end of times, when humans are successfully brainwashed to become materialistic beings, and have renounced their consciousness of God. We believe he has been living for thousands of years. Although it does sound impossible, we really believe so because of the fact that he is a practitioner of black magic. He is said to be shackled on an island, and will one day make his grand appearance when the timing is right. It is said that his ability to deceive people is so great, that no matter how strong a believer you are, if you were to face him he would not fail to trick you. The only way to save yourself is to go as far you can and hide from him (and memorizing and reciting the first and last 10 verses of the 18th chapter in the Quran will help you do wonders) . "Finally someone let me out of my cage" and "time is nothing coz I'm counting no age". He will pose himself as Jesus at first, and then ultimately will make the ultimate lie by proclaiming himself as God. It's also said he will be extremely wealthy and able to make the sky rain and the earth grow vegetations. Then there's music and entertainment, that are well known to be some of the most favourite tools of trickster to sway people's hearts. "Now I couldn't be there, you shouldn't be scared, I'm good at repairs, and I'm under each snares". The chorus I believe perfectly portrays the situation of the Dajjal, who is chained somewhere on an island and therefore not happy, but he's glad that one day when the future comes he will no longer be useless and will bring his "bag of sunshine" to present to the human race. From my hypothesis, I think he will come after World War 3, when the world is in a state of chaos, and also in a state of godlessness. Look up Albert Pike's letter to Giuseppe Mazzini to know the details. The location of the island I believe is to be Hy-Brasil, although the island is said to be legendary. And lastly, in Islam we believe Jesus was born without a father, and that he is not God but a Prophet of God. The spirit of God was definitely blown into the womb of Mary. But as for the Antichrist, though there is no detailed explanation from where he came from, I think he may as well had been born without a father, and the spirit that lives inside of his soul is most probably the spirit of Lucifer. Thus his name, The Anti-Christ. You can check Babalon Working by Jack Parsons and Alister Crowley's Moonchild for reference. Ps: Just a side note, be careful not to go too deep into this otherwise it'll be dangerous. I always remind myself that There is no God but Allah and Allah is The Greatest. I just try not to lose myself into this weird research and also there's so much more I can elaborate on (each sentence in the lyrics to be honest) but I'm tired.
  • Orthodox Christian from Fort Lauderdale, Flhe says ''Lifeless for whose definition is for what life is
    , Priceless to you because I put ya on the hype shift, Did ya like it?'' he keeps everyone around drugged ''I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad, I got SUNSHINE in a BAG'' They need the drugs to have a sense of fake happyness. Not everyone can see the Demon (the root of their problems) only the characters who have eyes like Murdoc and noddles, Murdoc is tormented by the Gorillaz but Noddles easily defeats them.
  • Trill The Truth from Hillbrow It's fire baby
  • Giannis from GreeceCould this song be about adultness? Becoming 18 years old.

    First of all I want to say that I am one of those who don't like songs being only about drugs, I find it too narrow and Gorillaz are anything but narrow. Having said that, I do believe that perhaps this song (unfortunately) IS about drugs. However, I still like to believe that it can also be interpreted in many other ways, as it is art. I read the other comments and I find that as Jason from Usa very correctly said, most people here seem to be talking about themselves (art evokes truth from the observer), which is not bad, but it is kind of subjective/biased. I'm 29 - not 18, so I think I can safely try interpret it as being a song about adultness, coming of age, leaving school/family nest, going out in the world.

    "I ain't happy": I am not happy that I'm getting older - but "I'm feeling glad": Glad that I'm becoming 18 as in growing up, maturing
    "I got sunshine in a bag": Sunshine referring to the freedom of being an adult, being able to do anything you want - but the sunshine is "locked" away in a bag for now, the school bag that I'm carrying everyday
    "I'm useless" as I am not a fully functional and useful member of the society - I don't have a job/liabilities yet. Could refer also to my parents calling me useless as I don't bring money to the house yet
    "but not for long": I can't wait for this to happen - "the future is coming on"" I'm soon becoming 18

    Then we see the protagonist becoming suddenly larger in size, though it's only an illusion cause he is not 18 yet, but the big guy (the adult) is there and ready to come out:
    "Yeah, ha-ha Finally, someone let me out of my cage": I am clearly very happy I'm finally 18 - the cage is the family's nest/ all the society's restrictions when you are under age/the world oppressing you
    "Now time for me is nothing 'cause I'm counting no age": If this song is about adultness, then this is the biggest indicator. Time is everything when we are kids, and we are counting ages all the time, cause age matters when you are under 18. We are counting days for summer and school to end, we are counting ages with precision (I am 13 and a half, I am 17 soon-to-be 18 etc) and it all suddenly stops when we become 18, because it no longer matters, we are adults and we don't care
    "Now I couldn't be there Now you shouldn't be scared": Now I, the adult, couldn't be there, meaning that just one day ago I was 17, a kid, and now suddenly I'm all grown. Where was that big guy hiding? This is obviously kind of scary and a lot to handle, but you shouldn't be scared, you are man/woman now
    "I'm good at repairs And I'm under each snare": I'm still young and very adaptive, falling down, walking into traps of the adult world all the time, making mistakes and learning from them
    "Intangible": Being 18 and an adult makes no real physical difference on yourself, it is just a feeling that you have matured
    "Bet you didn't think so I command you to": When we are kids we don't really think/decide for ourselves, our parents buy us clothes/food, they choose which school we are going to - suddenly becoming adults at 18, and the society/the system still commands us, dictating we have to study/get a good job, behave or else (jail), watch the same Television, follow the same trends in fashion etc, vote for politicians the system feeds you, becoming sheep that don't think for themselves
    "Panoramic view Look, I'll make it all manageable": Now that we are adults we see the world in a much bigger perspective, it is not only about school and games. We have liabilities, kids of our own, problems that we must fix - having problems makes us more sensible to the rest of the world's problems that we now see more clearly (panoramic view) but don't worry, as adults we have to and will sort out (manage) all our problems
    "Pick and choose - Sit and lose": Now that you are an adult you have to make decisions (picks), choose paths, choose college/higher education, careers, your philosophy, how to handle your problems, because noone is going to do it for you. If you sit around doing nothing, you will lose the game (of life)

    "Child-like in nature": You are an adult now but in reality you are still a child
    "I see destruction and demise - Corruption in disguise - From this f--kin' enterprise - Now I'm sucked into your lies": Becoming adults means slowly losing purity and innocence, becoming corrupted from this f--king system/world, becoming liers, or perhaps referring to the false/ugly full of lies world of adults that we are now sucked into
    "So I'ma stick around with Russ' and be a mentor ... So you can survive when law is lawless: You may be 18, but in fact you still just a kid. That is why you have created this illusion (the big guy in the video), this false projection of your adult self, a "tough" guy. But you will keep this projection for now ("So I'ma stick around") in order to cope ("so you can survive") with the adult life, the jungle you are thrown in ("when law is lawless")
    "Feelings, sensations that you thought was dead - No squealing, remember that it's all in your head": Probably referring to the feeling of fear and the sensation of exploring something new, a whole new world, an adventure, which is awesome but scary too. When we are kids we are having this sensation all the time, and we are also sometimes scared, because we are little. At puberty and after, we stop being afraid, we think we are tough guys now, we try drugs and stuff and we think we have done it all, explored it all. But as we turn 18 and become adults, reality strikes. We realize we know s--t about life and that there is a whole new difficult world out there, which is scary ("Feelings, sensations that you thought was dead") However, being adults we must stay strong, not squeal like little brats and remember that it's all in our heads, we have the inner strength to deal with the demons (the zombie apes in the video) however little we are (hence the little Asian guy defeating the apes).

    I left out some lyrics because to be honest I couldn't interpret them to support this case. Which is why I think that this song probably talks about drugs after all (the drug case supports all the lyrics easily). However I do like to believe that the artists may have hidden that other meaning in their song :)
  • Jason from UsaLike all good art, it evokes truth from the observer. The comments suggest you are all talking about yourselves.
  • Zac from GeorgiaThey recently wrote another song called Sleeping Powder that is also specifically about DMT. It's not spelled out because the writer puts literary depth into his work, but it's extremely obvious to anyone with experience. That's the whole point of literary depth, it makes you realize it for yourself.
  • Zac from GeorgiaThe song is generally about the future of humanity but specifically is about the role of DMT, the world's most powerful psychedelic. Righteous with one toke
    Psychic among those
    Possess you in one go

    Toke means a hit of something you're smoking. That is not an interpretation, it is very clearly about you only needing one hit of dimethyltryptamine to interact with the spiritual, the mystical. Take a hit and listen to this song, I promise to God Del will come out and explain it personally.
  • Mark Wertz from Bellevue, NebraskaSo sad so many with such limited imaginations can only relate the song to what is obviously there own relationship with drugs. It can be about so many different things A-Z if you had an imagination and much real life experiences. I don't know the writer but if it is about his adventures good for him. Obviously not a burn out.
  • Alexander from Hollywood, FlI want to add that I in no way "want" this song to be about drugs as others have stated. My favorite band is Coheed and Cambria and NONE of their songs are about drugs. I just care that the content of a song has meaning. This one happens to fit in with drugs, and if you haven't ever tried a psychedelic maybe you can't see it for what it is I guess.
  • Alexander from Hollywood, FlThis song is about psychedelic drugs for sure. I'm sorry to anyone who can't see it. Not even because of the Sunshine In A Bag line. Listen to the rap.

    My case:

    1) Watch the start of the video. You think it's coincidence he repeats "Its comin on, its comin on" while the zombie apes and giant blue dude appear?

    2) "Panoramic view, look I'll make it all manageable" an obvious reference to the change in perspective you experience on psychedelics.

    3) "Spiritual, hero who appears in you to clear your view when you're too crazy" An obvious reference to the fact that with many natural psychedelics you experience entities or "helpers". Along with another reference to clearing your mind and gaining new perspective.

    4) "Psychic among those, possess you with one TOKE" Salvia and DMT are smokeable and even marijuana is a psychedelic or classed as one.

    5) "Ya'll can see me now cause you don't see with your eyes, you perceive with your mind thats the inner" Do I even need to explain this?

    No not EVERY line is about drugs but the song most obviously is.

  • Carl from Meridian, IdI think its funny that all you druggies want this song to be about drugs. The Clint Eastwood reference "I've got sunshine in a bag.", like many have pointed out refers to a bag of gold that he has hanging from his saddle as he rides off into the sunset inthe movie " The good, the bad and the ugly". I think Justin from St. Helens is probably closer to the truth.

    What I see from this song is that it is reminding us that we are what holds ourselves back. Don't let age stop you ("cos I'm counting no age"). Making mistakjes is ok, you can fix them ("I'm good at repairs"). Don't take a narrow view of things ("Panoramic view"). But don't sit around, make a decision ("Pick and choose Sit and lose"). Know the definition of life and you'll be on the right track. Life's not a game of good guy/bad guy, I take the line "Gunsmokin' righteous with one token" to reference video games where we manage law by shooting people western style aka Gunsmoke the ol' tv western.

    The second rap is a get back to nature understand what's around you. There's rhythm in everything. Sometimes our eyes fool us, so use your mind to help you with your perceptions. The future is bright and you are the one in control.
  • Colin from Moville, IaWow. You know, this is the reason I don't listen to the radio in my hometown. None of the stations play music like this. Most of it is mindless generic pop. If only they played stuff that wasn't all the same as every other song/made you think, then I would listen to them. Instead I have to listen to my mp3 player or internet radio. I don't listen to music with many words often, (I like dubstep, dnb, electro, techno, breakcore, etc.) but when I do, I listen to stuff like this.
  • Justin from St. Helen, MiLook at how the verses go


    I ain't happy but, I'm feeling glad
    I got sunshine, in a bag
    I'm useless, but not for long
    The future is coming on
    I am happy, I'm feeling glad
    I got sunshine, in a bag
    I'm useless, but not for long
    The future is coming on

    What do you see.....? COMMAS!! Its not That "I've got sushine in a bag"
    Now lets go up a verse and play connect the damn sentance
    "I am happy, I'm feeling glad
    I got sunshine, in a bag"Lets read it as if it was in dialog
    "I am happy, I'm feeling glad I got sunshine, in a bag "
    Now if we add the next verse this is what would get
    I am happy, I'm feeling glad I got sunshine, in a bag I'm useless, but not for long"


    Now look at in the sentance form and thats what you get, now lets finish the rest
    "I am happy, I'm feeling glad I got sunshine, in a bag I'm useless, but not for long the future is coming on"
    Its obviously about being oppressed, and once out of the opression your glad that you've got the sunshine also meaning freedom. In a bag I'm useless , is saying that being bagged up or being caged, you are useless, but not for long the future is coming on, you won't be useless in the future because once you got that sunshine and that freedom gives you the power of being able to do anything once you are free. It has anything to do with drugs, you are looking at it werong because you want it to be about drugs.
  • Tera from Sequim, WaBeing in recovery from methamphetamine addiction, I have to say I think the song seems to be talking about meth. A meth addict gets depressed (extreme lack of dopamine) when coming down (withdrawal). "Sunshine" could be a reference to the dopamine rush that causes euphoria when the drug is used. "Clint Eastwood" could be a reference to how the drug gives the user a temporary feeling of empowerment. It's not uncommon for users of this drug to experience grandiosity- feeling empowered, quick, energized, sharp, adept. When addicts don't have the drug they can't function. They sleep for days. You are incapacitated. "Useless, but not for long" may refer to the physical and mental state of the person as they anticipate coming out of withdrawal.
  • Peter from Albany, NyIs it not possible that there is some combination of truths in all your responses here? Great artists create with room for interpretation. Madonna, ( I believe) once said she didn't want to do videos as it steals from the listener the ability to create their own vision.
    If these guys are into drugs, is it not possible that that the non-drug analyses may also be accurate? I mean if it is about hitting a higher plane from mushrooms or others, that the other revelations did not also come true? Could the song be about the present moment as well as the recognition of what will come based on previous experiences?
    Pete, Albany, NY
  • Shane from Wooster, Oh"sunshine in a bag" refers to the chemical vitamin D which is found in both sunlight and psilocybin. therefor having a bag of mushrooms is like having sunshine in a bag. Del is well known for his unusual cadance style and his underground "trip hop" because of his stint with halucinogens. the line "the future is coming on" is also refering to the onset of mushrooms, in this case, or any other type of haluciongen. Del also released an album around this time with Dan the Automator under the psudonym Deltron 3030. It was a futuristic concept album, again very very trippy.
  • K from Nowhere, OnBeing one of those people who could never play an instrument, the melodica is really easy to learn by ear. I got Tomorrow Comes Today in less than a day, the second time I'd ever played a melodica. I'm teaching myself this one next.
  • Megan from Stevenson, AlThis was the first Gorillaz song I've ever heard and I immediately fell in love with it! The video is crazy, but it's awesome.
  • Sonny from Det, Miain't happy, I'm feeling glad" -
    hes not happy, but he has moments of feeling glad (temporary fixes either through drugs, materialism, nurturing self ego)
    "I got sunshine, in a bag" -
    sunshine is the reason we have life and creates life,- we all have this "sunshine" effect on the earth(co- creation of reality), within our bag (our mind or head)
    "I'm useless, but not for long"-
    after a spiritual awakening he is no longer going to be a useless being
    "The future is coming on" -
    the new way of thought is coming on--a new age.
  • Frank from West Palm Beach, FlYou all kinda had an idea but just couldnt hit the nail on the head he is obviously talking about DMT anyones whos been there knows I mean he gives it away through out the whole song the course im useless but not for long the future is comein on dmt lets you look into your inerself and see whats important to you and what direction you need to take yourself in also the when he says Picture you gettin' down in a picture tube
    Like you lit the fuse
    You think it's fictional
    Mystical? Maybe What appears in you is a clearer view cos you're too crazy To know the definition for what life is
    Priceless For you because I put you on the hype s--t
    You like it? Gunsmokin' righteous with one token
    Psychic among those. Possess you with one go one toke of dmt will change your entire world everything becomes alien and futureistic looking all hyped out its such a beautiful/scary experience truly is pricless afterwards your head is cleared and your euphoric mood leave you feeling the possibilites and potential for your future are endless shamans use dmt to tap into their mystic/psychic powers either smoked with kappi or made into an iowaska brew
  • Courtney from Coolidge, AzPersonally I think "Sunshine in a bag" refers to Sunshine tea. Which is also mentioned in Damon's song "A Rappy Song" from his solo album Democrazy. The lyric "drinking all the sunshine tea" can be heard. Damon has used lyrics/beats from this solo album a few times on Gorillaz songs, biggest example being "I need a gun" which was later used for "Dirty Harry" on Demon Days. Sunshine tea is supposed to help depression. "Feeling glad, I got Sunshine in a bag"..tea bag.. just an idea.
  • Kyle from Madison, WiThis song all boils down to one simple truth. If you realize how to control your subconscious mind you can accomplish anything.

    Example #1: Finally someone let me out of my cage.
    Now time for me is nothing 'cause I'm counting no age.
    No, I couldn't be there. No, you shouldn't be scared.
    I'm good at repairs and I'm under each snare.
    Intangible, bet you didn't think, so I command you to.
    Panoramic view, look I'll make it all manageable."

    The subconscious mind is intangible. There for time and age don't effect it. The subconscious mind is what runs all your involuntary bodily functions. Ie: Heart beat, repairs "healing wounds, broken bones etc." Next, if you take the time to learn about your subconscious mind you'll realize that your faith in it makes everything manageable.

    Example #2: The essence, the basics, without it, you make it.
    Allow me to make this childlike in nature.
    Rhythm, you have it or you don't, that's a fallacy.
    I'm in them, every sprouting tree, every child apiece,
    Every cloud at sea, you see with your eye.

    If you haven't realized it, your conscious mind is always the one getting in the way. It's how you psych yourself out in any given situation. It's like that feeling where you've practiced for something for hours and hours maybe even months to the point where you can do it in your sleep. Then when you finally go to do for show, you consciously think "What if I #(&% up?!, I'm gonna #(&$" up!" While your subconscious knows exactly what to do you gum it all up by consciously psyching yourself out. This part of the lyrics is saying that the subconscious is always there and knows what to do you just need to stop consciously thinking you can't do it.

    Example #3: Y'all can see me now 'cause you don't see with your eye.
    You perceive with your mind. That's the inner.
    So I'm-a stick around with Russ and be a mentor,
    Bust a few rhymes so motherf--kers remember
    Where the thought is. I brought all this
    So you can survive when law is lawless.
    Feelings, sensations that you thought was dead.
    No squealing, remember that it's all in your head.

    If it's not obvious for you by now, the last set of lyrics drives the point home for you. Like I say originally, your perceived thought process is how you view your reality.This means, you change your thought processes, you change your reality. This where you would be perceiving with your mind, the inner... as the lyrics suggest. Your faith in your subconscious mind will protect you and guide you in times of lawlessness and distress... which is a good thing given the state of the world today. The final part is the clincher though. Remember that it's all in your head. Your thoughts in your head control everything. How you think a situation will go down effects EVERYTHING you experience in a given situation. Don't believe me? Think about a time where because you thought of something, it turned out that way. Your subconscious mind has NO sense of humor. It takes your conscious thoughts literally and faithfully reproduces what you most sincerely believe.

    So, there you have it folks. I hope I've enlightened a few people today. If you're interested about really gaining control of your subconscious mind, google the book, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" by Joseph Murphy, and "Think and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill. Good luck!
  • Jourdon from Honolulu, HiLook this is for everyone who is criticizing the way some people think the song is about.
    The most noticed word that ive noticed in this chat is sunshine. It can mean many things. But he said he has a bag of it. "i got sunshine in a bag" this is obviously a reference to drugs. The only onces i can think of that could come in a baggy are the following. Shrooms, acid, weed, ecstasy, cocaine, and meth.
    People are saying to open up my mind to other thoughts of the song. I do drugs, therefor i feel that i can relate to this song because of the sayings that most drug users and sellers refer to as certain drugs. to me sunshine can mean cocaine or marijuana. that is my perception and i respect everyone elses.

    so please dont tell people to open their minds, and just try to accept their thoughts. They arent yours so who are you to criticize? thank you
  • Ryan from Anahola, HiThe lyrics "Sunshine in a Bag" are also a reference to their song, "Sunshine in a Bag".
  • Ryan from Anahola, HiThe lyrics "Sunshine in a Bog" are also a reference to their song, "Sunshine in a Bag".
  • Dave from Alberta, Ab"Sunshine in a bag" refers to part of a Clint east wood movie where Clint Eastwood rides into the Sunset with a bag of money which they then say (in the song kinda) he will spend in the bear future to make his life better"I'm useless but not for long my future is coming on"
    (not every song is about drugs)
  • Andrew from Montreal, QcMatt, Thatplace, TX makes a strong point and made me believe that hwat he sais is true. I stil think that. In fact, there are probably other true interpretations posted. After all, many artists who put deep thought behind their lyrics, sounds, and visuals, try creating them so that anyone/everyone can take what it is they see in it. It's up to everyone individually to take what they want from songs. However, this defends the point Matt made, "People who take acid tend to see hidden meanings in everything. They see past just what their eyes see; they see with their mind, their soul (the inner)." Anyways, you should take whatever it is you want from what I've said. - Andy
  • James from Colorado Springs, CoAnyone who thinks that the rapper (Del tha Funky Homosapien) has some skill should also check out Deltron 3030. That is another alias of his, and his self titled album is incredible.
  • Kate from Phoenix, AzI think it's cool how many people are convinced that this song is about the psychedelic experience. It never occurred to me until I heard it on the radio a few months ago. Everyone is so quick to dismiss drugs and their effect on music, but psychedelics are VERY different and anyone who's had a true psychedelic experience knows why. Only after you experience it can you see how these very specific chemicals (L.S.D, psilocybin, DMT) have infiltrated our culture on every level. For example, you can thank L.S.D for the computer your staring into, the mouse in your hand, and the internet that brought you to this website. This song is a prime example of a band tuning into a higher level, which is why so many people sense a deeper hidden meaning. Not everyone takes psychedelics, but everyone has a psyche.
  • Robert from Denver, CoSunshine in a bag is DEFINETLY a drug referrence. I love it when people always say "Not all songs are about drugs" and the like. Its almost like they are jealous that they can't really "get" it because of their inexperience with the subject. Back in the day I referred to a new bag of dope as my "sunshine in a bag" MANY times.
  • Emily from Humboldt, CaThis song is about being awake to the world around you, and how terrible and messed up it is. It depresses me to see everyone around me moving in sequence, buying things they don't need doing things they don't have to. I see this song as mostly his cry to awaken people, and show them the world around them. The rapper in this song, Del, is also a rapper in Deltron.. Which is an anti-illuminati band. So, having said that, I'm pretty sure this is about awareness and how the illuminati messes with everyones head. It was a good try with all of the drug battles though, it is actually something more bitter than drugs.
  • Ed Case from Liv, Nethe song is obviously about a new beginning.
    'aint happy feeling glad'... not happy the way something went maybe but glad because its over an mayb learnt from it. 'i got sunshine in a bag'.. mayb sunshine was the problem and in a bag means its been stored away/ also cud mean drugs in a bag to make him feel better. 'useless but not for long'.. the event has made him feel useless but hes gona plan 2 make things better and 'future coming on'.. looking forward to it
  • Vee from Melbourne, AustraliaThe song has no reference to drugs.. Gorillaz are a virtual band.. created for you to think of them in a different setting. All of the lyrics in their song are very straight-forward. Automatically, people jump to the conclusion that its about drugs, because you haven't looked towards the bigger picture. Nor have u possibly dealt with your spirituality.

    The song is about awakening, and the ascension into the five dimension in 2012.

    "i aint happy.. im feeling glad", his talking about the delusion humans are living in our society at the moment. we haven't been able to reach our highest point of happiness, becos of the distractions society has placed on us.

    "the future is coming on" - talking about the ascension of consciousness to the 5th dimension. and the power and freedom he will receive when we're finally released from this puppet corrupt life under the illuminati/US government we all live in.

    "appears in you, to clear your view.. when you're too crazy" - his talking about your consciousness

    "im useless, but not for long.. the future is coming on " - this is my favourite line.. his talking about how we're going to become our own co-creators.. finally in the 5th dimension, life will be beautiful.. peaceful.. harmonious.

    "the essence, you make it.. allow me to make it.. child like in nature. im in em.. every sprouting tree, every cloud u see" - realise his not talking about drugs... his talking about the consciousness, the soul.. him, as god as creator of all things..

    corruption in the sky.. from this fkn enterprise - the illuminati.. what they've created on earth, this bubble that people live in.. they've created the media, hollywood.. trying to control people, mould people.. distract people from whats really happening on earth, which is are connection to our higher self, our consciousness and our relationship with the universe, as one.

    "be a mentor, bust a few rhymes.. so muther f--kers remember" - his awakening people on earth to remember what is happening in 2012.. the ascension to the 5th dimension.

    "law is lawless" - the universes law.

    peace =)



  • Joe from Carver, Malol. its entertaining that 75% of the songs that are ever made are considered to be about drugs, and although i would not criticize you for believing in that with the extremely abstract and strange origins of the gorillaz, i do not believe it has anything to do with drugs. but to everyone its something different. all that really matters is how you perceive a song. not how the writer intended. the line of the lyrics stating "ive got sunshine in a bag" could be a metaphor for something good happening or knowing a set direction in life. that, leading to "im useless, but not for long" on the context of knowing what to do but not having whats needed yet. but thats just a broad generalization. the main point is Clint Eastwood is an awesome.
  • Fethy Ethiopia... from Atl, Ethiopiathis song could meen any thing. any1 from the drugy to the vampire freak can relate to it... thats y it s a classic...!
  • Arron from Yakima, WaIm keep going back and forth on the topic of the song being about drugs. It seems if you have any understanding of the backstory and creation of the band you would know that the Gorillaz are all completely fictional. There are no real world representations for the band members other than Del who has only a guest spot and is not a full-time member. Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett are the creators and there is no indication that either has had problems with narcotics and therefor I find it hard to believe that they would would write a song delving into the methaphors of drugs and drug use. That being said... there is a tremedous amount of time spent logging the band's backstory so it is not completely out of the question, especially when the characters themselves, do have a history of drug use. Murdoc himself has many addictions and 2-D was said to have been involved in multiple accidents leading his mother, who was a nurse, to dispense "head-ache pills" and so on. With all this taken into consideration I am still torn. I know that as a person with a drug problem myself, it is easy to associate the lyrics of the song with a person's doc. (drug of choice) Mine happens to be oxycontin and I happen to agree with Corey from f--ktown,VA... lol. It does seem at one point in the song the sound of somebody snorting a line, the lyrics seem to speak to feelings you have while you're high and so-on.

    Oh oh oh oh oh
    I ain't happy,
    I'm feeling glad
    I got sunshine in a bag
    I'm useless but
    Not for long
    The future is coming on

    The first two lines in my eyes refers to the fact that while I am utterly ashamed of doing the drug you are still glad to do them because you feel normal again. "Sunshine in a bag" could obviously be a reference to possessing your drugs. The last portion to me, is talking about the addiction. With OC at least, when you dont have any in your system, when you aren't high, you are utterly useless. Can't get out of bed and nothing is accomplished. "But not for long," after you do your drugs, you feel like a million bucks and are motivated to get whatever you need to done, AKA: the future has come on...

    I could go on like this for the rest of the song, but I think that you all get the idea. Just my
    .02$
  • Julian from San Francisco , CaI think he's telling us that we spend too much time thinking about things that aren't important instead of opening our eyes and seeing what's going on around us. Lines such as "cause you don't see with your eyes, you percieve with your mind" point this out blatantly. Also the use of the words fictional and mystical help. "Hype s--t" refers to all of the crap we meditate on such as what clothes we're going to wear or even what music we're going to listen to. I think that the guys are just saying that we're psuedo-simplifying everything and we need to stop. As for smoking marijuana... I don't see it. Could just be me.
  • Brad from Chico, CaOh and Del the Funky Homosapien is in the hip hop group Hieroglyphics. HELLA DOPE A$$ group. rep norcali
  • Brad from Chico, CaPretty sure this songs about doing heroine(Sunshine in a bag and only looking foward towards the future...)
  • Hayden from Tka, New ZealandI believe there is a Phi Life Cypher version on a particular version of G Sides. Great.
  • Robert from Phoenix, AzAlright I'm SICK of people getting the "sunshine in a bag" part wrong

    The "Sunshine in a bag" is the gold Clint Eastwood's character rides off with at the end of the film (Sunshine refers to the gold when light reflects off of it while the bag is, well, the bag holding the $$$) while the cemetary in the video is where he hides the gold
  • Joe from Sf, CaHe is talking about pot, you dont "toke" on LSD Gunsmokin' righteous with one toke
    Psychic among those
    Possess you with one blow
  • Kane from Wytheville, Va"sunshine in a bag" means he trys to stay happy so he's concealing his sadness with sunshine in a bag
    the song is about being trap from all the stuff that makes him happy and he's tryin to realease his happyness although it sound pretty chilling
    ROCK ON GORILLAZ
    DEATH DYNASTY COMING SOON
  • Erik from Nonya, Pai agree w/ 69 so-fine, you ppl are looking too far into it.
  • Dillon from Lakewood, OhReading these comments made me lose 10% of my brain cells. Yes over the years people have mistaken sunshine in a bag for meaning weed. But any other drug is just not even logical. The entire song is about Clint Eastwood, just listen to the western sounds in teh background.and sunshine in a bag is referring to !GOLD! imagine that! watch some movies and you'll see. i do have a feeling when the lyrix were written they knew sunshine in a bag would make people think about drugs.
  • Flip from Evansville, InMost of you have this wrong, it's not drugs in general or about the anti-christ, its acid. Sunshine in a bag. Sunshine=lsd. Has been for many years now. This song is just describing a trip one of them had.

    They bring up time a lot, which doesn't exist. It talks about the future and how it is coming on. But when you trip you don't know if its been five minutes or two days, and really you don't care. All you know is time is passing you by. "time is nothing to me...".

    Law is lawless. You have a different mind set when you are all tripped out. You see how much all the laws are b*llsh*t. You see the meaning of all that is important around you and not all the "hype s--t" that is fed to you by the media and ect... to what is normal and the cool thing to do.

    And last but not least, "...it's all in your head". That sums up many of the lines. Trip one too many times or put yourself in a hellacious trip and see how many times you catch yourself saying that.

    All this happens because you start bleeding and blood drips onto your spinal cord. Your body reacts in a negative manner. Freaking out in other words. Your body thinks it's dying and your body intensifies. The brain in return, starts thinking insane thoughts. You do become "useless" as far as society percieves ya. Functioning in a "normal fashion" is rather difficult to do if you somehow find a way to care.

    You can all argue that out, but the ones who have tripped hard before can relate, and the rest of you that want to argue it out can go out and try it(not recommended, a longterm nightmare you are glad to have tried many times, but wish you hadn't) and then understand. If not, then keep you mouths shut if you plan on arguing out something you have not even the slightest idea about.
  • Ashley from Zephyrhills, Fli like this son it cool and it get stuck in my head and i sing it in my class and my i told this little d00d who wont leave me alone that had a Boyfriend named clint eastwood and he would beat him up it was funny but mean...i love this song!!!
  • 69-so-fine from French Lick, Indiana!!, InMaybe it's just refering to the fact even when he's down he still has sunshine in a bag...and he just says it momotone so he's like I feel like s--t but Im still pretending to be glad...G-rated meaning of the song...
  • Dirty from Union City, Pawow I hate to come in here and act like a know it all, but this has nothing to do with mushrooms your an idiot. The heroin guy was the closest becuase its about coc. If you still want to argue about this i want you to stop, turn the song up as loud as you can and listen right after he says You think it's fictional


    Mystical? Maybe
    Spiritual
    Hearable
    What appears in you is a clearer view cos you're too crazy
    LIFELESS
    AND THEN HE SNORTS A LINE
    AND YOU CANT SNORT A LINE OF MUSHROOMS
    AND THEN THE REST OF THE SONG GOES RIGHT ALONG WITH DRUG
    AND WHO EVER THINKS THAT ITS ABOUT VAMPIRES PLEASE PASS ME SOME OF WHAT EVER YOU GOT
    LOL
    THANK YOU GOODBYE
  • Tony from B Town, Ohyou're a fool i'm right your wrong end of story.
  • Brosive from Bermuda, -take it from somebody who has done every drug from weed to crack, hard drugs will never lead u anywhere in life except for ur own personal mental hell.
  • Tony from B Town, OhThis song isn't just about any drugs ladies and gentlemen. This song is about the best drug in the world MUSHROOMS! Now i want you to go out and buy a bag from your local street pharmacist. it'll cost ya 30 bucks for an eight and thats going on the high side so if you pay any more then that your getting ripped off cause it costs basically nothing to grow em' playa price is usually 20 bucks. now the reason why i'm giving this info about this magnificent drug is because i would like yall to go out and buy a bag and listen to this song once more when you start to peak. Now the line "i aint happy im feeling glad" is referring to the initial feeling of mushrooms when they start to kick in cause you aren't really happy because it messes with most folks stomachs but you do feel glad because that means your trip is about to occurr.
    Now the line "i got sunshine in a bag" yes you guessed it.. referring to your mushrooms. The reason why its called sunshine in a bag is because when ya start trippin your pupils will become the size of pennies, which will make everything start to become like "Sunshine".
    Alright the line "im useless but not for long the future is coming on" mushrooms pretty much do make you useless if you eat a bunch you sometimes jus end up sitting around and tripping for a while. but the writer knows that, well the future is coming and its not gonna last forever.
    Alright now some idiot said the first verse is about vampires. your dumb. Finally someone let me out of my cage. Now, time for me is nothing cos I'm counting no age.Now I couldn't be there.Now you shouldn't be scared.I'm good at repairs.And I'm under each snare.Intangible. this part is pretty much saying that his just started to trip and he's not keeping track of time cause its not important when your on mushrooms you dont even comprehend it. but he's not gunna freak out ccause he can repair it cause its all in your head. thats where intagible comes in cause you can't touch alot of the things you'll see.
    "Bet you didn't think so I command you to
    Panoramic view
    Look I'll make it all manageable
    Pick and choose
    Sit and lose
    All you different crews
    Chicks and dudes
    Who you think is really kickin' tunes?
    Picture you gettin' down in a picture tube
    Like you lit the fuse
    You think it's fictional
    Mystical? Maybe" this part is pretty much saying all types of differnet people eat em chicks and dudes and different crews and then you should be listening to music when your eating them cause its just SO much better. narator then goes into how things are starting to get mystical and spiritual beacause you really do have a spiritual awakening whe you them.

    "What appears in you is a clearer view cos you're too crazy" alright he's talking about the spiritual awakening here. believe me your life becomes some much clearer when you try this but your to lazy to really think about it sober.
    "To know the definition for what life is
    Priceless." It really is go eat yourself a bag of sunshine fools.
    "For you because I put you on the hype s--t
    You like it? Gunsmokin' righteous with one token
    Psychic among those. Possess you with one go"
    Ya know this is a part where he is talking about how sweet his music is for the recreation you are doing and and also you should be smoking the weed while eating da shrooms.
    Alright the second part of the song is really beatiful if you think about it "The essence the basics
    Without it you make it
    Allow me to make this
    Child, like in nature
    Rhythm
    You have it or you don't that's a fallacy
    I'm in them
    Every sprouting tree
    Every child and beast
    Every cloud you see"
    He's talking about spirit because everyone has it, its basic and essential and its all around.
    "You see with your eyes
    I see destruction and demise
    Corruption in disguise
    >From this f--kin' enterprise
    Now I'm sucking to your lies" this is what happens when you eat mushrooms everything is enlightens you see the destruction that people and enterprises do to the world its really crazy. jus do em.
    "Through Russ, though not his muscles but the percussion he provides
    with me as a guide
    But y'all can see me now cos you don't see with your eye
    You perceive with your mind
    That's the inner" he's talking about how he is narrating your trip.. its really helpful especially if you have russ making a sweet beat to go with it. And we can see him now from the hallucinations but its not with your eyes its with your mind.
    This last part is really a great ending"So I'm gonna stick around with Russ and be a mentor
    With a few rhymes so mother f--kers
    Remember where the thought is
    I brought all this
    So you can survive when law is lawless
    Feelings, sensations that you thought were dead
    No squealing, remember
    (that it's all in your head)
    He's saying peace out enjoy your trip, don't forget about what you learned and remember its all in your head dont have a bad trip.

    Sso sorry that it took so long to put that down but ya'll were jus pissin me off with your theories about vampires, only bein about weed and whatever your retarded views were. so please go eat yourself a bag of mushrooms and then listen to this song agian i garuantee you will have more appreciation for this song. thank you and be carefully yall.


  • John from Slime City, Ctthe first verse is about vampires.
  • That Girl from Whoville, WyI think this song, perhaps made by guys on drugs, is a warning that we don't all have true thoughts made up by ourselves. I think that it is saying that this "enterprise" is controlling us, and that we are becoming robotic. I think the song is scary, and i like it. The fact that he's scared and unhappy and doesn't know exactly what he's doing is something we can all relate to. "Who you think is really kickin tunes?" well, to be honest, i dont think it's me, or an of you who comment.
    -that's just me, i could be wrong, but that's what i heard when i listened to the song...
  • Kyle from Coeur D'alene, IdI believe this song is about acid. And i think anyone who's acid would agree with me on this one.
  • Shannon from Bakersfield, CaIt is refering to drugs.The song is just in alot of metaphors that way you wouldn't know.But yes,it is about drugs.
  • Merrick from Plano, TxAnd the song isn't named for the actor Clint Eastwood. Its named after a Reggae artist in the 70s and 80s.
  • Merrick from Plano, TxAlright, kids. "Sunshine in a bag" refers to drugs. But the whole song is not about drugs.

    And Roger...GOD? No. No. No. No. Jesus hates you for typing that. Now you are going to hell. Hasselhoff will be there singing "Du" all night and day.
  • Jenny from Wny, Njjayj, YOU'RE DEFINITELY ON POINT, and anyone else who said along the same lines as what he said was right. And anyone saying that this song is not about drugs is not too bright. this song refers mostly to cannabis. listen closely to the lyrics. i have some reliable sources but a certain code of honor prohibits me from talking.
  • Kevin from Philly, PaHAve u thought maybe its about withdraw and gettin away from Drugs, or maybe as others have said spiritual. Hes not happy, withdraw, but hes glad cause hes got hope and he has a future. Maybe its bout his soul finally being freed, possibly by the drugs, or being freed by being released fromt he drugs to think freely (out of his cage) the reason there is rap is to show its not hte same person that u thought it was. it possibly was bout the orange sunshine which dawned the same time as Clint Eastwood but it makes more sense to be Clint Eastwood was a hero to him a Dream and jus as the Dream of a hero he has the Dream of hope... hope of being something more then a druggie, but as a person who can write something that brigns joy, the sunshine in a bag, to many people at once in different ways. Both drugs and god cant be percieved wit the eye and he makes it so easy to relate to either so that way anyone has a common relation to the song
  • Marc from Perth, AustraliaAbout God?? O....K.... psst, everyone... let's just back away real slow... no sudden movements...
  • Roger from Pburg, WvThis song is about God.

    Want proof? Just imagine everything being said in this song as being said by God to humanity. It makes perfect sense if you look at it that way.
  • Hector from Houston, Txcharlotte i dont like you.
  • Jayj from North Bergen, NjJordan,townsend,ma I think ur prolly tha smartest person here.yes this song does have 2 do with drugs and its effects but in reality this song is pure genius truly written by a being who has knowledge of self.he is talking about his higher self as mah dude jordan said, his subconscience mind ,his soul.when wun does drugs what really happens is that u receive this enormous amounts of energy that's just there waiting 2 b used but people can't handle it so they jus lay around high like airheads. and all that energy makes u feel high but in reality drugs jus amplify tha energy u already have ur just more in tune with it when under the effects ..they clearly know about energy and r trying 2 tell u tha truth about it.he states ur psychic wit wun toke posses u wit wun dose..he allows his higher self 2 control his him and do as he wishes at will b cusz he knos his spirit is all that's real in this 3 dimensional world. he's psychic b cusz he believes in the power of his mind and knos that it won't fail him...than he says ya can c me now cusz u don't c with ur eyes u precieve with ya mind..he's talkin about people who have learned 2 use there 3rd eye 2 c things that aren't seen with tha naked eye like energy and spirits ....in the bible jesus said that the eyes r they light 2 the soul therefore when thine eye is single and filled with light ur whole body will b filled with light...they kno about the future how everything will b lawless and only tha strong will survive but the most amazing thing about the song is that they emit the fact that they kno that every human being can create his own reality.... the gorillas r certainly goin 2 reach enlightenment by 2012 as so will everywun else who knos the truth..the song is pure genius only god cud recognize god lolsz.
    God bless all 4 all is god
  • Brad from Knoxville, Tnwell if i wore a k.k.k outfit wouldnt you think im a racicist ? i guess wearing black clothes,having sharp teeth,and a sinister laugh just wouldnt do him justice,huh ?
  • Gerardo from Irving, Txthis song is about weed if you listen to del's verse you would knoe that
  • Mauricio from San Jose, CaBrad, I believe this song is about LSD.
    I don't think there is any reference to satanic or anti-christ in this, or any other Gorillaz songs I know.
    Murduc has that cross maybe because they wanted the characters of gorillaz to have different, and deep backgrounds and characteristics... 2D is kind of the guy who does good stuff, but is not payed well by life in general. Russ is kind of the spiritual guy. Noodle is the innocent girl. And Murdoc is like the bad, crazy guy.... Gorillaz represent him with the inverted cross to give more shape to the character, and just to make it interesting, as well as all the other chracters have interesting aspects...
  • Brad from Knoxville, TnI hope im not being to biblical here . . .but does anyone think there songs have to deal with the anti-christ ? I mean for those of you who pay attention i dont even have to tell you about murdocs cross.
  • Dave from New York, Ny- matt, thatplace, TX

    thank you you are the first smart comment
  • Dave from New York, Nythis song is about any hallucenegtic drug. if you take something and watch the video, youll trip balls. like the scene where the monkey pops out of the ground. the reason that happens like 3 times is because thats trippy. sunshine in a bag is ACID. not weed not coke or anything else. acid. these guys are major druggies which is prob one of the reasons they write such awesome songs. if anyones ever actually listened to this album and listen to "Left Hand Suzuki Method" you hear a bong hit (inhale for those of you straight edge people) in the beginning. whoever thinks this song and video is not about drugs is ignorant. at least smoke some good weed and watch this video and all these people saying its not a drug song will finally understand how stupid they are...
  • Jordon from Townsend, MaI for one dont think this song is about drugs, i think its about russels higherself, his subconcious, russel is mute and depressing, yet thro his higherself he obtains happiness, knowlage, and a mentor to guide him thro his life, now let me try to explain the lines

    Finally someone let me out of my cage.- finally he is out of the back of his mind and can help him

    Now time for me is nothing 'cause I'm counting no age.-your higherself is part of your spirit that has no physical body, and so does not age.

    No, I couldn't be there. No, you shouldn't be scared.-hes not really outside of his mind, but part of it, another mind which could seem scary so he conforts him.

    I'm good at repairs and I'm under each snare.-your higherself does everything right and automatcally knows what to do next, and appears to be controling him for his own benifit

    Intangible, bet you didn't think, so I command you to- doubting the ability to sense him so he controls him

    Panoramic view, look I'll make it all manageable.- he needs to precieve things diffrently so he will show him how.

    skip a few

    I'm in them, every sprouting tree, every child apiece, Every cloud at sea,- he is appart of everything, he is one.

    you see with your eye.
    You see destruction and demise, corruption in disguise,
    From this f*cking enterprise, now I'm sucking to your lies
    Through Russel, not his muscles, but percussion he provides
    With me as a guide.- we see things but we cant see thro them, that is the lies and corruption in the world that must come to an end, he will guide russel and help him avoid or stop these corruptions

    Y'all can see me now 'cause you don't see with your eye.
    You perceive with your mind. That's the inner- russel is only sensing him, not with sight but with a kind of sixth sense








  • Jack from Independence, MoTrue, Meth, does have all these symptoms, and is the same way, however, listen close to the background, the lyrics are only half the song, demonstrated by it's title, named after a man who had an instrument played in one of his movies. In the backround one can clearly distinguish a snorting sound, not that meth can't be snorted, it can, Anyone heard of hotrails? But Cocaine is normally associated with snorting.
  • John from Broomfield, Cou guys are so dumb, u have to xpierience to know what its about, its clearly about meth, cuz he can not sleep.
  • Chris from Abingdon, Vain my opinion, reading everything everyone has said, anyone who does drugs thinks its talking about drugs, if you dont do drugs you dont understand fully what the references are, so each person sees it differently, someone who smokes weed, and only weed would see the sunshine as "weed" i agree with the acid comments, its very possible that could be it, but a lot of the lines will fit with anything that will **** you up... "survive when laws are lawless" if you've ever been ****ed up on anything, you know that you think you can do anything, no matter what it is, drugs make your thought process foggy, so you dont know your limitary boundries, also "i aint happy, im feeling glad" most people who do drugs are upset over some reason, so they take the drugs (or drink, in my case) to forget about the bad things in life, so they can be happy, at least for a little while...
  • Terminalinsanity from Pickering, CanadaThe song is most definatly not about X/MDMA/E, or weed...

    Most likely mushrooms!!! possibly acid
    'Finally someone let me out of my cage' could describe the way 'shrooms strip your ego away.

    'Now, time for me is nothing cos I'm counting no age' A common experience on mushrooms is to loose all sense of time, the trip will usualy last 5 hours but it can seem like days.

    "Mystical? Maybe. Spiritual, Hearable" Alot of people refer to shrooms as a mystical/spiritual trip...

    "What appears in you is a clearer view cos you're too crazy" Shrooms really mess you up, and the things you see can seem MUCH more real and clear then reality.

    The whole song to me sounds like its about mushrooms in one way or another, and it makes quite amount of sense to me! Hallucinations, feelings, psychic experiences, the little bit of philosophy that comes with the song, is exactly the type of thoughts shrooms provoke.
  • Blake from Hamilton, OhThis song is about weed. He isn't a happy man, so he takes the drug and is now feeling glad. He has the "Weed" in a bag. Now he's coming on, and now he wants to make things better. The "Rapping" is taking the point of view of the drug itself. It's probably their best song.
  • Charles from Big Rock, TnI think this song has to do with Del hearing the Gorillaz playing their music and coming out to tell them that they are okay but still need some improvement. So he offers to help them. But I gotta admit that when I first heard it I thought it was about weed. But I was stoned off my ass when I first heard it to. (Ps. Don't ever give me weed. It has an effect on me similer to speed or coke, when I'm stoned I wont shut the f@#k up. I'm goin cold turkey.)
  • Matt from Thatplace, TxThis song is definitely about acid/lsd trip or some other trip. Here's why:
    1)"I ain't happy, I'm feelin glad" - When you take acid, your emotions can change drastically in a matter of seconds. One minute you're cracking up about something stupid, and the next you're crying your eyes out.
    2)"Now, time for me is nothing cos I'm counting no age" - Trips are LONG. Hours. After a while, you just forget about time, and it seems as though it doesn't even exist.
    3)In 1969, acid tablets were sold and were referred to as "orange sunshine".
    4)"intangible" - Means 'incapable of being perceived by the senses' or 'incapable of being realized or defined.' Many of the feelings, smells, sounds, and the colors you experience while tripping are those you would never be able to perceive otherwise.
    5)"bet you didn't think, so I command you to" - While tripping, it is impossible to not think. Thinking is almost all you can do. Thoughts almost get out of control and you think about things with depth and meaning.
    6)"panoramic view" - As mentioned in 4, you notice everything more vividly. Things you never noticed before, you suddenly notice.
    7)"Mystical? Maybe Spiritual" - Many people have spiritual experiences while tripping, and many have changes in the way they think spiritually.
    8)"what appears in you is a clearer view" - again, same explanation as in 4 and 6.
    9)"To know the definition for what life is Priceless" - Many people believe that they figure out the meaning of life. Also, many find hidden meanings in different things, such as song lyrics and books.
    9)"Gunsmokin' righteous with one token" and "Possess you with one go" - These, I believe, refer to the small amount of acid needed to trip. One hit is all it takes for many people to experience the effects of the drug.
    11)"psychic" - Acid is known as a psychedelic drug. Psychedelic means 'generating hallucinations, distortions of perception, altered states of awareness, and occasionally states resembling psychosis.' A person on acid could believe that he/she is psychic.
    12)"Every sprouting tree. Every child apiece. Every cloud you see. You see with your eyes. I see destruction and demise. Corruption in disguise. From this f*ckin' enterprise. Now I'm sucking to your lies. Through Russ, though not his muscles but the percussion he provides
    with me as a guide. But y'all can see me now cos you don't see with your eye. You perceive with your mind. That's the inner" - Again, with the senses. The Gorrilaz are talking about how most people see with just their eyes. Clouds are just clouds, trees are just trees, etc. People who take acid tend to see hidden meanings in everything. They see past just what their eyes see; they see with their mind, their soul (the inner). They also feel more connected to everything. It's hard to explain if you've never tripped before.
    13)"Feelings, sensations that you thought were dead" - No need to explain further.
    14)"remember(that it's all in your head)" - Sometimes, people who take acid forget that what is happening to them is not real, because everything is extremely vivid. There are reports of some people who have believed that they had wings and jumped out of windows to fly.
    15)Watch the video. It's definitely trippy!

    If you have never tripped, chances are you will not know what I'm talking about. If you have, then you will understand. And for all of you who try to say that this song isn't about drugs, you are very VERY wrong!
  • Seb from Atmore, AlIT IS NOT ABOUT DRUGS!!dope heads....it means he is holding true happiness until he can use it.."i aint happy"...but he is glad that he has it so that he knows how to make himself happy...and hes useless because he isnt happy...but not for long because in the future..he will be normal again...if you read 2ds story...he isnt really how he should be..so it might mean he is going to eventually be his normal self...
  • Jordan from New Orleans, La"I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad
    I got sunshine, in a bag
    I'm useless, but not for long
    The future is coming on"

    I was skeptical at first but those lyrics sound like they're referring to MDMA (Ecstasy). If you've done Ecstasy you can easily relate to those lines.

    The only thing that I have to back this up really is that the song "Left Hand Suzuki Method" (track 17 on the American release of the self-titled Gorillaz CD) starts off with two lighters being lit and a bong (most likely a bubbler) noise lasting for a good 7 or 8 seconds. That's exactly what it sounds like to me. Anyone have any other ideas what the opening 10 seconds of the song are?

    I'm pretty sure "Clint Eastwood" is referring to either weed, MDMA, or some other drug.
  • Pissed Off from Philly, United StatesWhy does this song have top be about drugs. Pull your head out of your ass and listen to the song with a more open mind.
  • Blake from Hamilton, OhThe video is a lot like Michael Jackson's Thriller, The Song is called "Clint Eastwood", so is this a mystery? No. The Line "I AIN'T Happy, I'm feeling glad" is saying he was depressed before he took the drug, but now he's being relieved.
  • Bryttan from Odessa, TxTo me the song means that he is sad and getting happy.....but thats just my opinion.
  • Brandon from Yuma, Az"Sunshine in a bag" is refering to methamphetamine. If you don't believe me then listen to their song "Dracula". If you still don't believe me then go out and try some meth... you'll understand then.
  • Joey from Ketchikan, Akthe song Clint Eastwood is referring to Joseph Campbell's idea of the hero's journey. The person narrating the story is some sort of mystic that has gone a life and world changing journey. The "sunshine in a bag" is the gift that he has gotten from some sort or god or godlike experience to help the people "survive when law is lawless". The idea of the hero's journey is that the boon that a hero recieves from completing some task or journey opens the perception and creates more awareness. That is why people see with their mind not with their eyes. The story could be seen as allegorical to drugs, but its not.
  • John from Williamstown, Njcharlotte of the colony:
    you dont know that.
    and to all you others dont say that
    the song IS about what ever you say
    its just your interpratation.
    stop being idiots.
  • Spencer from Los Angeles, CaActually Paul, Clint Eastwood played a character named Joe in "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." He played the character of Harry in the movie "Dirty Harry," which was completely different.
  • Paul from Galway, IrelandWhy does antone give a DAMN about the "sunshine in a bag lyric." its a great song. stop focusing about the bad points. Love Blur, the Gorillaz. Unreal. "Dirty Harry" is another of their songs. Clint Eastwood played the character Dirty Harry in the film,"The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly"
  • Pothead from Hempville, Flactually... The "sunshine in a bag" part, i believe he is talking about marijuana... yup :)
  • Skye from Jefferson City, Utgreat song; when i was like 8 i heard this song and loved it so yeah!
  • John from Newport, DeFrom my interpretation, the lyrics are about the pharmacutical industry and how they market "sunshine in a bag" aka prescription drugs to people to solve all their problems. Specifically it seems like its about schizophrenia, as seen from lyrics like "Y'all can't see me now 'cause you don't see with your eye, you percieve with your mind" and "No squealin', remember that It's all in your head" Either that or it seems like its about LSD or some other hallucinagen.
  • Tutosh from Compton, CoAlright, you don't have to admit it refers to drugs, but accept it as a possibility. In the 60s, Owsley orange SUNSHINE acid was one of the most popular/widely used forms of LSD. LSD is a hallucinogen which brings on revelations, often of a spiritual nature. The "future is coming on" could refer to the realization of something while under the influence of LSD. Also, the happy/glad thing could reflect the rapid switching of emotions which happens during an acid trip. I find the song to be describing this drug, but the beauty of music is that everyone can derive different meanings from the same song.
  • Kimberly from Greeley, Coi wouldnt deny drug reference in this song, i mean he says "sunshine in a bag" ? i mean really, what else is it supposed to mean? well i suppose it could mean that he metephorically speaking carries around his own little sunshine to keep him happy but that seems unlikely. i do like this song anyways. im going to download it for my iPod
  • Nick from Ft. Lauderdale, FlThe sunshine obviously refers to acid AKA LSD.
  • Bob from San Francisco, Capersonally this does not refer to drugs the sunshine in my perspective is the will to grow and live/function, he's useless because while it's in the bag he's cut off from it so he can't grow or live/function They shouldn't have put that break in the middle of the rap it makes no sense unless you can understand it all and remember the first part
  • Marlow from Perth, Australiaits clearly about drugs sunshine in a bag.. my future is coming on coming on coming on!
    coming on is a reference when a drug is kicking in!
  • Thief from Hollywood, FlI really liked Clint Eastwood, even though i still dont understand why its called that. Its teh song that got me into the group n i doubt it has to do with drugs. i love that its all animated, love anime......i cant seem to find the video anywhere. i gotta watch it again!
  • Cynical_soul from Phoenix, AzLet me just say, that this song's meaning is deeper than most people think. just read the lyrics, watch the video and listen to the song. They each offer a piece of the song in it's completeness. By the way, "Chicks and dudes, who you think is really kickin' tunes?"
  • Luke from Poopsville, NyYou know whats weird is that the original song called Clint Eastwood has another reference. In their newest album Demon Days, there is a song called Dirty Harry, which is a series of movies starring Clint Eastwood.
  • Corey from VaAs a drug *ahem* user....in my opinion the sunshine in a bag line is about heroin or oxycontin...coke isnt sunshine in a bag and doesnt make you "useless but not for long." this is a blatant drug reference and i cant see how one could not agree. Also he says "I aint happy, im feelin glad" as you would while being on opiate drugs. He then says "my future is coming on" so I think this is about how drugs dont control him but he does them...and is in the process of learning to give them up, but not quite yet
  • Richard from Mississauga, CanadaI swear I heard snorting in the song at one point. Cocaine?
  • Kyle from St.lois, MoI think this is one of those songs that you have to make your own meaning for. It can mean a lot of different things to many different people. I think the sunshine in a bag line is just refering to whatever you want it to, whether it be drugs or something completely different.
  • Dustin from My Home, Inthis song is awesome but it would be better with out the rap
  • Brandon from Panama City, OtherMy god I am still amazed on how people are so ready to deny a drug referance nowadays, the truth is, drugs are everywhere. the media and government programs are telling you that illegal drugs are limited to dumb beasts while there legal drugs are for the sophisticated...... lets do a little run down shall we? some adverse side affects of alcohol are: physical and phsycological addiction, liver damage, and brain cell damage, while as a common illegal drug such as cannabis only causes lung damage (no it doesnt kill brain cells and its NOT addictive) and even that lung damage can be avoided by using a bong. heh anyone who thinks its ok to drink a beer with your buddies, but not ok to light onwe up with them should go and get a little educated.....
  • Mulu from Helsinki, FinlandI think most people didn't get this song... its not talking about drugs at all.

    The song goes like this,

    I ain't happy, I am feeling glad,
    I got sunshine in a bag,
    I am useless, but not for long
    the future is coming on

    When you have a hope of getting something, you feel glad... happy is when you actually get the thing. Sunshine is refering to the light of life that we all crave ( complete and confusion free life )... he is glad cause his heart assures him he has it ( ''i got sunshine in a bag'' ), he isn't happy cause the sunshine is not at work yet ( he has it in a bag ). Its his... its guaranteed... its intact... its coming on real soon... as in having something in a bag and taking it out. He is useless at the moment cause no one can function without hope/purpose/life energy/light of life, but its just about time ( ''my future is comin on'' ).

    If you like this song you may also like 'easy livin' by Uriah Heep.
  • Jim from Dtown, Pa"sunshine in a bag" I read does not reffer to drugs, but that is along with the other post I have ^^
  • Dustin from Montrose, Paok yeah this song is definatly about drugs half of the gorillaz songs are abotu drugs
  • Dustin from Montrose, Paok yeah this song is definatly abotu drugs half of the gorillaz songs are abotu drugs
  • Mike from Port Jeff, Nyallright.

    Sunshine releases endorphines and dopaimine sp?

    so does cocaine.

    its coke.

    but yeah the video was all trippy and stuff, they were probably huge druggies.
  • Nick from Erwin, NcGorillaz' official sophomore album hasnt come out yet. "G-Sides" was a collection of B-sides and remixes and "Lakita Come Home" was a crappy remix album. Their second album will be released May 23rd, 2005 (24th in the US) and is called "Demon Days".
  • Johnny from Roseville, Caumm actually they did come out with another album 2 actually one called g-side and the other gorrilaz versus the spacemonkeys or something like that g-sides feautured some remixes off the first album and the spacemonkey one featuring reggae remixes of the first album...yeah
  • Evan from Louisville, KyIt's not reffering to drugs! It's talking about being happy.
  • Tom from Alma, Gaok, but what does this song have to do with "Clint Eastwood"?
  • Adeeb from Dhaka, Otheryes, but what new album?
  • Levy from Starkweather, Ndit was a good album.
  • Adeeb from Dhaka, Otherthis song is cool. and what new album?
  • Kristi from Ivor, VaThis video was shown on Toonami just because it was animated. -rolls eyes- I hate Toonami, slicing up anime and stuff..

    Plus: The Gorillaz came out with a new album. But it's only in England because strangely enough it seems they did bad with sales of the first cd in America.
  • Charlotte from The Colony, TxThe "sunshine in a bag" line in this song is refering to drugs.
see more comments

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