If You Have To Ask

Album: Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was not supposed to make sense, and the chorus was written to certify this song as nonsense: "If you have to ask, you'll never know."
  • Although a single was made for this song, it was banned from radio stations because the line after "If you have to ask, you'll never know" was "funky motherf--kers will not be told to go." The funky motherf--kers were the Red Hot Chili Peppers. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Spencer - Equinunk, PA, for above 2
  • The clapping at the end of the song is for John Frusciante's improvised guitar solo. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    evan - Paramus, New Jersey
  • Frusciante's wah-driven solo was named one of the greatest wah solos of all time, ranking at #18 on Guitar World's 2015 list.

Comments: 7

  • Eloquentracer92 from YesEvan, this isn’t a cover, that’s why nobody mentioned it.
  • Evan from Kali, MiI'm surprised that it isn't already mentioned: the fact that this is a cover. This is a cover of a P-Funk song of the same title. P-Funk is arguably their largest influence.
  • Mark from New York, NyWow, thanks for that. Thats deep Mike...
  • Michal from Lubin, PolandActually, the song has a meaning. The chorus is a quote of Louis Armstrong. Where he was at some fancy party, a woman asked him what it is, that "jazz thing". He answered: "Well, ma'am, if you have to ask, you'll never know". Kiedis uses this quote to impress his love to funk music. btw this is what all song is about - funk, loving funk :].
  • Madalyn from Greensburg, Pai've been in love with them and haven't stopped... 1993 is when i heard it and it is forever
  • Brian from Winchester, Mathe chili peppers- you love them or you hate them, maybe that's what this song is about. you wish they'd stay forever, or be banished. it's a weird metaphor
  • Sully from Newport, VtOn RHCP's album Live In Hyde Park, Flea (roughly) quotes the chorus of this song before the band plays a cover of Black Cross by 45 Grave: "This song is called Black Cross. And if you have to ask, then you'll never know."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Graduation Songs

Graduation SongsFact or Fiction

Have you got the smarts to know which of these graduation song stories are real?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."