Album: Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984)

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• According to Anthony Kiedis' autobiography Scar Tissue, this was the first ever Red Hot Chili Peppers song. The band were just playing as an opening act by the name of Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem. The band wasn't meant to be a serious band, and Kiedis was just doing it for his friend's band. They wound up gaining a lot of popularity, and the band then wrote their second song, "Get Up and Jump." Soon after, they changed their name to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and got a record deal. In a 2006 Guitar World interview, bassist Flea looks back on that time, and says the idea of Anthony as a lead singer was funny. >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Bert - Pueblo, NM

Comments: 5

• Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganI think it's awesome that Hillel and I have/had the same guitar. While I normally play my purple Dimebag Dean guitar, I own a similar, maybe the exact guitar Hillel used: Fender Stratocaster with sunburst rosewood body, white pick guard, and mahogany neck. For whatever reason (I think because mahogany wood is too expensive or in short supply nowadays) they don't make Strat's with mahogany necks anymore. My axe is probably worth a lot, but I'm never gonna sell it. I got it from a fallen friend and I hold it near and dear. Hopefully my friend and Hillel are jammin' out in Rock n' Roll heaven.
• Zero from The Abyss, NjCould someone maybe post the original lyrics, if possible?
• Dan from Tinley Park, Ilyoud better be burnin, sherman!
• Mischa from Winnipegyour right the demo is mind-blowing... but the album version is lame.... "he swings the yang, he bangs the yang And now, it's time to hear him do his thang"...? dissapointing haha
• Brian from Winchester, Mathe demo is mind-blowing

More Songfacts:

Cradle Of LoveBilly Idol

When singing "Cradle Of Love," Billy Idol typically changes a line to, "This song is so cheesy."

Can't Get You Out Of My HeadKylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" received more airplay during the 2000s than any other song in the UK.

Summer BreezeSeals & Crofts

On the surface, "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Crofts is just a song about a guy coming home from work, but the duo claimed it had a deeper meaning about finding direction in one's personal life.

Just DanceLady Gaga

"Just Dance" was Lady Gaga's first hit, and it also brought the techno-synth sound that had been popular in Europe for the previous decade to the United States.

Blue MondayNew Order

New Order got the title for "Blue Monday" from an illustration that read "Goodbye Blue Monday" in the Kurt Vonnegut book Breakfast Of Champions. The image refers to the invention of the washing machine improving housewives' lives.

Your SongElton John

Bernie Taupin was 17 when he wrote the lyrics to Elton John's "Your Song." Looking back, he says it's "one of the most naïve and childish lyrics in the entire repertoire of music."

Editor's Picks

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."