Pea by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Album: One Hot Minute (1995)

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This song is about bassist Flea and how when he was younger, he was small and got picked on a lot. During Flea's younger years he was by himself and a group of guys called him a name because he had pink hair, so he flicked them off. They proceeded to beat him up. When Flea came home, Hillel (Chili Peppers' guitarist) was making a big pot of soup. He saw Flea's beat up face and said, "Oh my God! What happened?" When Flea told him what happened, Hillel yelled, "Come on let's go get 'em!" But Flea just took one look at skinny Hillel, his soup, and back to Hillel, "Nah man it's alright." So the song is about two things, that story in particular, and also about the great feeling of being really small in a huge world. Flea has said he loves feeling as small as an ant when walking through a forest with huge trees. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Ty - Hudson, WI
The line about the "Homophobic redneck dick" refers to the people that were beating up Flea. This line was not Wal-Mart friendly, and RHCP had to distribute versions of the One Hot Minute album without the song to the retailer.
Flea sang on this and played it on a Sigma acoustic bass. He wrote it and is the only one that played an instrument on the song. >>>
Suggestion credit:
James - Guilford, CT
A popular Lenten vegetable in England during the later Middle Ages was the pea. There were no known "green peas" until after the 1066 Norman Conquest of England. In 1150 among foods stored at the Barking Nunnery, near London, were "green peas for Lent." Dried peas were one of the principal foods for the poor as they were cheap and filling. (From the book Food for Thought: Extraordinary Little Chronicles of the World by Ed Pearce)
This is the only song from One Hot Minute that the Red Hot Chili Peppers played live after John Frusciante rejoined the band in 1998. The band collectively chose not to play any songs they wrote with Dave Navarro. "Pea" is the exception as it only features Flea. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Adrian - Gettysburg, PA

Comments: 15

Deborah Schillbach from New HampshireFlea is the hero the better person the stronger person. Instead of going low he went high. Instead of fighting he chose to use his his art his words. A bully is an insecure person one who most likely has been bullied themselves, neglected or abused. Only a coward prey’s on those they feel are “weaker”.
Flea your my hero
Sindollx666x from Everett, WaI've always felt a strong connection to this song. I was always the smallest in my classes, every school year if not always the smallest, second once- or twice. I've probably been given every short person related nickname most notably 1993 Space camp they called me Peanut, and in high school the next year I accidentally as a joke ended up "Sprout" which at first I hated, but it grew on me. I turned 40 in November and some people still call me Sprout, and I never got passed 5'1". Yeah I got made fun of a lot too, it prepared me for my extreme style that came in teen years and never left. Though I was raised not to give a eff what people think of me, especially based on looks. My freshman year of high school I was 4'5" and I could comfortably sit in those about 3 foot lockers. Lol made great for pranks with a partner in crime!! I love that Flea wrote one for the little ones, we were often overlooked!
Sydney from VirginiaThis was the only song from One Hot Minute played after John's first return, but only before Josh joined. They've played some other OHM songs since then, Aeroplane probably being the most memorable and recognisable.
Jennifer from Liberty, Scthis song is my fav song by the chili peppers :)
it's almost completely me (i'm a pacifist until you get to a certain point and i don't care if you can kick my ass or not i'm still gonna try)
Mark from New York, NyIm am 6 foot 1 and I love this song. People laugh when I sing and play it. But It means a lot to me...
Emitremmus from Desolation Row, United Statesthis song is really easy to learn and play. sounds best on acoustic bass anyways, yeh
Louise from Durhamflea was bullied at school 4 bein little and this song is showin that he is better than them
xx
Louise from Durhamfantastic song. doin it 4 the little people! Go flea. i introduced this song 2 may m8s and they all luv it. especially tom. xx the swearin gives it attitude. dont mess wit little dudes.
Danno from Sussex, EnglandSuch a simple yet incredible song to play, "I'm a litte Pea, I love the sky and the trees" ... genius
Marko from Melbourne, Australiai heard this song was written as "payback" and flea's stance towards all the rednecks -- id say much like a hippie, he hates "rednecks with shotguns" and he loves the environment... but flea definitely deserves a medal for his work on bass i mean it just makes the chili peppers what they are
Sir Psycho Sexy from Somewhwere In The Middle Of, CaOf course the "videogame" character is in the videogame imitation Californication music video.
Sir Psycho Sexy from Somewhwere In The Middle Of, CaI'm a little pea/I love the sky and the trees is a reference to Flea's love of nature and devotion to saving the environment, which can be seen when his videogame character is climbing up on a red wood.
Liz from Surrey, Englandthis is such a cool song, i think flea sounds kinda sweet singing it
Ben from Padfield, Englandit is about how flea changed from the little "Mike B the flea" to a more agressive person when he started playin bass
James from Guilford, Ctgreat, great song

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