Road Trippin'

Album: Californication (1999)
Charted: 30
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a trip Anthony Kiedis took in rural California with John Frusciante and Flea: "Road Trippin with my two favorite allies." This trip consolidated their friendship in this new phase of The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song reflects a more mature Kiedis, who wrote about this friendship triangle in "Under The Bridge" when he felt left out. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Tiago - Santos, Brazil
  • The title is mentioned only once in the song, which would lead people to believe that it's titled "Just a mirror for the Sun," which is sung repeatedly. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Spencer - Equinunk, PA
  • This is one of the few Red Hot Chili Peppers songs with no drums. Drummer Chad Smith appears only briefly at the end of the video, arriving in a boat. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • The Peppers used a Chamberlin Organ on this song to get the sort of orchestral sound. According to Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith's interview on Music Express, the original intention was to get legendary Led Zeppelin musician John Paul Jones to arrange that part. They decided against it after seeing how much it would cost them. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM

Comments: 8

  • Boris from Marechal Rondon, BrazilA great song, into a great album!
  • Tello from Boston, Maawesome song; it is really peaceful and happy. great album.
  • Emma from San Deigo, Cathis song is so peaceful ,i love it!
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaI think the concept for this whole album is Los Angeles and Anthony's perspective of it. If you guys want a point by point analysis just post here that you do. I'm reading "Scar Tissue" (Anthony Kiedis' autobiography, but he had a ghostwriter).
  • Nikie from Stockholm, SwedenThe concept.. I've been trying to figure out that one, but.. Like "This life is shining more forever in the sun.." and "let us drink the stars" ..It's like they think they can do about anything, 'cause they're so "happy" and all, almost exaggerated, to convince themselves.. But then.. "Just a mirror for the sun, these smiling eyes are just a mirror for". They're really not happy even though they might look like they are on this roadtrip, pretending they're feeling so good..
    Anyways, I love this song.. It's really sad I think.
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaWhat's the concept? Anyway this song is great, one of RHCP best and most underrated.
  • Spencer from Equinunk, PaI totally agree, Patrick. It's one of the best albums of all time!
  • Patrick from Humboldt, IaCalifornication is definitely a concept album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.