She's Only 18

Album: Stadium Arcadium (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Anthony Kiedis in the June 2006 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, this song is about his girlfriend, model Heather "Nika" Christie. Kiedis sings about a girl who is just 18 years old, but is going too far too fast in her life. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM
  • The line before the second chorus, "The last I heard from you, you were screaming resurrect" is backed by drummer Chad Smith on vocals. You can hear the low voice if you listen closely. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mischa - Winnipeg, Canada
  • The song's working title was "Funkadelicish To Me" because guitarist John Frusciante listened to the groove and quipped, "Sounds Funkadelicish to me."
  • According to Kiedis, this originally had a completely different instrumental chorus with a wild, "hazy, phasey" chord progression Frusciante came up with.
  • The band originally envisioned Stadium Arcadium, their ninth album, as a trilogy and planned to release a disc every six months. Instead, they pared it down to a double album, with 14 songs on each disc, titled Jupiter and Mars. "She's Only 18" appears on Jupiter.

Comments: 9

  • Martin from Prague, Czech RepublicI always thought the low voice in the "The last I heard from you..." part was Rick Rubin and not Chad. I don't know if I've read it somewhere or if it's just my assumption.
  • Timmy from Mukilteo, Wathis song is so good. one of the best chili pepper songs
  • Jo from Bethlehem, PaI love turning the bass up for this song, haha.
  • Dawson from Draper, UtI agree w/ Mischa, it is way cool. I like the album Stadium Arcadium, but if you listen to their 3 new EPs, those non-album tracks are a lot better than some songs on Stadium Arcadium, life for example, Warlocks.
  • Liz from The Town That Never Sleeps, NvThis song is about me.
    HA
    I wish.
    but i really feel like it describes alot of females these days
    *like myself*
    -Liz
  • Oneinamillion from Nyc, NyBeautiful song. Almost feels like an anthem when I hear it. What a fabulous album.
  • Mischa from Winnipegthis is the best song from stadium arcadium
  • Zach from Carlsbad, CaThis is a good reference to today's teenage girls who feel they need to live up to a standard of being slutty. I am in high school I see it everyday.
  • Tom from Northport, Nythis song is actually about Anthony Kiedis' girlfriend/wife who was 18 when they met
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."