The Power Of Equality

Album: Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is an attack on racism and inequality. It is in the style of the rap band Public Enemy, who are mentioned in the third verse: "I got tapes, I got CDs, I got my Public Enemy."
  • "The Power Of Equality" is the first track on Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Red Hot Chili Peppers' fifth album, and their first produced by Rick Rubin. Thanks to the hit "Under The Bridge," it easily outsold their first four albums combined and made the group a mainstream act, a shocking development for anyone who remembered seeing them on stage wearing nothing but socks (not on their feet).
  • Lead singer Anthony Kiedis does the "Hey batter batter... swing!" taunt at the beginning of the song. That's something any kid who played Little League in the '80s knows all about, and Cameron does it in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off when they go to a Cubs game. RHCP are big sports fans, but most of their references are to basketball, particularly the Lakers.

Comments: 4

  • Canopyylove this song, kickass start to the album
  • Nikola from Banja Luka, Bosnia And Herzegovinathe line(s)
    "Not another
    Motherf--kin' politician
    Doin' nothin' but something
    For his own ambition"
    were taken from Politician (Mini Rap), which is a ~12 second song they wrote, it was released as a b-side to Higher Ground.
  • Grayson from Cleveland, Ohgreat song. flea's bass is unbelievable.
  • Emitremmus from Desolation Row, United Stateslisten to "Hitler day" by public enemy
    great tune very powerful lyrics
see more comments

Editor's Picks

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

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)."

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."