Tippa My Tongue

Album: Return of the Dream Canteen (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Tippa My Tongue" is a trippy love song with ambiguous lyrics and drug references. The title phrase is a double entendre. It references ingesting LSD (acid).

    Acid landing on my tongue
    I think you know we've just begun


    Acid users typically place the psychedelic drug on the tip of the tongue before swallowing it.

    "Tippa My Tongue" also alludes to oral sex:

    We've only just begun
    Funky monks are on the run
    Gonna get you with the tip of my tongue


    Vocalist Anthony Kiedis throws in a reference to the Chili Peppers' track "Funky Monks" from their 1991 Blood Sugar Sex Magik album.
  • While Kiedis had major drug addiction problems in the past, he's been clean since 2000. The singer's references to his affinity for LSD recall Chili Peppers tracks of yore, while its funk-rock sound is also reminiscent of their early years. "There's a lot of different things in there. To me it's got a bunch of hooks in it," drummer Chad Smith told Billboard. "It's got P-Funk in it. I hear George (Clinton in it), and some Hendrixy kind of licks. It's a nice gumbo."
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers released "Tippa My Tongue" as the first single from Return of the Dream Canteen on August 19, 2022. The band recorded it during the same sessions as their previous studio album, Unlimited Love. Rick Rubin produced both sets. "I thought that would be a good first cone to come out from that (album)," said Smith. "It sounds like us, but new. I think that's cool."
  • The trippy video takes place in a psychedelic world filled with Technicolor hues. Malia James directed the visual - he also helmed the band's clip for "These Are The Ways." It features animation from Julien Calemard and Thami Nabil.
  • Tippa My Tongue climbed to the top of Billboard's Rock & Alternative Airplay chart. It was Red Hot Chili Peppers' fourth #1 on the tally, following "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" in 2011, "Dark Necessities" in 2016, and "Black Summer" earlier in 2022.

Comments: 1

  • Dj from OhA third meaning for tip of my tongue is referring to his lyrics and vocals. Funky monks is the band
    and

    We've only just begun
    Funky monks are on the run
    I'm gonna get you with the tip of my tongue
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mick Jones of Foreigner

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 Hay

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 Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

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

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

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

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

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 Priest

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'."