Venice Queen

Album: By The Way (2002)
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Songfacts®:

  • Anthony Kiedis wrote this about Gloria Scott, a drug councilor who died of cancer. Like Kiedis, Scott was a recovering heroin addict and they became friends. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sarah - London, Canada
  • Gloria Scott was a heroin addict and when she passed away, she had 22 years of recovery from addiction. She worked as a drug counselor at Cri-Help in North Hollywood, California and lived in Venice. She helped thousands recover from addiction. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Liz - Venice Beach, CA - Scott was Liz' counselor in 1983

Comments: 14

  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganI learnt the guitar riff to this song by accident just messin' around one day. It's NOT finger picked, he uses a flat pick. But yeah there are at least 2 guitars in the song, live John starts it on an electric and then switches to an acoustic mounted on a rack (watch the video). Anyway, great song, great album. Peace out.
  • Robert from Aberdeen, United Kingdom@Emlyn Anthony gives John lyrics to sing as backing, so "you saved my life" is coming from Kiedis, but John is singing it.
  • Brendan from Cleveland , Tngloria inspired anthony to truely become clean!so he wrote her this song!she was a counselor not a girlfriend!read scar tissue!
  • Harry from Leeds, United Kingdomdrew from Charleston you are wrong he even says in his book that its about gloria scott thats why the lyric is G-L-O-R-I-A
  • Emlyn from Southampton, United KingdomJust wondering, is John singing "you saved my life" as the harmony vocals?
  • Drew from Charleston, ScActually it's about Anthony's Girlfrien who he bought a house for in Venice Beach but she died
  • Callum from Chester, EnglandIt is the chili's best song the way it is stuctured and crafted maybe not the most catchy or famous but just pure musical genius
  • Corey from Nashua, NhUmm i hope everyone knows anthony lists the meaning in his book "Scar Tissue" i like the live SLane Castle version alot too.
  • Louise from Durhamsuch a moving song. chillis r best xxx
  • Danno from Sussex, EnglandThe acousitc and lyrics at the end is so melodic... im glad i learnt it, replicating the Chili Peppers music is a dream. Gloria Scott is reffered to as Venice queen because, just before she passed away they bought her a house on Venice Beach...

    I love you flea and want your babies :P
  • Delux Fender from Zagreb, CroatiaGloria Scott helped Anthony get off the drugs after Hillel failed to recover from his heroin addict.
  • Marko from Melbourne, Australia"it sounds like two guitars going not one." well there are two guitars in the song, but frusciante still did absolutely awesome such a touching song and i love it when they play live and at the end kiedes always says "goodbye, so long" oh just such a good song
  • Mistik from Sydney, Australiano.. she was addicted before but got clean and then started councilling other addicts. It was said that Anthony would probably only listen to her and gave him really good advice.. it goes like um. a person's at their best state when the're giving, Before reading Scar tissue .. i actually thought it was about Yohanna Logan and moving to Venice in Europe.. thats what i had pictured in my head. "you tought me most of what i know" thats true because she helped him out spiritually and i think he started just praying due to what she had said. "G.L.O.R.I.A is love my friend" beautiful song and John's finger picking at the begining is real nice, it sounds like two guitars going not one. its awesome!
  • Sarah from London, CanadaActually, Gloria Scott WAS NOT a herion addict, she was a conciller that helped Anthony Kiedis threw his addiction. They became very good friends during this time. I'm pretty sure she is refured to as "Venice Queen" in this song because Kiedis bought a home for her over looking Venice Beach. Beautiful song!!!
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