Johnny, Kick A Hole In The Sky

Album: Mother's Milk (1989)
Play Video
  • I saw a star spangled banner yet wave

    I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I cry, I cry
    I was born in a land, I don't think you understand
    God damn, what I am
    I'm a native of this place, please don't kick me in my face
    My race has been disgraced

    Won't somebody testify kick a hole right in the sky
    (Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
    Slap a liar in his eye, kick a hole right in the sky
    (Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
    Johnny, Johnny, Johnny

    I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I wonder why, why
    Put us in your pumpkin shell
    Where you keep us very well
    It's hell, where I dwell

    When history books are full of shit
    I become the anarchist, I'm pissed at this
    What this country claims to be
    It's a lie, no place for me, I bleed

    Won't somebody testify kick a hole right in the sky
    (Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
    Slap a liar in his eye, kick a hole right in the sky
    (Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
    Johnny, Johnny, Johnny

    I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I decide to defy
    Kill my trust if you must, but in my blood there is the lust
    For life, that's right
    Apache blood is in my heart, thrashing through me like a shark
    Crashing through the dark

    Won't somebody testify kick a hole right in the sky
    (Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
    Slap a liar in his eye, kick a hole right in the sky
    (Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
    Johnny, Johnny, Johnny

    I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I confide, confide
    What am I supposed to do, I feel like I'm cut in two
    Confused by rules
    Do these two cultures clash or am I living in the past?
    I ask, please, tell me fast

    Won't somebody testify kick a hole right in the sky
    (Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
    Slap a liar in his eye, kick a hole right in the sky
    (Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
    Johnny, Johnny, Johnny

    I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I thats right
    To what do I belong and if I change will I be wrong
    Be wrong, thats wrong
    I took my foot and kicked a hole in the sky
    I proceeded to plead, forefathers, help me decide

    A jagged flash of light struck me in the eye
    I turned around and found that I was still alive
    Snakes rise high from the purple black sky
    The red cloud rains and the black horse rides

    Then it dawned on me like the mornin' sun
    I'm a part of two worlds and the mornin' comes
    Glowing embers tend to remember when
    The power that is peace was treated as a friend
    I am a master of adaption and I've got to take action
    I'm a man, the animal man Writer/s: ANTHONY KIEDIS, CHAD SMITH, JOHN FRUSCIANTE, MICHAEL BALZARY
    Publisher: Hipgnosis Songs Group, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Eloquentracer92 from Why Do I Have To Put A Location?It’s odd how this song appears on the first greatest hits album (it’s called What Hits?!, the second greatest hits album is way more well known and is simply called Greatest Hits) yet it’s never been performed live. This is one of my top 3 RHCP songs and my favorite from Mother’s Milk.
  • Alec from Yorktown Heights, NyEven though this is a bit of a fan favorite and the subject matter of the lyrics is something the band would be passionate about, the song has never once been played live for unknown reasons, not even on the tour to support the album of its origin. Though it is sometimes teased or used as an intro to other songs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Wolfgang Van Halen

Wolfgang Van HalenSongwriter Interviews

Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the songs on his debut album, Mammoth WVH, and names the definitive Van Halen songs from the Sammy and Dave eras.