Album: Californication (1999)

License This Song 

• Dusting off your savior
  Well, you were always my favorite
  Always my man, all in a hand
  To celebrate you is greater
  Now that I can
  Always my man
  Now you see what I came for
  No one here is to blame for
  Misunderstand, all in a hand
  Just like you 'cause you made me
  All that I am
  All in a hand
  
  A butterfly that flaps its wings affecting almost everything
  The more I hear the orchestra, the more I have something to bring
  And now I see you in a beautiful and different light
  He's just a man and any damage done will be alright
  
  Call (call out my name)
  Out my name
  (Call and I came)
  Call (call out my name)
  And I came
  (Call and I came)
  
  Dusting off your savior
  Forgiving any behavior
  He's just a man, all in a hand
  Your hero's destined to waver
  Anyone can
  Always my man
  I would never betray you
  Look at me who could raise you, face in the sand
  Safe in your hand
  You were always my favorite
  Always my man
  All in a hand
  
  We are the Red Hots and we're loving up the love-me-nots
  The flowers in your flower pots are dancing on the table tops
  And now I see you in a beautiful and different light
  He's just a man and everything he does will be alright
  
  Call (call out my name)
  Out my name
  (Call and I came)
  Call (call out my name)
  And I came
  (Call and I came)
  
  Dusting off your savior
  The life that you have narrated
  You were my man Writer/s: Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith, John Anthony Frusciante, Michael Peter Balzary
  Publisher: Hipgnosis Songs Group, Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 11

• Melissa from Manaus Am BrazilOh i love this song, it's so emotional and beautiful. It is about a father who is full of flaws according to the world but to his kid (Kiedis) is the closest friend, the coolest, best man alive. This is an hymn to the humanity on our parents, how they are allowed to be themselves including in their worst as long as they are there for their kids.
• Chris Portugal from Scottsdale, AzIt's about his dad, Blackie Dammet
• Charles from México I first listened this song a long time ago as a child. Now that I’m a man and pay attention I thought this song was about God. You know he being the savior and saying every man damage will be alright.
• Carl L. from HoustonInteresting to see the various comments, especially getting educated on AK relationship to father. Without any background or history I always thought it must be about JF returning to the band and how the resurrection of the band was possibly viewed as resurrecting that aspect of his life by AK. Best albums ever made?...yea I always thought so as I had almost no interest in RHCP until getting totally addicted to a few songs I heard and buying a cassette. I wore that sucker out! still MUST listen to the whole album several times a year, especially this song!
• Natalie from GeorgiaLet’s get this cleared up because everyone seems to be on different pages about this song. Literally. I don’t know where you people are getting your evidence, but... first of all, this is a Red Hot Chili Peppers song. Not a Gordon Smith song. Second of all, this is not about Hillel Slovak or John Frusciante. This is about Anthony Kiedis’ father Blackie Dammet. Blackie tends to blame himself for Anthony’s drug addiction, as Anthony was first introduced to drugs by the unconventional life that his father offered him in Hollywood. His father was a massive drug dealer to all sorts of Hollywood movie stars and musicians. Anthony first smoked weed with his father at age 12, and by age 13 or 14 he was already doing cocaine regularly with his father, and was also introduced to White China heroin by his father at age 14 which later influenced his decision to continue using heroin a few years later, igniting decades of life-threatening heroin/cocaine/crack addiction. Anthony wrote this song to his father, clarifying that he still holds Blackie in the highest respect and nothing that Anthony put himself through is to blame on Blackie. Anthony and his father were partners in crime (literally) back when Anthony was in middle and high school, believing that his father was one of the most incredible men alive. This song revamps that ideal, saying that Anthony never lost that respect for Blackie, despite Blackie’s introduction to the life of drug abuse to Anthony.
• Colton from Concord, CaOk it is definitely about his father as was previously stated. As far as this strange Gordon Smith writer goes, with some research I was able to confirm that it is likely a mistake the lyric websites made. There is apparently a rock band called "Kevin Coyn" in which Gordon Smith is a member. They wrote a song in the mid 70's that is titled "Saviour" and it actually WAS written by Gordon Smith. The songs have nothing else in common what so ever, but that is the only Gordon Smith who is a famous lyricist. I doubt he wrote a second song with the same title but American English spelling, just for RHCP, but I guess it's possible.
• Bob from Farmington Hills, MiThis was written by Gordon Smith... not a RHCP unless it's one of the guy's real names. So while AK may apply it to the situation with his dad, John, or Hillel, I don't think anyone can say it is *about* any of them specifically.
• Umy from Hh, GermanyDefinitly about Blackie, hos father. Watch this video, his father reads out the lyrics and even starts to cry while explaining them to the audience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK6wzwjyfrs&feature=related
• Martin from Brisbane, Australiai reckon this song has gotta be about John Frusciante returning to the band. 'dusting off your saviour' is sort of a tribute saying hes come back to save the band after the commercial failure that was 'one hot minute'. californication is one of the best albums ever made in my books and will surely get more credit as it gets older. when you think about how frusciante came back to the band after all the s--t he went through with addiction and depression, and all the other troubles the chili's had, they really poured so much emotion and passion into this one. stellar song.
• Matt from Ipswich, United KingdomIt's actually about his father, and how A.K can forgive him for past indiscretions, because he see's his father's intentions, not his actions, and that everybody makes mistakes.
• Johnny from Los Angeles, CaDefinitely about Hillel. The song talks about how every man has his flaws, but Hillel's led him to his end.

More Songfacts:

The Great PretenderThe Platters

The Pretenders are named after the 1956 song "The Great Pretender" by The Platters.

WonderwallOasis

Oasis didn't coin the term "Wonderwall." It's the title of a 1968 movie with a soundtrack by George Harrison. It was Harrison's soundtrack that got the band's attention.

Chelsea DaggerThe Fratellis

The Fratellis song "Chelsea Dagger" was named for their lead singer's wife - it was her burlesque name.

MusclesDiana Ross

Michael Jackson wrote the Diana Ross hit "Muscles," which he named after his pet boa constrictor.

Invisible TouchGenesis

The Genesis song "Invisible Touch" was inspired by the Prince-written Sheila E. track "The Glamorous Life."

No More I Love You'sAnnie Lennox

The Annie Lennox hit "No More I Love You's" is a cover, originally sung by a man.

Editor's Picks

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

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."