Under The Bridge
BEDROOM - Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
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Sometimes I feel like my only friend
Is the city I live in, the city of angels
Lonely as I am, together we cry
I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion
I walk through her hills 'cause she knows who I am
She sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy
Well, I never worry, now that is a lie
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
Yeah, yeah, yeah
It's hard to believe that there's nobody out there
It's hard to believe that I'm all alone
At least I have her love, the city, she loves me
Lonely as I am, together we cry
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, no, no-no, yeah, yeah
Love me, I say, yeah yeah
One time
(Under the bridge downtown)
Is where I drew some blood
(Under the bridge downtown)
I could not get enough
(Under the bridge downtown)
Forgot about my love
(Under the bridge downtown)
I gave my life away
Yeah, yeah
Oh, no, no-no-no, yeah, yeah
Oh, no, I said, oh, yeah, yeah
Where I stay
"Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers is a heartfelt and introspective song that delves into themes of loneliness, longing for connection, and finding solace in a familiar place. In the opening lines, the singer expresses feelings of isolation and lack of companionship, highlighting how at times they feel like they lack a true partner or friend. The reference to the city of angels, Los Angeles, as their only friend suggests a deep connection to the urban environment they inhabit.
The lyrics convey a sense of symbiotic relationship between the singer and the city, with the city serving as a silent witness to their actions and providing a sense of belonging. The mention of driving on the city streets and walking through its hills symbolizes a familiarity and comfort in their surroundings, with the city being portrayed as a source of understanding and acceptance. The idea that the city sees the singer's good deeds and kisses them windy speaks to a sense of validation and appreciation that the singer finds in their urban environment.
The chorus of the song expresses a desire to escape from past pain and hardships, longing to be taken to a place they love where they can find peace and emotional solace. The repetition of the lines "Take me to the place I love, take me all the way" underscores the yearning for a safe haven away from the emotional turmoil they have experienced. The singer's plea to be brought to a place they love suggests a need for emotional refuge and a break from the painful memories of the past.
The final verse of the song shifts towards a darker tone as the singer reflects on their struggles with substance abuse and self-destructive behavior. The references to drawing blood, seeking solace under the bridge, and giving their life away allude to a troubled past marked by addiction and desperation. Despite the somber tone, the chorus reiterates the desire for redemption and a return to a place of love and comfort. The repetition of the phrase "Under the bridge downtown" acts as a haunting refrain that underscores the singer's struggles and the search for healing and renewal. Overall, "Under the Bridge" is a poignant exploration of loneliness, connection, and the search for inner peace amidst personal turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner
Occasionally, I experience a sense of loneliness and lack of connection
Sometimes I feel like my only friend
At times, it seems like the city is my sole companion
Is the city I live in, the city of angels
This city, known as the city of angels, is where I reside
Lonely as I am, together we cry
Despite my feelings of isolation, the city and I share moments of sadness together
I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion
I navigate the city's streets as a way to feel connected to her
I walk through her hills 'cause she knows who I am
Strolling through the city's hills is a way for me to feel understood and recognized
She sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy
The city acknowledges my positive actions and rewards me with a gentle breeze
Well, I never worry, now that is a lie
Despite appearances, I actually have worries and concerns that I hide
I don't ever wanna feel
I never want to experience
Like I did that day
The way I felt on that particular day
Take me to the place I love
Bring me to the location that holds a special significance for me
Take me all the way
Take me there completely and fully
It's hard to believe that there's nobody out there
It's difficult to accept that I may be truly alone
It's hard to believe that I'm all alone
It's challenging to come to terms with the idea that I am completely by myself
At least I have her love, the city, she loves me
The city's affection is something I can hold onto, as it makes me feel loved
One time
Once in a while
(Under the bridge downtown)
(In a secluded spot beneath the city bridge)
Is where I drew some blood
Is where I inflicted harm upon myself
I could not get enough
I found myself craving more of this unhealthy behavior
Forgot about my love
Disregarded the love and connection I once felt
I gave my life away
I sacrificed parts of myself
Where I stay
Where I reside
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael Peter Balzary, John Anthony Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Si4mon
Imagine driving your boat through the canals of Amsterdam and suddenly you pass a tiny boat with Anthony Kiedis and John Frusciante casually singing Under the Bridge
Zac Baggett
I’d jump out and drowned just to make sure i would wake up.
M.L. Crow
And you have no idea who they are.
Marinus
@Rene de Bos Thanks for this contribution. However, I have to disagree. RHCP was only known by small groups of people as their hit 'Under the Bridge' was only officially released as a single in March 1992. Considering this footage is from 1991 we can safely say that the RHCP only gained a large following after the official release of their hit single that turned them into the global success they are now.
Yes, their album Blood Sugar Sex Magic did contain the song and is from 1991, but they weren't as well known before their single came out. So it's safe to say that most random people on the streets or on boats at that time had not heard of the RHCP at that time.
Under the bridge only appeared on the Dutch charts from 15-02-1992. It would be safe to say that before that moment they were mostly known in small audiences.
Joost van de Kieft
@Rene de Bos That’s new to me too, so thanks. Still, they wouldn’t be famous or mainstream enough for random people waking by to recognize the band, let alone to recognize a song they play live in public for the first time.
Rene de Bos
Context: the band played their first Dutch show in 1988 at the Paradiso and was broadcast live on radio by VPRO… same folks that did this documentary a year or so later you see this clip from. That radio show had a huge impact and RHCP was quite popular at the time, especially with the VPRO crowd.
t j
John’s muting is next level. His ability to only let the right notes ring out is so underrated because he makes it look so easy. The main riff in cant stop sounds simple but getting it perfect is no easy task if you play it the way he does with the open D
Cway-Cway
@Elmo Blatch Thanks Elmo :)
Elmo Blatch
It's really not that difficult. His genius is not in technique, but in formulating creative signature parts.
mackie mob
“We’ll be fine, we’ll be fine”
It’s amazing how it’s John, the 20 year old guitarist is reassuring AK that they will smash it, John’s first public acoustic version of this song on a boat on god knows what drugs in Amsterdam, and he knows it’s a breeze to him, he is one of the most talented guitarists ever. Wish he would release more music, but if he’s happy then I’m happy.