Frusciante joined the Chili Peppers at the age of 18 after the death of guitarist Hillel Slovak, and first appeared on their album Mother's Milk (1989). His second album with the band, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991), was their breakthrough success. Overwhelmed by the band's newfound popularity, he quit in 1992. He became a recluse and entered a period of heroin addiction, during which he released his first solo recordings: Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt (1994) and Smile from the Streets You Hold (1997). In 1998, he completed drug rehabilitation and rejoined the Chili Peppers, taking them to major success with their albums Californication (1999), By the Way (2002) and Stadium Arcadium (2006). He left the Red Hot Chili Peppers again in 2009 to focus on solo work, and rejoined in 2019.
Frusciante's solo work encompasses genres including experimental rock, ambient music and electronica. He released six albums in 2004, each exploring different genres and recording techniques. In 2009, Frusciante released The Empyrean, which features Chili Peppers bassist Flea and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Frusciante also releases acid house under the alias Trickfinger. With Klinghoffer and Joe Lally, he has released two albums as Ataxia.
Frusciante was named one of the greatest guitarists by Rolling Stone and Gibson, and in a BBC poll. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2012.
Frusciante's musical style has evolved over the course of his career. Although he received moderate recognition for his early guitar work, it was not until later in his career that music critics and guitarists alike began to fully recognize it: in October 2003, he was ranked eighteenth in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Frusciante attributes this recent recognition to his shift in focus, stating that he chose an approach based on rhythmic patterns inspired by the complexity of material Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen produced. On earlier records, however, much of his output was influenced by various underground punk and new wave musicians.
In general, his sound is also defined by an affinity for vintage guitars. All the guitars that he owns, records, and tours with were made before 1970. Frusciante uses the specific guitar that he finds appropriate for a certain song. All of the guitars he owned before quitting the band were destroyed when his house burned down in 1996. The first guitar he bought after rejoining the Chili Peppers was a 1962 red Fender Jaguar. His most-often used guitar, however, is a 1961 Sunburst Fender Stratocaster that was given to him as a gift from Anthony Kiedis after Frusciante rejoined the Chili Peppers in 1998. He has played this guitar on every album since rejoining the Chili Peppers, and their ensuing tours. He also owns a 1955 Fender Stratocaster, his only Strat with a maple fretboard. Frusciante's most highly appraised instrument is a 1955 Gretsch White Falcon, which he used twice per show for the songs Californication and Otherside. Since 2006, he only uses it for the latter song, saying there was "no room for it", preferring multiple Stratocasters for the Stadium Arcadium tour. Virtually all of Frusciante's acoustic work is played with a 1950s Martin 0–15.
After leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he switched to using a Yamaha SG as his primary guitar for his solo work. "With the Yamaha SG, I could play along with guitar players who were playing, say, Les Pauls, and feel like the sound matched what I was hearing on the record. ... People like Robert Fripp, Mick Ronson, Tony Iommi, and particularly John McGeoch from Siouxsie and the Banshees, who played a Yamaha SG, which is why I bought one in the first place". Frusciante has also noted his increased use of the Roland MC-202 for his electronic music, saying that he was at the point "where I thought as much like a 202ist as I did a guitarist ..." The MC-202 has been his primary melodic instrument in his electronic music.
With the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Frusciante provided backing vocals in a falsetto tenor, a style he started on Blood Sugar Sex Magik. He thoroughly enjoyed his role in the Chili Peppers as backing vocalist, and said that backing vocals are a "real art form". Despite his commitment to the Chili Peppers, he felt that his work with the band should remain separate from his solo projects. When he returned to the Chili Peppers in 1998, Kiedis wanted the band to record "Living in Hell", a song Frusciante had written several years before. Frusciante refused, feeling that the creative freedom he needed for his solo projects would have conflicted with his role in the band.
God
John Frusciante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the idea of dying but you'll just have to see
You can do what you want or so you think
But til you stop all your thoughts
You are ties to your surroundings
When the fog spreads out in the rainy season
It comes from my insides
When the thunderous lightning strikes down
People
You blaspheme my name
But still I love you
Still I love you
I love you just the same
I hear all your prayers because I'm each one of you
Creations not something I did
It's something that I do
The reason for the bad is so there'd be such thing as good
Oh I'd do anything for you
You all know I would
Be for me
Be for me
Be for me
Before me
Before me
Before me
You know that I try to repair and repay
As life goes by a thousand times
It gets a little better
All is belief, All is belief, All is belief, All is belief
The song "God" by John Frusciante is a philosophical take on life and death, and the nature of existence. The first verse talks about building something just to watch it fall apart, referencing the idea of dying, and pointing out the futility of our actions in the grand scheme of things. The chorus is a message of love and understanding from a higher power (possibly God) to humanity, despite all of the blasphemy and wrongdoing committed in its name. The second verse discusses the concept of creation not being a one-time event but something ongoing and ever-changing. The repetitious use of "All is belief" is a nod to the idea that neither good nor evil is real, but just a construct our minds create.
The lyrics of "God" are introspective and contemplative, questioning the purpose of our existence and the role of a higher power in it all. Frusciante's poetic and ambiguous language leaves much room for interpretation, but the message of love and acceptance in the face of life's many challenges is clear.
Line by Line Meaning
So each day would be new I build you to sleep
Every day is an opportunity for a fresh start in life, and the act of sleeping is like surrendering all past burdens and becoming a new person.
That's the idea of dying but you'll just have to see
The concept of dying is similar to the idea of sleeping and waking up as a new person, but it's uncertain until experienced.
You can do what you want or so you think
People often believe they have total control over their actions and destiny.
But til you stop all your thoughts
But until you achieve inner peace and silence your mind's constant chatter and judgments,
You are tied to your surroundings
you will always be limited by external circumstances and influences that trap you in a certain lifestyle or mindset.
When the fog spreads out in the rainy season
When a dense fog covers everything during the rainy autumn season,
It comes from my insides
It originates from within me, suggesting that Frusciante is a source of natural elements and weather patterns.
When the thunderous lightning strikes down
When a brilliant bolt of lightning illuminates the sky with its loud thunder,
You're seeing your real I
You're finally seeing your true self, free from societal pressures or illusions, and connecting to a universal force.
People, you blaspheme my name
People often use John Frusciante's name or reputation in vain, disregarding his authentic message and artistry.
But still I love you
Despite the disrespect and misunderstanding, the artist shows unconditional love and compassion to his listeners.
Still I love you
It's a repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the sincerity of the message.
I love you just the same
Regardless of each listener's background, identity, or religion, the artist views them equally and loves them unconditionally.
I hear all your prayers because I'm each one of you
The artist empathizes with his audience and recognizes their unique struggles, hopes, and beliefs as his own.
Creation's not something I did
Frusciante doesn't see himself as a creator or an authority figure over his art, but rather a conduit for divine inspiration and creativity.
It's something that I do
Creating music is an inherent part of his identity and being, rather than a mere job or hobby.
The reason for the bad is so there'd be such thing as good
Evil, pain, or suffering are necessary counterparts to goodness, joy, and peace, and they help to define each other.
Oh, I'd do anything for you
The artist is willing to go above and beyond to help and support his listeners, even if it means sacrificing his personal time or resources.
Be for me
Be for me
Be for me
Before me
Before me
Before me
This phrase could have various interpretations, but it could mean a plea to the audience to be present and supportive of the artist's work, or to recognize his creative influence and legacy.
You know that I try to repair and repay
Frusciante acknowledges his past mistakes and regrets and tries to make amends through his art and personal growth.
As life goes by a thousand times
Throughout the ups and downs of life and the numerous experiences one can have, growing and changing are constant processes.
It gets a little better
There's always hope for improvement and healing, no matter how challenging or hopeless a situation may seem.
All is belief
All is belief
All is belief
All is belief
This phrase could have multiple interpretations, but it could mean that everything in life depends on one's perception, attitude, and faith. Believing in oneself or a higher power can shape one's reality and purpose.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN ANTHONY FRUSCIANTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
funky lentil
So each day would be new I build you to sleep
That's the idea of dying but you'll just have to see
You can do what you want or so you think
But til you stop all your thoughts
You are tied to your surroundings
When the fog spreads out in the rainy season
It comes from my insides
When the thunderous lightning strikes down
You're seeing your real eye
People
You blaspheme my name
But still I love you
Still I love you
I love you just the same
I hear all your prayers because I'm each one of you
Creations not something I did
It's something that I do
The reason for the bad is so there'd be such thing as good
Oh I'd do anything for you
You all know I would
Be for me
Be for me
Be for me
Before me
Before me
Before me
You know that I try to repair and repay
As life goes by a thousand times
It gets a little better
All is belief, All is belief
... Yay
All is belief, All is belief
Anas Ettaik
So each day would be new I build you to sleep
That's the idea of dying but you'll just have to see
You can do what you want or so you think
But til you stop all your thoughts
You are ties to your surroundings
When the fog spreads out in the rainy season
It comes from my insides
When the thunderous lightning strikes down
You're seeing your real I
People
You blaspheme my name
But still I love you
Still I love you
I love you just the same
I hear all your prayers because I'm each one of you
Creations not something I did
It's something that I do
The reason for the bad is so there'd be such thing as good
Oh I'd do anything for you
You all know I would
Be for me
Be for me
Be for me
Before me
Before me
Before me
You know that I try to repair and repay
As life goes by a thousand times
It gets a little better
All is belief, All is belief, All is belief, All is belief
William Devonshire
the part where he says “be for me, before me” is such a cool play on words
austinandzekesstuff
I think this is the greatest music ever. John Frusciante in my opinion, is the greatest musician of all time. because the worlds view of music is perverted, he will never be given an award for his music, but me and other JF fans know that know one can ever come close to the beauty and emotion that John Frusciante captures. He is beautiful. He is the best. Period
Ashley Taylor
@Sergey Solomakhin I don't personally see believing / not believing in God as necessarily related to a belief in fate or *destiny*. To me they are very different things, so saying that someone's birth or life has purpose doesn't mean you can't be an atheist. I find that a person's fate or destiny doesn't necessarily have anything to do with God / no God.
I hope I'm not offending, I just found your comment intriguing. :)
Pedro Dias
Well said!!
Jaden Oasis
You are absolutely correct my friend.
Muhamed Omerkic
najbolji
Sergey Solomakhin
He was born to write things like that. Although I'm an atheist, I catch myself sometimes thinking that some people's birth has purpose.
Lucy s
this song is way too short... one of the most beautiful pieces of music i've ever listened to.
All seeing eye
Leaves you wanting more.
Sid Arthur
that's life. roll out the next beautiful thing