If You Have to Ask
Red Hot Chili Peppers/Musicfire.in Lyrics


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A want to be gangster
Thinkin' he's a wise guy
Rob another bank
He's a sock 'em in the eye guy
Tank head
Mr. Bonnie and Clyde guy
Look him in the eye
He's not my kinda guy
Never be
Confusion proof
Pudding's sweet
But too aloof
Orange eye girl
With a backslide dew said
Yo homie
Who you talkin' to
A backed up paddywagon
Mackin' on a cat's ass
One upper cut
To the cold upper middle class
Born to storm
On boredom's face
And a little lust
To the funky ass flea bass
Most in the race
Just lose their grace
The blackest hole
In all of space
Crooked as a hooker
Now suck my thumb
Anybody want to come get some

If you have to ask
You'll never know
Funky motherfuckers
Will not be told to go

If you have to ask
You'll never know
Funky motherfuckers
Will not be told to go

Don't ask me why
I'm flyin' so high
Mr. Bubble meets superfly
In my third eye
Searchin' for a soul bride
She's my freakette
Soak it up inside
Deeper than a secret
Much more
Than meets the eye
To the funk
I fall into my new ride
My hand my hand
Magic on the one
Is a medicine man
Thinkin' of a few
Taboos that I ought to kill
Dancin' on their face
Like a stage on vaudeville

I feel so good
Can't be understood
Booty of a hoodlum
Rockin' my red hood

If you have to ask
You'll never know
Funky motherfuckers
Will not be told to go

If you have to ask
You'll never know




Funky motherfuckers
Will not be told to go

Overall Meaning

The song “If You Have to Ask” by Red Hot Chili Peppers is a high-energy, funky song that celebrates the spirit of free-spirited individualism. The lyrics are full of clever wordplay and attitude, and they paint a picture of a wild and exciting world where anything is possible. The opening lines describe a wannabe gangster who robs banks and gets into fights, but the singer quickly makes it clear that this kind of person is not for him.


Throughout the song, the singer celebrates his own unique perspective and attitude, exclaiming that “funky motherfuckers will not be told to go” and challenging anyone who questions his behavior or beliefs. He describes himself as “deeper than a secret” and “rockin’ my red hood,” reveling in his own individuality and independence.


The song is ultimately a celebration of the power of funk music to inspire and uplift, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers bring all their trademark energy and virtuosity to bear on this classic track.


Line by Line Meaning

A want to be gangster
Someone who wants to be a part of a gang and act tough


Thinkin' he's a wise guy
Thinking that he's smart and clever


Rob another bank
Steal from another bank


He's a sock 'em in the eye guy
He's the type to attack and fight with violence


Tank head
A person with a large and strong build


Mr. Bonnie and Clyde guy
A person who is like Bonnie and Clyde - a notorious criminal duo


Look him in the eye
To meet someone's gaze directly


He's not my kinda guy
I am not interested in being associated with him


Never be
It will never happen


Confusion proof
Something that cannot be misunderstood or unclear


Pudding's sweet
Something that is enjoyable or pleasurable


But too aloof
But also unapproachable or distant


Orange eye girl
A girl with orangish eyes


With a backslide dew said
She commented with a backwards slide in her tone


Yo homie
A greeting to a close or familiar friend


Who you talkin' to
Who are you addressing or speaking to?


A backed up paddywagon
A police van that is full of prisoners


Mackin' on a cat's ass
Flirting with or pursuing someone aggressively


One upper cut
A punch thrown from below, targeting the chin or jaw


To the cold upper middle class
To the wealthy, prestigious and aloof people


Born to storm
Born to face and challenge difficulties


On boredom's face
In the midst of boredom


And a little lust
With some sexual desire or attraction


To the funky ass flea bass
To the funky and catchy music


Most in the race
Most of the people racing or competing


Just lose their grace
They fail to maintain their poise or composure


The blackest hole
The darkest and most dreadful situation


In all of space
In the biggest possible context


Crooked as a hooker
Very untrustworthy and immoral


Now suck my thumb
Now do something that is ridiculous or submissive


Anybody want to come get some
Anyone want to face me or fight me?


If you have to ask
If you don't already know


You'll never know
You won't ever find out or understand


Funky motherfuckers
People with a funky and cool attitude


Will not be told to go
Will not be ordered to leave or move


Don't ask me why
I cannot explain the reason


I'm flyin' so high
I feel very euphoric and happy


Mr. Bubble meets superfly
A juxtaposition of an innocent character (Mr. Bubble) with a cool and stylish one (Superfly)


In my third eye
In my mind's eye or spiritual perception


Searchin' for a soul bride
Looking for a deep and meaningful connection with someone


She's my freakette
A woman who is unique and extraordinary in a good way


Soak it up inside
Absorb and enjoy the moment


Deeper than a secret
More profound and meaningful than a mere secret


Much more
A lot more


Than meets the eye
More than what is visible or apparent


To the funk
To the funky rhythm and music


I fall into my new ride
I immerse myself into the new experience or venture


My hand my hand
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm


Magic on the one
The feeling of being in the groove and synchronized musically


Is a medicine man
Referring to a Native American shaman or healer


Thinkin' of a few
Considering a few things


Taboos that I ought to kill
The traditional and cultural restrictions that I should disregard or overcome


Dancin' on their face
Flouting the taboos in a bold and confrontational manner


Like a stage on vaudeville
Like a theatrical performance on a vaudeville stage


I feel so good
I feel great and satisfied


Can't be understood
Cannot be fully comprehended or explained


Booty of a hoodlum
Slang expression for very attractive buttocks


Rockin' my red hood
Wearing my red hoodie




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., MoeBeToBlame
Written by: MICHAEL BALZARY, JOHN ANTHONY FRUSCIANTE, ANTHONY KIEDIS, CHAD SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@user-yz4jo8uk6w

The fact that the producers told rhcp to try & calm down the crowd & they come out and play this is fucking savage 😂

@ARO323

Absolutely the best fuck you they could have given to ‘the man’ 🤣

@user-mk6rg6ef8s

This is not true, the song was on the original setlist, and Hendrix's relatives asked to play a song in his honor.

@ClickToPreview

I was there in the crowd. Maybe it was on the setlist, but it pretty much happened on cue then (!) as morons had lit the outer barrier of the venue on fire a few minutes earlier.

@neshnevin9786

This video is just overwhelming. A massive fire in the audience and Flea playing completely in the nude while the whole band plays an impeccable cover of one of Jimmy Hendrix's best songs.

@jeremypr

100%, so epic. rock n roll

@gioravalico550

agreed. seriously one of the best rock'n'roll videos on youtube. 2:46 of pure juice.. this belongs in a museum.

@km6xu

@@jeremypr, yep, this one definitely "goes to eleven." :)

@renansantos5965

closer to the 2000 year. This is a moment in history that never will happen something similar.

@Scramble4r

I was there!

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