The first single from the album Californication. It was the first single to feature the return of guitarist John Frusciante, who left the band in 1992 after the release of their breakthrough album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. He returned to the band for the recording of Californication.
The song spent 16 consecutive weeks atop the US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart as well as 10 weeks atop the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and it reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2000.
03. Scar Tissue
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sarcastic mister know-it-all
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, 'cause
With the birds I'll share
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
Push me up against the wall
Young Kentucky girl in a push-up bra
Fallin' all over myself
To lick your heart and taste your health 'cause
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
With the birds I'll share this lonely view
Blood loss in a bathroom stall
A southern girl with a scarlet drawl
I wave goodbye to ma and pa
'Cause with the birds I'll share
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
Soft spoken with a broken jaw
Step outside but not to brawl and
Autumn's sweet, we call it fall
I'll make it to the moon if I have to crawl and
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
With the birds I'll share this lonely view
Sarcastic mister know-it-all
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, 'cause
With the birds I'll share
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
With the birds I'll share this lonely viewin'
With the birds I'll share this lonely view
"Scar Tissue" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 1999. The lyrics of the song express the feeling of loneliness and isolation that comes with dealing with emotional pain. The first verse talks of "scar tissue that I wish you saw," referring to the emotional scars that the singer carries and wishes others would understand. The second verse talks about an encounter with a young Kentucky girl and the singer's desire to taste her "health," meaning that the singer wants to be close to her and feel alive again. The third verse tells the story of a Southern girl with a "scarlet drawl" and the singer's desire to escape from his past and start anew.
The refrain, "With the bird I'll share this lonely view," is a metaphor for the singer's companionship with birds, which can be seen as symbols of freedom, but also of loneliness. In times of distress, the singer feels a connection with these creatures and shares the same "lonely view" that they do. The song's lyrics express the desire to escape from one's pain and find some sort of solace in nature or companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
Scar tissue that I wish you saw
I have scars that I wish you could see and understand the pain I have been through.
Sarcastic Mister know it all
I am being sarcastic towards someone who thinks they know everything.
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you 'cause
I want to show my affection towards you by kissing you.
With the bird I'll share
I will share my thoughts and emotions with a bird, as it is a metaphor for freedom and release.
With the bird I'll share, this lonely view
I will share my feelings of loneliness and isolation with the bird, as we both see the same view.
Push me up against the wall
I want to be pushed up against the wall to express my desire for someone.
Young Kentucky girl in a push-up bra
I am attracted to a young girl from Kentucky wearing a push-up bra, showcasing her beauty and seductive nature.
Fallin' all over myself
I am infatuated with this woman to the point where I am stumbling over my words and actions.
To lick your heart and taste your health 'cause
I want to show my love for her by metaphorically tasting her heart and health, emphasizing how much I care for her well-being.
Blood loss in a bathroom stall
I have suffered blood loss in a bathroom stall, representing a dark and traumatic experience.
Southern girl with a scarlet drawl
I am talking about a southern girl with a distinct accent, emphasizing her unique qualities.
Wave goodbye to ma and pa 'cause
I have to separate myself from my family and the past to move on with my life and pursue my own journey.
Soft spoken with a broken jaw
I am a soft-spoken person despite having a broken jaw, emphasizing my resilience and ability to stay calm in the face of adversity.
Step outside but not to brawl
I am leaving a situation to avoid a fight, showing my sense of control and non-violent nature.
Autumn's sweet we call it fall
I am using a metaphor to describe the beauty of fall and how it represents a sweet transition in life.
I'll make it to the moon if I have to crawl
I am determined to reach my goals, even if it means going through tough times and persevering through hardship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael Peter Balzary, John Anthony Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheCarlylePodcast
My Dad’s funeral song. Today is his 58th birthday, the first without him. I miss you Dad.
@cerealkilla8930
I'm sorry. My Dad was 56. I'd like to say it gets easier but the truth is I just learned to live with it. Smile when you can and remember him fondly. ❤
@itssjp1458
This song came on, on my way home from work. RIP life is short.
@xacto5208
Im sorry bro he's smiling down
@przemekkropornicki8845
RIP
In God we trust.
Day by Day is closer. You will see your father again. For ages.
Only LOVE is important :)
@ryankelly9543
Hope your doing well he would be proud of you
@cocoxo7873
I honestly think this may be the greatest Red Hot Chili Peppers song of all time. Obviously they have plenty of other insanely good songs, but there's just something special about Scar Tissue. The lyrics, the guitar solos (especially the last one), the meaning behind this song (knowing everything the band went through right before this time). It's beautiful.
@ToWnHeAdAARON123
What did they go through?
@malcolmboyd3467
+LingLing MemeKing Alot if drugs. Especially john who nearly died
@WBOWLER126
Malcolm Boyd Not to mention Hillel who DID die.