Anthony Kiedis has stated that in the lyrics for the verses he is telling about his journeys and his experiences on them, about being a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and living an extreme life. He also noted that Roberto Benigni's film Life Is Beautiful was a lyrical inspiration.
John Frusciante came up with the music for the song while playing at his house and told the other band members they would have to hear it but he had to play it with somebody because of its deceptive downbeat. Chad Smith kept time on the hi-hat while Frusciante played. Band members liked the outcome and Flea came up with his bass part.
The different final chorus originates from a request from Flea's daughter. While writing the album in Flea's garage his daughter would listen to their songs. At the time of writing, Kiedis was struggling to come up with lyrics for the songs, so just filled in with scat. When a final draft of the album was made and Flea's daughter listened to the final version, she was disappointed that the scat had been removed. So, on the final version of the song in the last chorus, the original demo recording was used instead.
When recording the song John Frusciante played a '66 Fender Jaguar which he had borrowed from their engineer Jim Scott. He played it through two Marshalls: a JTM 45 and a 100-watt SuperBass. Frusciante told that he liked Jaguars because of their "real cool cheap sound".
Flea played on a Modulus Flea Bass (Silver Flake) on the song. He also uses the Modulus in the music video.
Around the World
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rompin' and a-stompin' 'cause I'm in my prime
Born in the North and sworn to entertain ya
'Cause I'm down for the state of Pennsylvania
I try not to whine, but I must warn ya
'Bout the motherfuckin' girls from California
Alabama baby said, "Hallelujah"
Good God, girl, I wish I knew ya
I know, I know for sure
That life is beautiful around the world
Well, I know, I know it's you
You say, "Hello" and then I say, "I do"
Come back, baby, 'cause I'd like to say
I've been around the world, back from Bombay
Fox hole love, pie in your face
Livin' in and out of a big fat suitcase
Bonafide ride, step aside, Mike Johnson
Yes, I could, in the woods of Wisconsin
Wake up the cake, it's a lake, she's kissin' me
As they do when they do in Sicily
I know, I know for sure
That life is beautiful around the world
Well, I know, I know it's you
You say, "Hello" and then I say, "I do"
Where you wanna go? Who you wanna be?
What you wanna do? Just come with me
Oh, I saw God and I saw the fountains
You and me, girl, sittin' in the Swiss mountains
Me, oh my, oh, me and Guy O
Freer than a bird 'cause we're rockin' Ohio
Take a wife 'cause life is beautiful
I know, I know for sure
Ding, dang, dong, dong, ding, ding, dong, dong, ding, dang
Well, I know, I know it's you
Ding, dang, dong, dong, ding, ding, dong, dong, ding, dang
Mother Russia, do not suffer, I know you're bold enough
I've been around the world and I have seen your love
Well, I know, I know it's you
You say, "Hello" and then I say, "I do"
The Red Hot Chili Peppers' song "Around the World" is an energetic and exuberant ode to wanderlust and the pursuit of pleasure. The lyrics speak to a desire to explore and experience all that the world has to offer, whether it be through travel, romance, or simply letting loose and having a good time. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrical content, with lead singer Anthony Kiedis proclaiming "All around the world, we could make time / Rompin' and a-stompin' 'cause I'm in my prime."
Throughout the song, Kiedis name-checks various locations and regions, from his home state of Pennsylvania to the beaches of California and the mountains of Switzerland. Along the way, he encounters a range of characters, from "motherfucking girls from California" to a "Bonafide ride" named Mike Johnson. The chorus of the song serves as a declaration of the joy and beauty to be found in life, no matter where one goes or what adventures one undertakes.
One notable aspect of "Around the World" is its use of scat singing and onomatopoeic vocalizations, particularly in the bridge section where Kiedis repeatedly sings "ding, dang, dong, dong, ding, ding, dong, dong, ding, dang." This adds to the sense of playful spontaneity and improvisation that characterizes the track as a whole.
Overall, "Around the World" is a celebration of the wild and unpredictable nature of life, with its many highs and lows. It encourages listeners to embrace the journey and the experiences that come with it, no matter what obstacles may arise.
Line by Line Meaning
All around the world, we could make time
No matter where we are in the world, we can always find time to enjoy each other's company.
Rompin' and a-stompin' 'cause I'm in my prime
I'm feeling great and full of energy, ready to have fun and dance the night away.
Born in the North and sworn to entertain ya
I was born in the northern part of the United States and I'm committed to entertaining you.
'Cause I'm down for the state of Pennsylvania
I love the state of Pennsylvania and I'm happy to be from there.
I try not to whine, but I must warn ya
I don't want to complain, but I need to let you know about the difficult girls from California.
'Bout the motherfuckin' girls from California
I need to tell you about the troublesome girls from California.
Alabama baby said, "Hallelujah"
I met a girl from Alabama who exclaimed "Hallelujah" out of excitement or happiness.
Good God, girl, I wish I knew ya
I'm really interested in getting to know this girl better.
I know, I know for sure
I am confident and sure of my beliefs and feelings.
That life is beautiful around the world
Life is a beautiful experience that can be enjoyed no matter where we are in the world.
Well, I know, I know it's you
I know that you are the one for me.
You say, "Hello" and then I say, "I do"
Just a simple greeting from you is enough to make me fall in love with you.
Come back, baby, 'cause I'd like to say
I want you to come back to me so that I can express my feelings to you.
I've been around the world, back from Bombay
I've traveled far and wide, even to the city of Bombay and back.
Fox hole love, pie in your face
We have a playful and whimsical kind of love, like a game of hide-and-seek and a prank involving a pie in the face.
Livin' in and out of a big fat suitcase
My life involves a lot of traveling and living out of a suitcase, but it's worth it to see the beauty of the world.
Bonafide ride, step aside, Mike Johnson
I have a legitimate and impressive way of traveling and I'm asking Mike Johnson to move out of my way.
Yes, I could, in the woods of Wisconsin
I'm capable of having fun and finding adventure in even the most unexpected of places, like the woods of Wisconsin.
Wake up the cake, it's a lake, she's kissin' me
I wake up to find my girlfriend kissing me by a lake while someone else is preparing a cake.
As they do when they do in Sicily
The kiss we shared by the lake was passionate and reminiscent of the way people kiss in Sicily.
Where you wanna go? Who you wanna be?
Let's talk about where you want to travel and who you want to become in the future.
What you wanna do? Just come with me
Whatever your heart desires, just come with me and let's make it a reality.
Oh, I saw God and I saw the fountains
I had a spiritual experience and saw God, as well as beautiful fountains.
You and me, girl, sittin' in the Swiss mountains
Just you and me, sitting together in the exquisite beauty of the Swiss mountains.
Me, oh my, oh, me and Guy O
Guy O and I are having a great time together, full of excitement and adventure.
Freer than a bird 'cause we're rockin' Ohio
We feel free and unencumbered, like birds, because we are rocking out in Ohio.
Around the world, I feel dutiful
Traveling around the world makes me feel responsible and committed to experiencing everything the world has to offer.
Take a wife 'cause life is beautiful
Life is too beautiful to experience alone, so I want to find a partner and get married.
Ding, dang, dong, dong, ding, ding, dong, dong, ding, dang
These nonsensical words are just a playful addition to the song, adding to its overall vibe and energy.
Mother Russia, do not suffer, I know you're bold enough
To the country of Russia, I encourage you to be strong and not suffer. I know you have the boldness to overcome any challenges.
I've been around the world and I have seen your love
As someone who has traveled extensively, I have seen the love and beauty present in Russia.
You say, "Hello" and then I say, "I do"
Even just a simple greeting from you is enough to make me fall in love with you.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Michael Peter Balzary, John Anthony Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nolesy34
Rhcp is literally the base
Drums is stataco
Guitar is electric
And Anthony is
Anthony ?
ANTHONY !!
Brussels sprouts and you do the fandango in Bombay
ALLLLOOO ALLOOOO AROUND DA WALLLLL
BING BANG DING DONG CHING CHANG
@AP-gc5ss
LYRICS:
All Around The World
We could make time
Rompin and a stompin
Cause Im in my prime
Born in the north
And sworn to entertain ya
Cause Im down for
The state of Pennsylvania
I try not to whine
But I must warn ya
Bout the girls
From California
Alabama baby
Said hallelujah
Good God girl
I wish I knew ya
I know I know for sure
That life is beautiful Around The World
I know I know it's you
You say hello and then I say I do
Come back baby
Cause I'd like to say
Ive been Around The World
Back from Bombay
Fox hole love
Pie in your face
Living in and out
Of a big fat suitcase
Bonafide ride
Step aside my johnson
Yes I could
In the woods of Wisconsin
Wake up the cake
Its a lake shes kissin me
As they do when
When they do in Sicily
I know I know for sure
That life is beautiful Around The World
I know I know its you
You say hello and then I say I do
Where you want to go
Who you want to be
What you want to do
Just come with me
I saw god
And I saw the fountains
You and me girl
Sittin in the swiss mountains
Me oh my o
Me and guy o
Freer than a bird
Cause were rockin Ohio
Around The World
I feel dutiful
Take a wife
Cause life is beautiful
I know I know for sure
Ding ding dong dong ding ding dong dong ding ding
I know I know it's you
Ding ding dong dong ding ding dong dong ding ding
Mother Russia do not suffer
I know youre bold enough
Ive been Around The World
And I have seen your love
I know I know its you use
@Lopicirne
0% shirts
100% talent
@spookae
10% ding dong dang
@sodalizard
30% aaaaaaa
@harperharper6343
40% zoom in and outs
@mohamedalamine132
20% arm moves
@brianferris7859
0% like today’s music
@merrillc2194
Wow, the lyrics at 2:43 really hit me on a personal level... Anthony Kiedis is such a lyrical genius
@soniaalanis5384
Yup agreed
@RareRHCPcollector
Fleas daughter Claire wanted that in the song
@euanmangan7760
Such poetry