The Red Hot Chili Peppers were formed in Los Angeles by Kiedis, Flea, guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons. Due to commitments to other bands, Slovak and Irons did not play on the band's 1984 self-titled debut album, which instead featured guitarist Jack Sherman and drummer Cliff Martinez. Slovak rejoined for their second album, Freaky Styley (1985), and Irons for their third, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987). Irons left after Slovak died of a drug overdose in June 1988.
With new recruits Frusciante and Smith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded Mother's Milk (1989) and their first major commercial success, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). Frusciante was uncomfortable with their newfound popularity and left abruptly on tour in 1992. After a series of temporary guitarists, he was replaced by Dave Navarro, who appeared on the group's sixth album, One Hot Minute (1995). Although successful, the album failed to match the critical or popular acclaim of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Frusciante and Kiedis struggled with drug addiction throughout the 1990s.
In 1998, following Navarro's departure, Frusciante rejoined the band. Their seventh album, Californication (1999), became their biggest commercial success, with 16 million copies sold worldwide. By the Way (2002) and Stadium Arcadium (2006) were also successful; Stadium Arcadium was their first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Frusciante left again in 2009 to focus on his solo career; he was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, who appeared on I'm with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016), before Frusciante rejoined in 2019. They released their 12th album, Unlimited Love, in 2022.
The Chili Peppers' mix of hard rock, funk and hip hop has influenced genres such as funk metal, rap metal, rap rock and nu metal. Kiedis said the band were early to combine "hardcore funk and hip-hop-style vocals", and suggested they had influenced Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, and Linkin Park. Smith said, "Certainly Anthony's singing style and voice lends itself to being unique, and nobody sounds like him. The cool thing about it is we can play any style of music whether it's hard and fast, or loud or quiet, slow or medium, whatever it is; rock or funk, and it still sounds like us. I'm proud of that because sometimes bands don't have that strong personality where you go, 'Oh, that's boom, right away.'"
The Chili Peppers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame In April 2012. The induction lineup was Kiedis, Flea, Smith, Klinghoffer, Frusciante, Slovak (represented by his brother James), Irons and Martinez; Frusciante was invited, but did not attend. Navarro and Sherman were not inducted; Sherman said he felt "dishonored". The band performed "By the Way", "Give It Away" and "Higher Ground", which included Irons and Martinez on drums. It was the first time Kiedis and Flea had performed with Irons in more than 20 years.
In 2003, Rolling Stone released their first list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", with Blood Sugar Sex Magik at 310 and Californication at 399. In 2012, a revised list was released, with Californication at 401. In 2020, Rolling Stone released another version of the list, with Blood Sugar Sex Magik at 186 and Californication at 286.
The band received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 31, 2022. George Clinton, Woody Harrelson and Bob Forrest unveiled the star at the ceremony.
Backwoods
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone spilled blood but do you know
That from the backwoods where the Chuck Berry's grow
Come your long tall daddies of a rock and roll
Take me to your backwoods now
Take me to your backwoods now
Spinnin' out of control like a psychedelic soul
With a rhythm hittin' harder than Larry Holmes
Come your long tall daddies of rock and roll
Take me to your backwoods now
Take me to your backwoods now
Take me to your backwoods now
Take me to your backwoods now (yeah)
Oh well Mr. Uplift Mofo my man Bo Diddley hit sippin' a bottle of nickle ripple
Play the lickity split finger licking licks for all you wicked city slick chicks
And all you nitty gritty hick we'll make your nipples ripple
Make you wanna dip your dipple make you wanna soak your hickory stick, that's rigth
Because my man has a grip on it and I do mean on it
Which brings to mind a very sinister minister kind of guy
A man named Little Richard who was born to make them bitches stir
That's right he'll make the sweet substance drip from the middle of your hillbilly lips
And like the farmer milk his cow the howling wolf will howl
And since times does allow, you all can take me to your backwoods now, yo slim
(Take me to your backwoods now) take me to your backwoods
The lyrics to Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song, “Backwoods,” speak to the roots and origins of rock and roll. The opening lines refer to the bloodshed that occurred in the past, possibly alluding to the violent history of the United States, particularly in areas that are now called “backwoods.” The line “from the backwoods where the Chuck Berry’s grow” acknowledges the African American roots of rock and roll and the influence of Chuck Berry on the genre.
The song continues with references to tornadoes and psychedelic soul, highlighting the chaotic and unpredictable nature of rock and roll. The lines “with a rhythm hittin’ harder than Larry Holmes” allude to the power and strength of the music, comparing it to a heavyweight boxer. The reference to “long tall daddies of rock and roll” further emphasizes the influence of older musicians on the genre.
The second half of the lyrics features a spoken-word section in which the singer references Bo Diddley and Little Richard, two pioneering African American musicians known for their contributions to the development of rock and roll. The singer also addresses both “wicked city slick chicks” and “nitty gritty hick[s],” acknowledging the genre’s ability to unite people of different backgrounds and lifestyles. The repetition of the line “take me to your backwoods now” suggests a desire to return to the roots of rock and roll and rediscover the genre’s raw, rebellious spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone spilled blood many years ago
There has been a violent history in this backwoods area
Someone spilled blood but do you know
The past violence in this area may not be commonly known
That from the backwoods where the Chuck Berry's grow
This area is where rock and roll originated
Come your long tall daddies of a rock and roll
The musicians from this area are the pioneers of rock and roll
Spinning' down from the clouds like a tornado
The music from this area arrives with great force and energy
Spinnin' out of control like a psychedelic soul
The music from this area is wild and free-spirited
With a rhythm hittin' harder than Larry Holmes
The music from this area has a powerful beat
Oh well Mr. Uplift Mofo my man Bo Diddley hit sippin' a bottle of nickle ripple
A famous musician, Bo Diddley, is referenced in a casual, colloquial way
Play the lickity split finger licking licks for all you wicked city slick chicks
Bo Diddley plays fast, impressive guitar riffs for a diverse audience
And all you nitty gritty hick we'll make your nipples ripple
The music from this area is sexual and provocative
Make you wanna dip your dipple make you wanna soak your hickory stick, that's right
The sexual nature of the music is emphasized, and it is suggested that listeners will be aroused
A man named Little Richard who was born to make them bitches stir
Little Richard is another famous musician from this area, who is known for his provocative style
That's right he'll make the sweet substance drip from the middle of your hillbilly lips
Little Richard's music is sexual and will cause listeners to become aroused
And since times does allow, you all can take me to your backwoods now, yo slim (Take me to your backwoods now)
The singer wants to visit the backwoods area and experience the wild, passionate music firsthand
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: MICHAEL PETER BALZARY, JACK IRONS, ANTHONY KIEDIS, HILLEL SLOVAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Alvarez
on Californication
People who harness the power of the mind try to manipulate your emotions
Young girls aspire to Hollywood fame and fortune while reciting memorable movie quotes
If you desire superficial fame and materialistic success, California is the place to be
California represents the epitome of the quintessential Western society
Although the sun rises in the East, California remains a constant and established location in contrast to the ever-changing world
Hollywood creates and sells the illusion of the California dream
Spend a lot of money to prevent or delay the physical symptoms of aging
The superficial appearance of celebrities can be deceiving; they may be fighting a personal battle to maintain their image
The rarities and impossible things that are unique to California
The explicit and suggestive nature of the entertainment industry in California
Marry me and be my inspiration to create new things and leave a mark in the world
Young women with information and resources at their disposal may make decisions that lead them down certain paths, such as becoming pregnant at a young age
Owning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a symbol of achieving fame and fortune, representative of the Californian dream
Despite space being seen as the most uncertain and mysterious frontier, the idea of it is created by Hollywood and is not a reality
Kurt Cobain, who died before the song was written, may still be listening to music in another realm
The fictional planet Alderaan from Star Wars represents another aspect of the Californian dream or illusion created by Hollywood
People in California are often raised with the idea that control over population is important and necessary
Everyone has experienced being controlled or manipulating others in some way, which is not limited to people being on vacation
While destruction can lead to difficult times, it can also provide the opportunity for new and creative things to be born
Earthquakes, which may be seen as destructive and terrifying, can also be seen as inspiring or beneficial, similar to how a girl's guitar strings vibrate to produce beautiful music
Even in the face of disaster, the draw and allure of the Californian dream or illusion created by Hollywood remains strong
There is no way to measure someone's mental or emotional state, but perhaps you crave these superficial things that come with the Californian illusion
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