The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in… Read Full Bio ↴The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk rock and psychedelic rock. The band consists of co-founders Anthony Kiedis (lead vocals) and Flea (bass), as well as drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante, the latter of whom has been in the band across three stints. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the best-selling bands of all time. They are the most successful band in the history of alternative rock, with the records for most number-one singles (13), most cumulative weeks at number one (85) and most top-ten songs (25) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They have won six Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2022 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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.

Crosstown Traffic
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You jump in front of my car when you
You know all the time that
Ninety miles an hour, girl, is the speed I drive
You tell me it's all right, you don't mind a little pain
You say you just want me to take you for a ride

You're just like crosstown traffic
So hard to get through to you

Crosstown traffic
I don't need to run over you
Crosstown traffic
All you do is slow me down
And I'm tryin' to get on the other side of town

I'm not the only soul who's accused of hit and run
Tire tracks all across your back
I can see you had your fun
But darlin', can't you see my signals turn from green to red
And with you I can see a traffic jam straight up ahead

You're just like crosstown traffic
So hard to get through to you
Crosstown traffic
I don't need to run over you
Crosstown traffic

All you do is slow me down
And I got better things on the other side of town

Overall Meaning

The Red Hot Chili Peppers song "Crosstown Traffic" is an upbeat, guitar-driven rock song that metaphorically likens a frustrating love interest to the chaos of city traffic. The opening lines describe the reckless behavior of the singer's partner, who jumps in front of his car, despite knowing that he drives at high speeds. The partner's response to the potential danger is, "You tell me it's all right, you don't mind a little pain. You say you just want me to take you for a ride," indicating that she is willing to take risks in order to be with the singer. The chorus of the song repeats the analogy of the partner being like crosstown traffic, which is hard to get through and only slows the singer down on his journey.

The second verse employs imagery of hit and run accidents, with the singer saying that he is not the only one who has been accused of leaving tire tracks on his partner's back. He notes that while she may have had fun in the moment, he can see that she is not taking his cues to slow down and proceed with caution. The singer likens this to a traffic signal turning from green to red, signifying that danger is imminent. He sees a traffic jam straight ahead and recognizes that his partner is only causing him to slow down and struggle to move forward in his journey.

Overall, "Crosstown Traffic" is a commentary on the difficulty of navigating relationships with partners who are reckless or not on the same page. The driving rhythms and distorted guitar riffs complement the frustration and urgency of the lyrics, making it a quintessential rock song.

Line by Line Meaning

You jump in front of my car when you
You unexpectedly and recklessly cross my path, risking harm to yourself and others

You know all the time that
You are aware of the danger you're putting yourself in, but still choose to take the risk

Ninety miles an hour, girl, is the speed I drive
I am driving at an extremely fast pace, much faster than the average speed limit

You tell me it's all right, you don't mind a little pain
You assure me that any consequences or discomfort are acceptable to you

You say you just want me to take you for a ride
You claim that you only desire to experience the thrill and adventure of riding with me

You're just like crosstown traffic
You are similar to the chaotic and unpredictable flow of vehicles on a busy city street

So hard to get through to you
It is difficult to connect and communicate with you amidst the confusion and distractions

I don't need to run over you
I have no intention of causing you physical harm, despite the dangers you create

All you do is slow me down
Your behavior and decisions impede my progress and hinder my goals

And I'm tryin' to get on the other side of town
I am attempting to reach a destination or objective that lies on the opposite side of the city

I'm not the only soul who's accused of hit and run
I am not the only person who has been blamed for causing accidents or injuries

Tire tracks all across your back
Evidence of previous collisions and close calls are visible on your body or clothing

I can see you had your fun
It is apparent that you have enjoyed your reckless behavior and disregard for safety

But darlin', can't you see my signals turn from green to red
I am signaling for you to stop and reconsider your choices, as the situation has become dangerous or unsustainable

And with you I can see a traffic jam straight up ahead
I can predict that continued involvement with you will result in complications and obstacles that will delay or prevent progress

And I got better things on the other side of town
There are more important and rewarding opportunities waiting for me outside of this chaotic environment

Contributed by Zoe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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