"Dark Necessities" was successful on the Billboard charts, becoming the band's 13th number-one single and 25th top ten single on the Alternative Songs chart, both of which are records for any artist. The song is also the fourth song ever to reach number one on the Alternative Songs chart, the Mainstream Rock chart, and the Adult Alternative Songs chart. It also was their last single to chart on the Hot 100, peaking at number sixty seven.
"Dark Necessities" made its live debut on May 22, 2016 at the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio.
A live version recorded at Canal+ Studios in Paris, can be found on the Live in Paris EP.
Background
In a June 7, 2016, video interview for the band's YouTube channel, Anthony Kiedis discussed the song saying that many of the songs were created on their own. However, "Dark Necessities" was one of the songs that the band had written with Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. Kiedis said that he went to Hawaii and worked on the lyrics to the song, which "speaks to the beauty of our dark sides and how much creativity and growth and light actually comes out of those difficult struggles that we have on the inside of our heads that no one else can see." Kiedis also said that the song meant a lot to Burton and it was one of his favorites. He said that Burton fought for "Dark Necessities" to be the first single. However, the band wanted "The Getaway" to be the first single while the label and managers wanted the song "Go Robot" to be the first single.
Critical reception
"Dark Necessities" was placed at number 12 on Rolling Stone’s "50 Best Songs of 2016" list, writing: “Their big comeback hit collabo with Danger Mouse, with Anthony Kiedis getting personal about his darkest, druggiest memories over a Flea bassline full of blood, sugar, sex and magic.”
Music video
The video, directed by Olivia Wilde, was released through the band's Facebook page on June 16, 2016. Chris Blauvelt served as the cinematographer. The music video features long boarders (Carmen Shafer, Amanda Caloia, Amanda Powell, and Noelle Mulligan) skating around a grocery store, abandoned streets, and the L.A. River, interspersed with the band playing the song.
Dark Necessities
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got many moons that are deep at play
So I keep an eye on the shadow's smile
To see what it has to say
You and I both know
Everything must go away
Ah, what do you say?
Spinning knot that is on my heart
You got sneak attacked from the zodiac
But I see your fire spark
Eat the breeze and go
Blow by blow and go away
Oh, what do you say?
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design and
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Stumble down to the parking lot
You got no time for the afterthought
They're like ice cream for an astronaut
Well that's me looking for we
Turn the corner and
Find the world at your command
Playing the hand
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Do you want this love of mine?
The darkness helps all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Do you want it all the time?
The darkness helps us all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Pick you up like a paperback
With the track record of a maniac
So I move it in and we unpack
It's the same as yesterday
Any way we roll
Everything must go away
Ah, what do you say?
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
In "Dark Necessities," Red Hot Chili Peppers sing about the darkness within and the inevitability of change. The lyrics speak of the constant presence of shadows and the need to acknowledge and accept the dark parts of oneself. The references to the zodiac and moons suggest a connection to the cycles of nature and the idea that everything eventually must come to an end. The chorus declares, "Dark necessities are part of my design," implying that the struggles and challenges in life are necessary and shape who we are.
The song also touches on the theme of rebirth and renewal. The line "The darkness helps all to shine" suggests that through acceptance of one's own darkness, one can find clarity and a way to move forward. The mention of "falling from the sky" may symbolize a new beginning, as the singer falls from the heavens to start anew.
Musically, "Dark Necessities" features a slinky bassline and understated guitar work, providing a hypnotic and slightly eerie backdrop to the lyrics. The song builds to a frenzied climax in the final chorus, with the band members urging each other on with shouts and yelps.
Line by Line Meaning
Coming out to the light of day
Emerging from the shadows into the light
We got many moons that are deep at play
There are many different cycles and phases at work
So I keep an eye on the shadow's smile
I am vigilant of subtle hints of darkness
To see what it has to say
To understand its message
You and I both know
We are aware
Everything must go away
All things eventually come to an end
Ah, what do you say?
What are your thoughts?
Spinning knot that is on my heart
A complex and conflicted feeling in my heart
It's like a bit of light and a touch of dark
It's a mix of positive and negative emotions
You got sneak attacked from the zodiac
You were hit unexpectedly by astrological forces
But I see your fire spark
But I see your passion burning
Eat the breeze and go
Absorb the natural elements and continue on
Blow by blow and go away
Dealing with events as they come and then moving on
Oh, what do you say?
What are your thoughts?
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't understand what I think
You don't know my kind
You don't understand what type of person I am
Dark necessities are part of my design and
Darkness is an inherent part of me
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Announcing to the world that I am in trouble
Stumble down to the parking lot
I fell down and feel lost
You got no time for the afterthought
You don't have time to hesitate or think about what happens next
They're like ice cream for an astronaut
The solutions to my problems seem impossible to find
Well, that's me looking for we
I am searching for someone who understands me
Turn the corner and
Let's move forward
Find the world at your command
You have the power to conquer your fears
Playing the hand
Playing the cards you were dealt
Do you want this love of mine?
Do you want to accept me for who I am?
The darkness helps all to shine
Darkness can actually bring out the best in people
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Do you accept me as I am right now?
Do you want it all the time?
Will you continue to accept me as I am?
Pick you up like a paperback
Lifting you up like an easy-to-carry object
With the track record of a maniac
With a history of madness or craziness
So I move it in and we unpack
Making ourselves at home
It's the same as yesterday
We are stuck in the same routine
Any way we roll
No matter what happens
Everything must go away
All things will eventually end
Ah, what do you say?
What are your thoughts?
Dark necessities are part of my design
Darkness is inherent and necessary in my life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Josh Adam Klinghoffer, Michael Peter Balzary, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith, Brian Joseph Burton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Andryux
LYRICS
Coming out to the light of day
We got many moons that are deep at play
So I keep an eye on the shadow's smile
To see what it has to say
You and I both know
Everything must go away
Ah, what do you say?
Spinning knot that is on my heart
It's like a bit of light and a touch of dark
You got sneak attacked from the zodiac
But I see your fire spark
Eat the breeze and go
Blow by blow and go away
Oh, what do you say?
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design and
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Stumble down to the parking lot
You got no time for the afterthought
They're like ice cream for an astronaut
Well that's me looking for we
Turn the corner and
Find the world at your command
Playing the hand
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Do you want this love of mine?
The darkness helps all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Do you want it all the time?
The darkness helps us all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Pick you up like a paperback
With the track record of a maniac
So I move it in and we unpack
It's the same as yesterday
Any way we roll
Everything must go away
Ah, what do you say?
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
@ZachK412
Lyrics:
Coming out to the light of day
We got many moons that are deep at play
So I keep an eye on the shadow's smile
To see what it has to say
You and I both know
Everything must go away
Ah, what do you say?
Spinning knot that is on my heart
It's like a bit of light and a touch of dark
You got sneak attacked from the zodiac
But I see your fire spark
Eat the breeze and go
Blow by blow and go away
Oh, what do you say?
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design and
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Stumble down to the parking lot
You got no time for the afterthought
They're like ice cream for an astronaut
Well that's me looking for we
Turn the corner and
Find the world at your command
Playing the hand
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Do you want this love of mine?
The darkness helps all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Do you want it all the time?
The darkness helps us all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Pick you up like a paperback
With the track record of a maniac
So I move it in and we unpack
It's the same as yesterday
Any way we roll
Everything must go away
Ah, what do you say?
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
@nizaraskri
Lyrics
Coming out to the light of day
We got many moons that are deep at play
So I keep an eye on the shadow's smile
To see what it has to say
You and I both know
Everything must go away
Ah, what do you say?
Spinning knot that is on my heart
It's like a bit of light and a touch of dark
You got sneak attacked from the zodiac
But I see your fire spark
Eat the breeze and go
Blow by blow and go away
Oh, what do you say?
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design and
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Stumble down to the parking lot
You got no time for the afterthought
They're like ice cream for an astronaut
Well that's me looking for we
Turn the corner and
Find the world at your command
Playing the hand
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Do you want this love of mine?
The darkness helps all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Do you want it all the time?
The darkness helps us all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Pick you up like a paperback
With the track record of a maniac
So I move it in and we unpack
It's the same as yesterday
Any way we roll
Everything must go away
Ah, what do you say?
Yeah, you don't know my mind
You don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
@RedHotChiliPeppers
It has been confirmed that the Red Hot Chili Peppers will embark on a world tour in 2022! Sign up on https://redhotchilipeppers.com for more information.
@ipocap1232
YEEEEAAAAHHHHH BABBBYYYYYY
@jasonviana8440
Me nota 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
@jetjoy7320
WOOOOOW, LETS HOPE IWILL BE ABLE TO GO FOR ANY OF THIS CONCERTS!
@estivenperdomo954
Suiiiiii
@carlosmoralesvega1193
WTFFF I'M GONNA STAY THERE ANYWHERE
@abisaabjoya9591
Summary of the music video :
1- Girls on skateboards hurting themselves
2- Flea in a sink
@walkerfrommb
+Matt B *torching goggles
@robdela3632
freddie mercury stash
@zXAshcatkatzX
and Anthony's killer dance moves