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.
Detroit
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The shadow of decay
Rolling rings of rubber and
The band begins to play
Am I on the right side of the left side of your brain?
Can you see the rising of old yesterday's remains?
Funkadelic said it best I think you know the rest
Don't you worry baby I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy
Don't you worry baby I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy
Don't you worry baby I'm like
The Stooges and J Dilla, yeah
They tore this town apart
Put me back together, well
I guess that's quite an art, ha
Henry won the war you see
But not with pen or sword
He did it with the little thing I think it's called a Ford
Funkadelic said it best I think you know the rest
Time don't stand a chance against this motor madness
Don't you worry baby I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy
Don't you worry baby I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy
Don't you worry baby I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy
Everything's so hazy I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy
Everything's so hazy
In "Detroit," Red Hot Chili Peppers sings about the decay and grittiness of the Motor City, Detroit. The first stanza references the suburbs of the city, where one can find the shadow of decay lurking. It then describes the rolling rings of rubber, which is a nod to the automotive industry that Detroit is predominantly known for. The band begins to play, referring to the music scene in Detroit, which has produced renowned musicians such as The Stooges and J Dilla, as well as the Motown sound.
The following lines inquire about one's perspective and state of mind. Am I on the right or left side of your brain? Can you see the rising of old yesterday's remains? These rhetorical questions evoke the idea of nostalgia and contemplation, perhaps about the changing times and the struggles of Detroit's history. The line "Funkadelic said it best I think you know the rest" is a reference to the band Funkadelic, who hailed from Detroit and was a huge influence on the city's music scene.
The chorus repeats "Don't you worry baby, I'm like Detroit, I'm crazy," which can be interpreted in a few different ways. It could be seen as a self-deprecating commentary on the singer's own mental state, likening it to the city's reputation for being a bit wild and unruly. Alternatively, it could be a statement of pride in Detroit's resilience and determination in the face of hardship.
The song then references Henry Ford, who revolutionized the automobile industry and put Detroit on the map as the "Motor City." The line "He did it with the little thing I think it's called a Ford" shows a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor, as Ford's contribution to the city's success is arguably much more significant than just making the Ford car.
Overall, "Detroit" is a homage to the city that has influenced so much of the band's music and the wider music world.
Line by Line Meaning
Find me in the suburbs and
The shadow of decay
Rolling rings of rubber and
The band begins to play
The singer is immersing himself in the iconic environment of Detroit, Michigan, where the suburbs and the urban decay blend with the endless sound of car wheels and the rhythm of a band playing in the background.
Am I on the right side of the left side of your brain?
Can you see the rising of old yesterday's remains?
Funkadelic said it best I think you know the rest
Time don't stand a chance against this motor madness
The singer is questioning if he is aligned with the listener's way of thinking or if their thoughts are clashing. He is also referencing the band Funkadelic and their song Motor City Madness, implying that the spirit of Detroit and its history is stronger and more enduring than time itself.
Don't you worry baby I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy
Don't you worry baby I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy
Don't you worry baby I'm like
The singer is reassuring someone that he is wild, unpredictable, and restless like the city of Detroit, unafraid of taking risks and breaking rules, and that there is nothing to worry about with him around.
The Stooges and J Dilla, yeah
They tore this town apart
Put me back together, well
I guess that's quite an art, ha
The artist is referencing two Detroit musicians, The Stooges and J Dilla, and how they have left a lasting impact on the music scene in the city. He is also suggesting that he himself has been broken down and rebuilt, and that it takes a true artist to rise above the chaos and rebuild oneself.
Henry won the war you see
But not with pen or sword
He did it with the little thing I think it's called a Ford
The artist is referring to Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, and how his innovation and creation of the assembly line changed the course of history and won him the battle against other car manufacturers. He is also commenting on the fact that great accomplishments can come from small, seemingly insignificant ideas.
Everything's so hazy I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy I'm like
Detroit, I'm crazy
Everything's so hazy
The singer is acknowledging the foggy, uncertain state of things and how it feels like anything can happen, much like the city of Detroit itself. He is also reiterating his own craziness and the deeply-rooted connection he feels to the city.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: CHAD GAYLORD SMITH, JOSH ADAM KLINGHOFFER, MICHAEL PETER BALZARY, ANTHONY KIEDIS
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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