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.
F.U.
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fuck your whole family and your bare legged kids
Fuck you!
Fuck your little sister and your little brother
Fuck you!
Fuck all your friends and everyone
Fuck you!
Fuck your little puppy and your puppy dog
The lyrics to Red Hot Chili Peppers' song F.U. are essentially a middle finger to someone or something that has very clearly displeased the band. The language used is explicit and derogatory, with the repeated phrase "fuck you" punctuating insults directed at the target's family, friends, and even pets. The song is short and lacks any kind of discernible melody or structure, with lead singer Anthony Kiedis yelling the lyrics over a chaotic instrumental backdrop.
Given the aggressive and irreverent tone of the song, it is unclear who or what the "you" in the lyrics is meant to represent. Some fans have speculated that the song is a reaction to the band's commercial success and the pressure that came with it, with the lyrics serving as a defiant rejection of mainstream expectations. Others have suggested that the song is directed at a specific individual, perhaps a former bandmate or music industry executive who the band felt had wronged them in some way.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck you!
I have deep anger and resentment towards you and wish to express it forcefully.
Fuck your whole family and your bare legged kids
I am so angry with you that I want to extend my anger to your entire family, even your innocent children.
Fuck your little sister and your little brother
I do not discriminate in my anger and am willing to direct it towards even your younger siblings.
Fuck all your friends and everyone
My rage is not limited to your family members, but also extends to your social circle and everyone you associate with.
Fuck your little puppy and your puppy dog
My hatred is so intense that I am even willing to direct it towards innocent animals that are under your care or ownership.
Contributed by Jordyn N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Blorn Blad
This is my go to song whenever a big group of people walk into my bar 5 mins before I close.
Aggravated Fir
How about those drum fills? I remember hearing this when I was 8.
Iho Pissulyajnen
Amazing !!!
Jorge Perez
Damn I havent heard this in years.
mwara2444
Best song for rush hour traffic
giughkj bhgvli
My soundtrack since the beginning of my time. <34567333
Bienve Santos
yeeah you're right, i was there and i swear it was awesome
Vashbabe
FUNKY AS FUCK :D
phatmarx
What is the song they play live directly after and where was this live show event???
Red Step-Child
That says it all.