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.
Funky Crimes
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I do what I want to do
who said you could do what you do
I told you who told me to
I do what I want to do
I do what I want to do
funky crime funky crime
don't you know funk's colors blind
against a state of mind
Hey you mister interview
I don't have to answer you
this is what I grew into
don't judge me and my soul stew
cause funk is my attitude
funk is my attitude
funky crime funky crime
don't you know funk's colors blind
well I've committed a funky crime
against a state of mind
Barriers of race
in the media take place
tellin'you there is no room
for what you do, don't budge
there's no groove to your gloom
who made you the judge
always room for funky tunes
and yes I funk it up
Funky boy
meets a funky girl
make it funky, baby
cause the funk is crazy
Why do you do what you do
I do what I want to do
who said you could do what you do
I told you who told me to
I do what I want to do
I do what I want to do
funky crime funky crime
don't you know funk's colors blind
well I've committed a funky crime
against a state of mind
Funky crime
funky crime
funky funky crime
the crime is funky
The lyrics to "Funky Crimes" by Red Hot Chili Peppers touch on themes of individualism, nonconformity, and prejudices in society towards those that break from the norm. The song's opening lyrics question why people do the things they do, with the lead singer asserting his right to do what he wants. The refrain "funky crime, funky crime" repeatedly plays, reminding listeners that breaking away from societal norms can be seen as a crime, but that the crime can also be funkified. The singer appears to be using funk music as a metaphor for breaking out of the norms of society and embracing one's individuality.
The singer seems to be reacting to the media, which he feels is telling him that he has no place with his funk music. He pushes back against these "barriers of race" and states that there is always "room for funky tunes." The verse "hey, you mister interview, I don't have to answer you" suggests that the lead singer is uninterested in being judged by the media and instead wants to focus on his music. The song's message is clear: don't let other people define you or your style, and don't be afraid to take risks and be funky.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do you do what you do
Questioning the motives and actions of others
I do what I want to do
Asserting independence and autonomy
who said you could do what you do
Challenging authority and questioning permission
I told you who told me to
Following the direction of someone else rather than the authority being challenged
funky crime funky crime
Repeating the phrase to emphasize the central theme of the song
don't you know funk's colors blind
Suggesting that the power of funk music extends beyond the limits of race and color
well I've committed a funky crime
The singer has done something unconventional or counter-cultural in the name of funk music
against a state of mind
The unconventional act has been committed in opposition to a societal norm or cultural expectation
Hey you mister interview
Addressing an interviewer or media representative who is asking probing questions
I don't have to answer you
Refusing to give in to pressure or judgment
this is what I grew into
Asserting that personal identity and musical taste are formed from one's own experiences and preferences
don't judge me and my soul stew
Asking to be evaluated on the substance of one's creative output rather than external opinions or biases
cause funk is my attitude
Identifying with the ethos and spirit of funk music
funky boy
Referring to oneself or another as a devotee of funk music and culture
meets a funky girl
Describing a connection between two people who share a love of funk music and culture
make it funky, baby
Encouraging the creation and expression of funky music and dance
cause the funk is crazy
Celebrating the wild, unpredictable, and uncontainable nature of funk music
Barriers of race
Recognizing the existence of racial divisions and inequalities
in the media take place
Acknowledging the role that the media plays in disseminating information and constructing narratives about race
tellin'you there is no room
Propagating the idea that certain voices, perspectives, or ideas are not welcome in mainstream society
for what you do, don't budge
Urging resistance and persistence in the face of exclusion and suppression
there's no groove to your gloom
Suggesting that negativity or pessimism is incompatible with the spirit of funk music
who made you the judge
Asking why one person or group should have the power to decide what is acceptable or legitimate
always room for funky tunes
Maintaining a positive and inclusive outlook on the value of funk music
and yes I funk it up
Expressing pride and joy in the act of creating and performing funky music
funky crime
Shortening the refrain to create a punchy and memorable catchphrase
funky funky crime
Emphasizing the centrality of the theme of the song
the crime is funky
Celebrating the subversive and unconventional qualities of funk music that challenge mainstream expectations and norms
Writer(s): Anthony Kiedis, Michael Peter Balzary, Hillel Slovak, Jack Irons
Contributed by Gabriel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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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