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.
Get on Top
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get on top
Hit me (get on top), come get me
Oh, I bite but she bit me (get on top)
Gorilla cunt illa
Sammy D and Salmonella (get on top)
Come with me 'cause I'm an ass killer
I'ma linger on your block and
Give the finger to a cop and
Pick a lock before I knock and
Set you up to get on top
(Get on top) complications of a mastermind
(Get on top) last temptation of my kind
(Get on top) extra planetary sign when do we align
(Get on top) all in time
Right on
Get up (get on top), come sit up
I light but she lit up (get on top)
Grasshopper, show stopper
The life of a wife swapper (get on top)
Come with me 'cause I'm a big bopper
You do but I wopper (get on top)
Exterminate my cause
You want to draw some straws
Be the one to see my flaws
Make me bleed with painted claws
(Get on top) complications of a mastermind
(Get on top) last temptation of my kind
(Get on top) extra planetary sign when do we align
(Get on top) all in time
Right on
(Get on top)
(Get on top)
Hit me (get on top), come get me
Oh, I bite but she bit me (get on top)
Speed baller, Rhodes Scholar
Bottom bitch and a bottom dollar (get on top)
Come with me 'cause I'm a free faller
You hoot but I holler (get on top)
I'ma linger on your block and
Give the finger to a cop and
Pick a lock before I knock and
Set you up to get on top
Get on top
Get on top
Get on top
Get on top
The song "Get on Top" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is an upbeat and raunchy tune with ambiguous lyrics that invite interpretation. The main refrain encourages listeners to "get on top," which may refer to physical domination, taking control, or achieving success. The lyrics also contain a few comparisons that are not easy to decipher, such as "Gorilla cunt illa" and "Rhodes Scholar bottom bitch," adding to the song's enigmatic quality.
Line by Line Meaning
Get on top
The singer is encouraging the listener to take control of their life and be on top of things.
Hit me (get on top), come get me
The singer is asking the listener to take charge and make their move.
Oh, I bite but she bit me (get on top)
The singer is admitting that they may have been hurt in the past, but they are still willing to take risks and be on top.
Gorilla cunt illa
This line likely has no discernible meaning and is just a play on words.
Sammy D and Salmonella (get on top)
The artist is saying they are tough and can handle anything, even disease.
Come with me 'cause I'm an ass killer
The singer is confident and capable, and can help the listener reach their goals.
You're ill but I'm iller (get on top)
The singer is claiming to be better than the listener in all aspects.
I'ma linger on your block and
The artist is saying they will wait and watch, planning their next move.
Give the finger to a cop and
The artist is rebellious and not afraid to break the rules.
Pick a lock before I knock and
The artist is sneaky and has no problem breaking into places they aren't supposed to be.
Set you up to get on top
The singer is saying they will help the listener achieve success.
(Get on top) complications of a mastermind
The artist acknowledges that being successful comes with its own set of challenges.
(Get on top) last temptation of my kind
The singer is recognizing that there may be temptations along the way to success, but they are determined to overcome them.
(Get on top) extra planetary sign when do we align
This line has unclear meaning, but may reference the singer's desire to reach their full potential.
(Get on top) all in time
The singer is saying that they will achieve success, but it may take time and effort.
Get up (get on top), come sit up
The artist is encouraging the listener to get up and take charge of their life.
I light but she lit up (get on top)
The artist is potentially referencing drug use, but it's unclear.
Grasshopper, show stopper
The singer is describing themselves as a unique and formidable presence.
The life of a wife swapper (get on top)
The singer may be referencing their promiscuous lifestyle.
Come with me 'cause I'm a big bopper
The artist is confident and wants the listener to join them in their success.
You do but I wopper (get on top)
The artist is saying they are better than the listener in every way.
Exterminate my cause
The artist may be saying they want to eliminate anything that opposes or hinders their success.
You want to draw some straws
The singer is challenging someone to try and compete with them for success.
Be the one to see my flaws
The artist is willing to accept criticism and learn from their mistakes.
Make me bleed with painted claws
The singer is saying they won't give up easily and will fight to achieve success.
Speed baller, Rhodes Scholar
The singer is saying they are both athletic and intelligent.
Bottom bitch and a bottom dollar (get on top)
The singer is saying they are lowly, but they will rise to the top.
Come with me 'cause I'm a free faller
The artist is confident in their ability to take risks and succeed.
You hoot but I holler (get on top)
The artist may be saying they are better than the listener in all aspects.
Get on top
The singer is again encouraging the listener to take control of their life and be on top of things.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Michael Peter Balzary, John Anthony Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith
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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