The lyrics express what he was feeling towards Christie at that moment, mirroring how she stopped making him feel like he’s the only one trying to keep the relationship alive. In the end, he’s willing to reconsider, even change for her, but realizes that it’s not going to happen and the only solution is to walk away.
This track, as well as the closing track of the first of two discs (Jupiter), is not limited to romance, though. It pretty much sums up the connections we make with one another that we just aren’t sure of. It’s not only a tale of love, but also the confusions we have of meeting someone new.
Hey
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And teach me how to keep it alive?
To survive
Come along and show me something
That I never knew in your eyes
Take away the tourniquet
I used to know just what I wanted
And just where to go
More than ever I could use a coincidence
But now I walk alone and talk about it when I know
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess I ought to walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
Let it on, I'll cut you off
When you're screaming into the phone
Hard to own
Anyway, I wanna let you know
That everything is on hold
What you gonna do to me?
You used to be so warm and affectionate
All the little things I used to hear my fairy say
But now you're quick to get into your regret
I'll take the fall and now you got to give it all away
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess I ought to walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
Hey, what would you say if I stayed?
Stayed for a while, if I may
Say it again and I'll come around
But not for the last time
Hey, what would you say if I changed?
I'll change everything but my name
Play it again and I'll come around
Come around, but not for the last time, not for the last time
You used to be so warm and affectionate
I used to know just what I wanted
And just where to go
And now you're quick to get into your regret
And now I walk alone and talk about it when I know
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta get away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
The lyrics to Red Hot Chili Peppers' song Hey explore the themes of lost love, confusion and self-doubt. The opening lines "Won't somebody come along and teach me how to keep it alive? To survive" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is struggling to hold onto a relationship and is calling out for help, a guide to show him how to "keep it alive." He wants to learn something new about his partner that he never knew before - "Come along and show me something that I never knew in your eyes." However, the relationship has already taken a turn for the worst, and the singer says he used to be "full of confidence" and knew where he was going, but now he has lost his sense of direction. The chorus conveys the singer's indecision and apprehension about what to do next - "Hey, oh yeah, how long? I guess I ought to walk away. Hey, oh yeah, so long. What you gonna do today?"
The lyrics suggest that the relationship has become toxic and the singer feels the need to "set up for the kill," to end things once and for all. However, he also realizes that he may be the one who has to make the first move - "I don't wanna have to, but I will if that's what I'm supposed to do." The second half of the song talks about the memories of the past, how his partner used to be warm and affectionate, and how they used to be happy. The final lines of the song show that the singer is still hopeful, that he's willing to change and come back around one more time, but only if it's not the last time.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't somebody come along
And teach me how to keep it alive?
To survive
The singer is asking for help to keep the relationship alive and survive the rough times that it is facing.
Come along and show me something
That I never knew in your eyes
Take away the tourniquet
The singer wants the other person to share something he/she has never expressed before, to give a new depth to their relationship.
I used to be so full of my confidence
I used to know just what I wanted
And just where to go
More than ever I could use a coincidence
But now I walk alone and talk about it when I know
The singer used to be confident and sure of the direction of his life, but now he feels lost and unguided, craving even a little bit of luck in his life while feeling the need to talk about it to manage his feelings.
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess I ought to walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
The singer acknowledges the need to part ways, but is questioning what the other person's life holds after he/she leaves.
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
The singer doesn't want to hurt the other person but feels like it's necessary to end the relationship, saying that he/she doesn't want to 'set up for the kill' but it's what he/she is about to do.
Let it on, I'll cut you off
When you're screaming into the phone
Hard to own
Anyway, I wanna let you know
That everything is on hold
What you gonna do to me?
The singer is willing to cut off the other person, even when they are distressed and reaching out through a phone call. The singer admits that it is hard to take control of the situation but wants to let the other person know that everything is temporarily paused.
You used to be so warm and affectionate
All the little things I used to hear my fairy say
But now you're quick to get into your regret
I'll take the fall and now you got to give it all away
The singer reminisces about the time when the other person was loving and kind, but over time, he/she has become cold and bitter. The singer is willing to shoulder the blame for the breakup, but in doing so, the other person has to recognize what they are giving up.
Hey, what would you say if I stayed?
Stayed for a while, if I may
Say it again and I'll come around
But not for the last time
Hey, what would you say if I changed?
I'll change everything but my name
Play it again and I'll come around
Come around, but not for the last time, not for the last time
The singer is open to staying for a bit longer, but not forever, and is willing to make changes to their personality and behavior. He/she is willing to give the other person another chance.
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta get away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
The singer realizes that he/she has to leave and is asking the other person about his/her plans moving forward with the situation in mind.
Lyrics © MoeBeToBlame, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: MICHAEL BALZARY, JOHN ANTHONY FRUSCIANTE, ANTHONY KIEDIS, CHAD SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Alvarez
on Californication
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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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