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.
Higher Ground
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soldiers keep on warrin'
World keep on turnin'
'Cause it won't be too long
Powers keep on lyin'
While your people keep on dyin'
World keep on turnin'
I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground
Teachers keep on teachin'
Preachers keep on preachin'
World keep on turnin'
'Cause it won't be too long, oh no
Lovers keep on lovin'
Believers keep on believin'
Sleepers just stop sleepin'
'Cause it won't be too long, oh no
I'm so glad that he let me try it again
'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground
An' Stevie knows that nobody's gonna bring me down
Till I reach the highest ground, 'cause me 'n' Stevie, see
We're gonna be a sailin' on the funky, funky sound (till I reach the highest ground)
Bustin' out and I'll break you out, 'cause I'm sailin' on
(Till I reach the highest ground)
Just sailin' on, sailin' on the higher ground (till I reach the highest ground)
The lyrics to Red Hot Chili Peppers' song "Higher Ground" focus on the challenges and struggles of life, as well as the need for perseverance and effort to overcome them. The first verse describes how people continue to learn and soldiers continue to fight, while the world keeps turning. Despite the turmoil, it won't be too long until things change. The next verse highlights how those in positions of power lie and cheat, while people suffer and die. However, just like the turning world, change is coming.
The chorus focuses on personal growth and improvement. The singer is grateful for a second chance to make things right and become a better person. The teachers, preachers, lovers, and believers are all doing their part and pushing forward until they reach their highest ground. In the final verse, the singer declares that nobody will bring them down, and they will continue to sail on the funky, funky sound until they reach the highest ground.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that life is a constant struggle, but with effort and determination, we can overcome the challenges and rise to new heights.
Line by Line Meaning
People keep on learnin'
Despite the challenges and setbacks we face, humanity is constantly educating itself and advancing forward
Soldiers keep on warrin'
The destructive nature of war persists as fighting continues without end in sight
World keep on turnin'
The Earth continues to revolve on its axis, and time marches forward regardless of what happens
'Cause it won't be too long
The persistence of these phenomena is not guaranteed; change will come soon enough
Powers keep on lyin'
The corrupt and the powerful continue to deceive and manipulate those beneath them
While your people keep on dyin'
Simultaneously, ordinary people suffer and die due to the actions of their oppressors
I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
The singer is grateful for a chance to start fresh and make up for past transgressions
'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
The artist acknowledges their past wrongdoing and the negative impact it had on the world
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
The artist has grown and matured over time, acquiring new knowledge and wisdom
Gonna keep on tryin'
The artist is determined to keep working hard and striving to improve themselves
Till I reach my highest ground
The singer's ultimate goal is to achieve their highest potential and become the best version of themselves
Teachers keep on teachin'
Dedicated educators continue to impart knowledge and skills to the next generation
Preachers keep on preachin'
Religious leaders continue to spread their message of hope and faith to their followers
Lovers keep on lovin'
Romantic relationships persist and continue to provide comfort and joy to those involved
Believers keep on believin'
People who hold strong convictions and beliefs continue to hold fast to their values
Sleepers just stop sleepin'
Even those who are apathetic or uninterested in the world cannot escape the inevitability of change
An' Stevie knows that nobody's gonna bring me down
The artist has a role model in musician Stevie Wonder, who inspires them to keep going and not let anyone discourage them
Till I reach the highest ground, 'cause me 'n' Stevie, see
The singer envisions themselves and Stevie Wonder as kindred spirits, both dedicated to reaching their full potential
We're gonna be a sailin' on the funky, funky sound (till I reach the highest ground)
Together, the singer and Stevie will ride the wave of a lively, upbeat musical style as they climb higher and higher
Bustin' out and I'll break you out, 'cause I'm sailin' on
The artist's enthusiasm for their journey is contagious and they hope to inspire others to break free of their limitations with them
(Till I reach the highest ground)
Repeating the chorus emphasizes the importance of this goal to the artist
Just sailin' on, sailin' on the higher ground (till I reach the highest ground)
The artist remains focused on their ultimate goal as they move steadily forward
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Stevie Wonder
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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