The song is the fifth and final single released from the album. Originally expected to be the 4th single for the US, Canada and Australia, ("Desecration Smile" was the 4th single released internationally) the band decided to make the single and video a worldwide release thanks to the positive feedback on the song's music video.
Despite the change in musical style of the rest of Stadium Arcadium, "Hump de Bump"'s sound is similar to that of the band's earlier albums such as 1985's Freaky Styley. The track was originally titled "Ghost Dance 2000", as the bassline is similar to an older Red Hot Chili Peppers song, "American Ghost Dance", actually from Freaky Styley. The title was changed to "Hump de Bump" near the end of recording.
Hump de Bump
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
Forty detectives this week
Forty detectives strong
Takin' a stroll down love street
Strollin', is that so wrong?
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bop
Hump de bump doop bodu
Oh no
Bump de hump doop bodu
Hump de bump doop bop
Bump de hump doop bodu
Bump, bump
It must have been a hundred miles
Or any of a hundred styles
It's not about the smile you wear but
The way we make out
When I was an all-aloner
Nothing but a two-beach comber
Anybody seen the sky, I'm
I'm wide awake now!
Workin' the beat as we speak
Workin' the belle du monde
Believe in the havoc we wreak
Believin', is that so wrong?
Can I get my co-dependant?
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bop
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bodu
Hump de bump doop bop
Bump de hump doop bodu
Bump, bump
C'mon
It must have been a hundred miles
Any of a hundred styles
It's not about the smile you wear but
The way we make out
When I was an all-aloner
Nothing but a two-beach comber
Anybody seen the sky, I'm
I'm wide awake now
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
(Gon' getchya, gon' shake ya)
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bop
Hump de bump doop bodu
Oh no
Bump de hump doop bodu
Hump de bump doop bop
Bump de hump doop bodu
Bump, bump
Listenin' to what I said
And try to get it through your head
A little bit of circumstance and
A chance to make out
Livin' in a citadel
It's hard enough to be yourself
Waiting for the bell to toll and
I'm wide awake now
It must have been a hundred miles
Or any of a hundred styles
It's not about the smile you wear but
The way we make out
When I was an all-aloner
Nothing but a two-beach comber
Anybody seen the sky I'm
I'm wide awake now
"Hump de Bump" by Red Hot Chili Peppers is a funky dance track that features lyrics about detectives walking down the streets, the distance one will go for love, and the freedom of expression. The song begins with the repetition of "gon' get ya, gon' shake ya" followed by "forty detectives this week, forty detectives strong, takin' a stroll down love street, strollin', is that so wrong?" The lyrics paint a picture of detectives investigating the streets, but instead of it being a dark and brooding crime scene, they are roaming the streets of love. The chorus "hump de bump doop bodu, bump de hump doop bop" is a catchy beat that makes listeners want to dance.
The verses paint a picture of freedom of expression and the lengths one will go for love. The lyric "when I was an all-aloner, nothing but a two-beach comber, anybody seen the sky, I'm wide awake now!" speaks to the singer being isolated and now feeling invigorated and alive with a newfound freedom. The line "waiting for the bell to toll and I'm wide awake now" reinforces the idea of waiting for the right moment to express yourself freely. The repetition of "gon' get ya, gon' shake ya" at the end of the song reinforces the idea of being on the move, free, and expressing oneself.
Overall, "Hump de Bump" is a socially conscious and upbeat dance track that celebrates freedom of expression and the lengths we'll go to for love.
Line by Line Meaning
Forty detectives this week
There were a lot of people investigating this week.
Forty detectives strong
The investigators were numerous and persistent.
Takin' a stroll down love street
They were exploring the world of love.
Strollin', is that so wrong?
Is it really bad to enjoy such innocent activity?
Can I get my co-dependant?
Can I have the person who depends on me?
Hump de bump doop bodu
Nonsense words that sound fun and upbeat.
Bump de hump doop bop
More playful nonsense phrases to keep the rhythm going.
It must have been a hundred miles
The experiences they've been through feel far away and numerous.
Or any of a hundred styles
They've explored all kind of styles, like fashion or music.
It's not about the smile you wear but
The way you feel and experience things is more important than appearances.
The way we make out
They're talking about how they experience and explore things.
When I was an all-aloner
They were alone and isolated once.
Nothing but a two-beach comber
They were only looking for something on the surface level.
Anybody seen the sky, I'm
They're looking up for inspiration and direction.
I'm wide awake now!
They've gone through a self-discovery process and feel enlightened.
Workin' the beat as we speak
They're working hard currently.
Workin' the belle du monde
They're aiming to make changes on a global scale.
Believe in the havoc we wreak
They're confident in making a positive impact, despite the difficulty in doing so.
Believin', is that so wrong?
Is it wrong to believe in one's capabilities and potential?
Listenin' to what I said
They're hoping others will take their message seriously.
And try to get it through your head
They want their message to really sink in and be understood.
A little bit of circumstance and
It only takes a small change in circumstances to make a difference.
A chance to make out
A chance to experience and explore new things.
Livin' in a citadel
Feeling trapped and oppressed in one's environment.
It's hard enough to be yourself
It's difficult to truly express oneself when one is feeling suppressed.
Waiting for the bell to toll and
They're waiting for a sign or opportunity to present itself.
I'm wide awake now
They've found that opportunity and are ready to take it.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, 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
@troad99
Forty detectives this week
Forty detectives strong
Takin' a stroll down Love Street
Strollin' is that so wrong
Can I get my co-dependent
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bap
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bodu
Hump de bump doop bap
Bump de hump doop bodu
Bump bump
Must have been a hundred miles
Any of a hundred styles
It's not about the smile you wear
But the way we make out
When I was another loner
Nothin' but a two beach comber
Anybody seen the sky?
I'm, I'm wide awake now
Workin' the beat as we speak
Working the belle du monde
Believe in the havoc we wreak
Believin', is that so wrong
Can I get my co-dependant
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bap
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bodu
Hump de bump doop bap
Bump de hump doop bodu
Bump bump, c'mon
Must have been a hundred miles
Any of a hundred styles
It's not about the smile you wear
But the way we make out
When I was another loner
Nothin' but a two beach comber
Anybody seen the sky?
I'm, I'm wide awake now
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bap
Hump de bump doop bodu
Bump de hump doop bodu
Hump de bump doop bap
Bump de hump doop bodu
Bump bump
Listen to me what I said
Try to get it through your head
A little bit of circumstance
And a chance to make out
Livin' in a citadel
It's hot enough to be yourself
Waiting for the bell to toll
And I am wide awake now
Must have been a hundred miles
Any of a hundred styles
It's not about the smile you wear
But the way we make out
When I was another loner
Nothin' but a two beach comber
Anybody seen the sky?
I'm, I'm wide awake now
@RedHotChiliPeppers
On this day in 2007, the music video for “Hump de Bump” was released. Directed by Chris Rock.
@SoapStone6007
Nice! I like it!
@Liquidmax1
AGAIN CANT WACTH THE VIDEO BLOCKED FOR MY CONTRY THX
@Koserwa5062
Okej
@scmorson
Syaduium . Arcaduim. Bout all I remember if u too.
@leoskratochvil5480
I love you very much !!!!!!!!!!! :-)
@belle_bookworm2533
I love Anthony's facial expressions in all of their videos! He always looks like he's having fun and not taking things too serious
@endgame9275
Yes, he USED to be like this until Stadium Arcadium. Now he doesnt seem like having so much fun anymore
@matguerra333
YEA FLEA do be havin fun. Oh Anthony? Yea, he's a natural actor. He's got the "It" Factor. Kinda like Rogan in that, he would be succesfull in anything. It's a bit of undeniable, w/silly, fun, caring and hard work...Which Flea also has, and the best musician is John so yea, they're a success.
@matguerra333
A little thing called, "Acting" check it out