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.
If You Have to Ask
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rob another bank, he's a sock 'em in the eye guy
Tank head, Mr. Bonnie and Clyde guy
Look him in the eye, he's not my kinda guy
Never be confusion proof-uh
Pudding's sweet but too aloof-uh
Orange-eyed girl with a backslide dew said
Yo homie, who you talkin' to?
One uppercut to the cold upper middle class
Born to storm on boredom's face
Add a little lust to the funky-ass Flea bass
Most in the race just lose their grace
The blackest hole in all of space
Crooked as a hooker, now suck my thumb
Anybody wanna come get some?
(If you have to ask) you'll never know
Funky motherfuckers will not be told to go
(If you have to ask) you'll never know
Funky motherfuckers will not be told to go-o-o-o
Don't ask me why I'm flyin' so high
Mr. Bubble meets Superfly in my third eye
Searchin' for a soul bride, she's my freakette
Soak it up inside, deeper than a secret
Much more than meets the eye
To the funk I fall into my new ride
My hand, my hand
Magic on the one is a medicine man
Thinkin' of a few
Taboos that I ought to kill
Dancin' on their face
Like a stage in Vaudeville
I feel so good, can't be understood
Booty of a hoodlum rockin' my red hood
(If you have to ask) you'll never know
Funky motherfuckers will not be told to go
(If you have to ask) you'll never know
Funky motherfuckers will not be told to go-o-o-o
The lyrics to "If You Have to Ask" by Red Hot Chili Peppers speak to a rebellious spirit, rejecting conformity and embracing individuality. The song includes references to gangsters, robbing banks and physical altercations, but it's not just about violence. The lyrics suggest that there's a deeper rebellion happening, a rejection of societal norms and expectations.
The lines "Never be confusion proof-uh / Pudding's sweet but too aloof-uh" suggest that it's important to embrace complexity and avoid being too simplistic in one's understanding of the world. The reference to an "orange-eyed girl with a backslide dew" could be interpreted as someone who is unique and unconventional, and not easily understood by those around her.
The chorus repeats the refrain "If you have to ask, you'll never know," which could suggest that if someone is asking about the rebellious attitude or lifestyle of the band or the people the lyrics describe, they don't understand it and never will. The lyrics in general convey a sense of freedom and energy, of pushing back against authority and breaking away from the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
A wannabe gangster thinkin' he's a wise guy
A person who desires to be a gangster but is not, believing that they are quick-witted
Rob another bank, he's a sock 'em in the eye guy
He would rather use violence to commit crime than intelligence.
Tank head, Mr. Bonnie and Clyde guy
A person who romanticizes and emulates criminal behavior.
Look him in the eye, he's not my kinda guy
The artist does not want to associate with the aforementioned person.
Never be confusion proof-uh
It is impossible to never experience confusion.
Pudding's sweet but too aloof-uh
Despite the appealing nature of pudding, it can also be disconnected and unapproachable.
Orange-eyed girl with a backslide dew said
A girl with orange eyes and hairstyle said
Yo homie, who you talkin' to?
Hey friend, to whom are you speaking to?
A backed up paddywagon mackin' on a cat's ass
A police transport vehicle stuck in traffic, flirting with the rear of a car.
One uppercut to the cold upper middle class
A metaphorical punch at people who are wealthy yet emotionally unfulfilled.
Born to storm on boredom's face
The person was created to conquer boredom and lack of stimulation.
Add a little lust to the funky-ass Flea bass
Introduce sexual desire to the energetic bass playing of Flea.
Most in the race just lose their grace
The majority of people competing in life lose their sense of nobility and elegance.
The blackest hole in all of space
A bottomless pit of emptiness and despair.
Crooked as a hooker, now suck my thumb
As deceptive as a prostitute, now submit to me.
Anybody wanna come get some?
Is anyone willing to engage in a challenge or altercation?
(If you have to ask) you'll never know
If someone must ask, they will never understand or be part of the group.
Funky motherfuckers will not be told to go
People with an unconventional, funky nature and spirit cannot be told to leave.
Don't ask me why I'm flyin' so high
Do not inquire as to why I am experiencing euphoria.
Mr. Bubble meets Superfly in my third eye
A combination of child's bubble bath and a popular blaxploitation film character exist in the artist's imagination.
Searchin' for a soul bride, she's my freakette
The artist is seeking a significant other who has a unique and unconventional spirit.
Soak it up inside, deeper than a secret
Absorb it internally, further protected than a confidential piece of information.
Much more than meets the eye
There is a deeper meaning and complexity to the situation than what is visible on the surface.
To the funk I fall into my new ride
The music inspired the artist to fully immerse themselves in their current situation.
My hand, my hand
The singer reaffirms the presence of their hand.
Magic on the one is a medicine man
The person playing music possesses extraordinary skill and ability, like a spiritual healer.
Thinkin' of a few
Taboos that I ought to kill
Considering a few personal restrictions that the singer should remove.
Dancin' on their face
Like a stage in Vaudeville
Metaphorically causing others discomfort, like a comedic performer enacting slapstick humor.
I feel so good, can't be understood
The artist's sensation of pleasure is beyond comprehension or explanation.
Booty of a hoodlum rockin' my red hood
The attractive rear end of someone considered rebellious wearing their red hood is captivating the singer's attention.
(If you have to ask) you'll never know
If someone must ask, they will never understand or be part of the group.
Funky motherfuckers will not be told to go
People with an unconventional, funky nature and spirit cannot be told to leave.
Lyrics © MoeBeToBlame, 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
@Pride317
Lyrics
A wanna be gangster
Thinking he's a wise guy
Rob another bank,
He's a sock 'em in the eye guy
Tank head,
Mr. Bonnie and Clyde guy
Look him the eye,
He's not my kinda guy
Never wanna be confusion proof
Pudding's sweet but too aloof
Orange eye girl with
A backslide dew said
Yo, homie, who you talking to?
A backed up paddywagon
Macking on a cat's ass
One uppercut to the
Cold upper middle class
Born to storm on boredom's face
Add a little lust to
The funky ass Flea bass
Most in the race just lose their grace
The blackest hole in all of space
Crooked as a hooker,
now suck my thumb
Anybody wanna come get some?
(If you have to ask)
You'll never know
Funky motherfucker will not be told to go
(If you have to ask)
You'll never know
Funky motherfucker will not be told to go
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Don't ask me why I'm flying so high
Mr. Bubble meets superfly
In my third eye
Searching for a soul-bride,
She's my freakette
Soak it up inside,
Deeper than a secret
Much more than meets the eye
To the funk, I fall into my new ride
My hand, my hand
Magic on the one is a medicine man
Thinking of a few taboos
That I ought to kill
Dancing on their face
Like a stage in Vaudeville
I feel so good can't be understood
Booty of a hoodlum rocking my red hood
(If you have to ask)
You'll never know
Funky motherfucker will not be told to go
(If you have to ask)
You'll never know
Funky motherfucker will not be told to go
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
[Guitar Solo]
@vibrantdragon3123
3:12 The solo was totally improvised and surprised the team in the studio so much that the applause can be heard.
@denesmatheus
masterpiece
@jvioletsky7526
yeah... applause with buttocks
@msorte
Such a unique solo and with amazing feel and tasty note choices.
@qweasdzxcname
improvising something while recording isnt improvising. its just trying stuff.
@raweed2758
@@qweasdzxcname that sounds like improvising
@dylanwesley3964
Chad Smith is such a damn fine drummer
@jameswelch5636
you mean will ferrell?
@Superboy-hd5zq
best drummer ever
@cactusdemar
he is such a chad