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.
Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I cry, I cry
I was born in a land, I don't think you understand
God damn, what I am
I'm a native of this place, please don't kick me in my face
My race has been disgraced
(Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
Slap a liar in his eye, kick a hole right in the sky
(Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I wonder why, why
Put us in your pumpkin shell
Where you keep us very well
It's hell, where I dwell
When history books are full of shit
I become the anarchist, I'm pissed at this
What this country claims to be
It's a lie, no place for me, I bleed
Won't somebody testify kick a hole right in the sky
(Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
Slap a liar in his eye, kick a hole right in the sky
(Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I decide to defy
Kill my trust if you must, but in my blood there is the lust
For life, that's right
Apache blood is in my heart, thrashing through me like a shark
Crashing through the dark
Won't somebody testify kick a hole right in the sky
(Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
Slap a liar in his eye, kick a hole right in the sky
(Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I confide, confide
What am I supposed to do, I feel like I'm cut in two
Confused by rules
Do these two cultures clash or am I living in the past?
I ask, please, tell me fast
Won't somebody testify kick a hole right in the sky
(Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
Slap a liar in his eye, kick a hole right in the sky
(Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I thats right
To what do I belong and if I change will I be wrong
Be wrong, thats wrong
I took my foot and kicked a hole in the sky
I proceeded to plead, forefathers, help me decide
A jagged flash of light struck me in the eye
I turned around and found that I was still alive
Snakes rise high from the purple black sky
The red cloud rains and the black horse rides
Then it dawned on me like the mornin' sun
I'm a part of two worlds and the mornin' comes
Glowing embers tend to remember when
The power that is peace was treated as a friend
I am a master of adaption and I've got to take action
I'm a man, the animal man
In this song, "Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky," Red Hot Chili Peppers speaks of the frustration of being a Native American in a land where the natives were treated poorly and sometimes kicked. The song's protagonist sees the skewed history books and feels like an outsider in his homeland. The call for somebody to "testify and kick a hole right in the sky," is a cry for justice and an appeal to call out the lies that have been propagated within the society.
In the verse, "To what do I belong, and if I change will I be wrong. Be wrong that's wrong," the singer seems to be grappling with his identity, wondering which culture he belongs to (and perhaps not feeling like he belongs to either) and what that means for his future.
The chorus repeats the plea of "somebody to testify and kick a hole in the sky" while Johnny is evoked, perhaps as a metaphor for American society's portrayal of the "common man" or the "American dream," which has not included many minorities.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw a star spangled banner yet wave
The singer is seeing the American flag, which is a symbol of freedom in the United States, but it is less relevant to them than their identity.
I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I cry, I cry
The singer is overwhelmed with emotions and begins to cry.
I was born in a land, I don't think you understand
The singer is trying to communicate that they were born in the United States but they do not feel like they belong.
God damn, what I am
The artist is frustrated with their identity and is cursing themselves.
I'm a native of this place, please don't kick me in my face
The artist is proclaiming that they are native to the United States but they feel like an outsider in their own country.
My race has been disgraced
The singer feels that their race has been treated unfairly in American history.
Won't somebody testify kick a hole right in the sky
The singer is asking someone to speak up for equality and justice in the world.
(Testify, testify, kick a hole right in the sky)
The artist is urging people to support their cause and be vocal about their opinions.
Slap a liar in his eye, kick a hole right in the sky
The artist wants to expose the lies in the world and urges people to do the same.
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
The artist calls out to a person named Johnny, who could be a symbol for American society as a whole.
I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I wonder why, why
The singer is questioning the unfair treatment they have received and is trying to understand why society is the way it is.
Put us in your pumpkin shell
The artist is expressing how they feel confined and powerless in American society.
Where you keep us very well
The singer is expressing how they feel oppressed and controlled by society.
It's hell, where I dwell
The singer is describing their living conditions as a terrible place to be.
When history books are full of shit
The singer is suggesting that the history books have been written in a biased way that does not accurately represent what has happened.
I become the anarchist, I'm pissed at this
The artist is frustrated with the world and is willing to challenge it through any means necessary.
What this country claims to be
The artist is questioning the authenticity of American ideals and patriotism.
It's a lie, no place for me, I bleed
The singer feels like they do not have a place in American society and are suffering because of it.
I decided to defy
The singer has made a decision to go against the norms of society.
Kill my trust if you must, but in my blood there is the lust
The artist is proclaiming their determination to fight for what they believe in and are willing to make sacrifices for it.
For life, that's right
The artist is fighting for their right to exist and live their life the way they choose to.
Apache blood is in my heart, thrashing through me like a shark, crashing through the dark
The artist is proud of their Native American heritage and feels it gives them strength to fight for their rights.
What am I supposed to do, I feel like I'm cut in two
The singer is feeling torn between two cultures and does not know how to proceed.
Confused by rules
The artist is struggling to understand the rules and norms of the society they live in.
Do these two cultures clash or am I living in the past?
The singer is questioning if their cultures are incompatible with each other or if they are simply misunderstood.
I ask, please, tell me fast
The singer is asking for answers and guidance from others.
To what do I belong and if I change will I be wrong
The singer is questioning their identity and whether they should change who they are to fit into the society around them.
That's wrong, thats wrong
The artist is rejecting the idea that they should give up who they are to fit into the society around them.
I took my foot and kicked a hole in the sky
The artist is expressing their power to break through barriers and challenge what society deems impossible.
I proceeded to plead, forefathers, help me decide
The singer is asking for guidance from the people who have influenced American history.
A jagged flash of light struck me in the eye
The singer has had a revelation and has been struck by a new understanding of their identity.
I turned around and found that I was still alive
The artist has been through a transformative experience and realizes they are still standing.
Snakes rise high from the purple black sky
The artist is describing their world as chaotic and dangerous.
The red cloud rains and the black horse rides
The artist is describing a world that is foreboding and harsh.
Then it dawned on me like the mornin' sun
The singer has had an epiphany and has realized something important.
I'm a part of two worlds and the mornin' comes
The artist has accepted their bi-cultural identity and understands that both parts make up who they are.
Glowing embers tend to remember when, the power that is peace was treated as a friend
The singer is saying that peace is a powerful force that the world has forgotten how to use.
I am a master of adaption and I've got to take action
The singer can adapt to different situations and is ready to take on the challenges of a changing world.
I'm a man, the animal man
The singer is a man, but they acknowledge their animalistic tendencies and emotions.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL BALZARY, JOHN FRUSCIANTE, ANTHONY KIEDIS, CHAD 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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