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.
Parallel Universe
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's getting harder and harder to tell what came first
I'm underwater where thoughts can breathe easily
Far away you were made in a sea, just like me
Christ, I'm a sidewinder
I'm a California King
I swear it's everywhere, oh
Staring straight up into the sky, oh, my, my
A solar system that fits in your eye, microcosm
You could die but you're never dead, spider web
Take a look at the stars in your head, fields of space kid
Christ, I'm a sidewinder
I'm a California King
I swear it's everywhere, oh
It's everything
Christ, I'm a sidewinder
I'm a California King
I swear it's everywhere, oh
It's everything
Psychic changes are born in your heart, entertain
A nervous breakthrough that makes us the same, bless your heart, girl
Kill the pressure it's raining on, salty cheeks
When you hear the beloved song, I am with you
Christ, I'm a sidewinder
I'm a California King
I swear it's everywhere, oh
It's everything
Christ, I'm a sidewinder
I'm a California King
I swear it's everywhere, oh
It's everything
The song "Parallel Universe" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is about alternate realities and the interconnectedness of everything in the universe. The lyrics suggest that the singer is living in a parallel universe, where it's difficult to distinguish what came first, and that thoughts can breathe easily underwater. The line "far away you were made in a sea, just like me" could suggest that everyone, no matter where they come from, is made up of the same elements and therefore, connected.
One interpretation of the lines "Christ, I'm a sidewinder, I'm a California king" is that the singer is feeling unsure of their place in this world - feeling like they don’t fit in or that they are different than others, like a sidewinder snake or a California king snake, both of which are unique and powerful creatures. The song emphasizes that this feeling is everywhere and everything, suggesting that everyone experiences this feeling at one point or another.
The line "Take a look at the stars in your head, fields of space kid" may suggest that there is infinite potential in one's mind, much like the vastness of space. The line "Psychic changes are born in your heart, entertain" may suggest that changes in one's perspective and outlook in life come from within and can be entertained, embraced and appreciated. The song ends with "When you hear the beloved song, I am with you", reminding the listener that they are not alone in this parallel universe and that they are interconnected with the rest of the universe.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep inside of a parallel universe
The singer is describing a universe that exists alongside our own.
It's getting harder and harder to tell what came first
The singer is becoming increasingly confused about the order of events in this parallel universe.
I'm underwater where thoughts can breathe easily
The singer feels comfortable and at ease in this parallel universe.
Far away you were made in a sea, just like me
The artist senses that there are others like them in this parallel universe.
Christ, I'm a sidewinder
The artist feels like they are slithering and moving in unexpected ways.
I'm a California King
The singer feels powerful and in control.
I swear it's everywhere, oh
The singer is convinced that their perspective is accurate and all-encompassing.
It's everything
The artist's experience of this parallel universe is all-encompassing and all-important.
Staring straight up into the sky, oh, my, my
The artist is gazing up at the sky in awe and wonder.
A solar system that fits in your eye, microcosm
The artist feels small in comparison to the vastness of the universe.
You could die but you're never dead, spider web
The singer is reflecting on the fragility of life and the connectedness of all things.
Take a look at the stars in your head, fields of space kid
The artist is suggesting that we all have an inner universe that we can explore.
Psychic changes are born in your heart, entertain
The singer is acknowledging the transformative power of our emotional experiences.
A nervous breakthrough that makes us the same, bless your heart, girl
The singer believes that we all have the potential for personal growth and transformation.
Kill the pressure it's raining on, salty cheeks
The singer is urging us to release our emotional burdens and let go of our stress.
When you hear the beloved song, I am with you
The artist is offering support and solidarity to those who are feeling alone or overwhelmed.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Michael Peter Balzary, John Anthony Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord 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
mexican tranny
on Right on Time
amo a fela kuti
Jesus Lopez Solsol
on Otherside
lo maximo