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.
Punk Rock Classic
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a rockin' popstar with a get up and go
Rubbin' elbows with the big wigs at my sold out shows
I've been on every cover even rolling stone
Put us on MTV
All we really need
Begging on our knees
Please, please, please, please, please
Conforming to the norm straight out of the mold
Compromising each and every ounce of soul
I'm a doin' anything for the records of gold
I only want what I can hold
Put us on MTV
All we really need
Begging on our knees
Please, please, please, please, please
We know that we'll never be better than
Mister slick superstar David Letterman
I promise we'll be perfect gentlemen
Just put us on the show you'll regret us then
Put us on MTV
All we really need
Begging on our knees
Please, please, please, please, please
Thank you very much be sure to label us
We wouldn't want to cause a ruckus or a fuss
AOR, CHR, top forty or bust
Put us on MTV
All we really need
Begging on our knees
Please, please, please, please, please
What I am is a picture on the TV screen
Don't make waves don't make a scene
What I say when I play isn't worth a bean
I'm a video Joe in an industry
Put us on MTV
All we really need
Begging on our knees
Please, please, please, please, please
The lyrics to "Punk Rock Classic" by Red Hot Chili Peppers describe the desperation of a musician who is willing to conform to any norms and mold himself to fit the industry's expectations of a successful artist. The singer compares himself to a "radio Joe of the biz called show" and a "rockin' popstar with a get up and go," rubbing elbows with the big wigs at sold-out shows and being featured on every cover, including Rolling Stone. He recognizes that the key to success is to be played on MTV and to make it onto the Top Forty charts. He even promises to be a "perfect gentleman," as long as he's given the opportunity.
However, the singer is also aware that his music and his message are not particularly meaningful. He describes himself as a "picture on the TV screen" and admits that "what [he] say when [he] play[s] isn't worth a bean." Despite this, he is still willing to sell his soul for a chance at fame and fortune.
Overall, "Punk Rock Classic" is a critique of the music industry and the culture of celebrity. It highlights the difficulty of maintaining artistic integrity while still achieving commercial success. The lyrics suggest that being "put on MTV" and "begging on [their] knees" may be the only way for some artists to make it big, even if it means compromising their values and their art.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a radio Joe of the biz called show
I'm a DJ in the music industry
I'm a rockin' popstar with a get up and go
I'm a musician who has determination and energy
Rubbin' elbows with the big wigs at my sold out shows
I'm networking with the influential people at my concerts
I've been on every cover even rolling stone
I've been featured in the most popular publications, including Rolling Stone
Put us on MTV
We want our music video to be aired on MTV
All we really need
That's all we desire
Begging on our knees
We're desperate for this opportunity
Please, please, please, please, please
We're pleading for MTV to play our music video
Conforming to the norm straight out of the mold
We're following the standard expectations for musicians
Compromising each and every ounce of soul
We're sacrificing our creativity and authenticity to fit in
I'm a doin' anything for the records of gold
I'm willing to do anything for platinum records
I only want what I can hold
I only want what I can physically have
We know that we'll never be better than
We're aware that we can't surpass
Mister slick superstar David Letterman
The highly successful David Letterman
I promise we'll be perfect gentlemen
We'll make sure to act respectfully
Just put us on the show you'll regret us then
If you don't feature us on your show, you'll regret it
Thank you very much be sure to label us
Please make sure to categorize us appropriately
We wouldn't want to cause a ruckus or a fuss
We don't want to be difficult
AOR, CHR, top forty or bust
Our music should be classified as Adult Oriented Rock or Contemporary Hit Radio, and if it isn't popular, it's not worth it
What I am is a picture on the TV screen
I'm just an image on the screen
Don't make waves don't make a scene
I don't want to cause a disturbance
What I say when I play isn't worth a bean
My commentary during my performances isn't valuable
I'm a video Joe in an industry
I'm a music video producer
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: MICHAEL BALZARY, JOHN FRUSCIANTE, ANTHONY KIEDIS, CHAD SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CarEdy23
I love this song, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Punk Rock
TheINfamousrocker
the end is perfectly epic!
Gualty T.
Yes.
卓也北村
After all, I like it the most among the Red Hot Chili Peppers bands.Listen to this song guys!
RowellBen
Its a good thing in my perspective, they should do a cover of it!
Eric
Punk Rock Classic, true.
Rodrigo Gonzalez
Sweet child of mine al final
Aloverssoulz
Great video
Javier Gonzalez
Do they have two songs that sound similar?
Matt Mower
@Bayview05 pretty sure the red hot chili peppers came first but i doubt they copied each other.