Red Hot Chili Peppers was 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, 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.
Red Hot 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.'"
Red Hot Chili Peppers was 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
Save the Population
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
History's so strong
History's so strong
History's so strong
Sing another drinking song the honky tonk will do
Make another breaking bomb your favorite ingénue
This the distant dawn
I put my cards up on the table
I do this speak cause I am able
One pixie's broken down devotion
I threw my pistol in the ocean
Eyes wide with revelation
Shine at the police station
And when the verdict comes round
I'm sure that you will go down
Stay all night, we'll save the population
Pistol and its pawn
Sail it through the lexicon
Pistol and its pawn
Blood and borderlines be drawn
Take another bottle down the brothel and the shrew
Make another awful sound, a rather gothic brew
History's so strong
History's so strong
I put my cards up on the table
I do this speak cause I am able
One pixie's broken down devotion
I threw my pistol in the ocean
Eyes wide with revelation
Shine at the police station
And when the verdict comes round
I'm sure that you will go down
Stay all night, we'll save the population
The song starts off with repeating the line “History’s so strong” four times, which can be interpreted as a way of showing how the past and the events that happened in history being so powerful and influential in shaping the present and future. The next line is “Sing another drinking song the honky tonk will do”, which implies that people might want to forget about the past and indulge in hedonistic activities to avoid moving forward. The line “make another breaking bomb your favorite ingénue” could be a reference to how society glorifies weapons as if they were movie stars.
Later in the song, the lyrics "I put my cards up on the table, I do this speak cause I am able” could represent the idea that the singer is being honest and is not afraid to speak his thoughts to others. The lines “I threw my pistol in the ocean, eyes wide with revelation, shine at the police station, and when the verdict comes round, I'm sure that you will go down” could be alluding to the power dynamics involved in gun violence and how those in power are often responsible for the misuse of firearms. The last line “Stay all night, we'll save the population” could be a plea to stay and solve problems rather than flee and let issues persist.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing another drinking song the honky tonk will do
Let's forget our problems for a while and drown them with alcohol while listening to some music at the bar.
Make another breaking bomb your favorite ingénue
Create something destructive and consider it to be your pride, something that makes you famous.
This the distant dawn
This is the beginning, but it still feels far away or unclear.
I put my cards up on the table
I am being honest and upfront about my intentions.
I do this speak cause I am able
I speak the truth because I have the capability and willingness to do so.
One pixie's broken down devotion
One's passion for something has deteriorated or is no longer strong.
I threw my pistol in the ocean
I have given up on violence and aggression as a means of resolving conflicts.
Eyes wide with revelation
I have just realized or discovered something big, and my eyes show my excitement and surprise.
Shine at the police station
I am not afraid to be transparent or have my actions scrutinized by authorities.
And when the verdict comes round
When the final judgment or decision is made,
I'm sure that you will go down
I am confident that the person being judged will be found guilty and face the consequences.
Stay all night, we'll save the population
Let's party and forget our problems for a night, because life is too difficult and overwhelming sometimes.
Pistol and its pawn
A weapon and the person who is willing to use it to gain control or power over others.
Sail it through the lexicon
Let the words and their meanings guide your actions and decisions.
Blood and borderlines be drawn
People will fight and die to protect their land and culture, and this can lead to division and hatred between groups.
Take another bottle down the brothel and the shrew
Drink more alcohol and party with women, regardless of how they are treated or objectified.
Make another awful sound, a rather gothic brew
Create something that is disturbing or unsettling, and consider it to be unique or artistic.
History's so strong
The past influences and shapes the present and future, and it is difficult to break away from the patterns and traditions that have been established.
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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