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.
Sick Love
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
California dreamin' is a Pettibon
LA's screaming you're my home
Vanity is blasted but it's rarely fair
I could smell the Prozac in your pretty hair
Got a lot of friends, but is anyone there
I don't know but it's been said
And this location is my home
Stick 'n move you're living in a quick world
Got a heavy laugh for such a tiny girl
Born into it that's for sure
Rivers get connected so much stronger than expected, well
Sick love comes to wash us away
Prisons of perspective
How your vision gets corrected and
Sick love is my modern cliché
People talk and tell you what you want to hear
Do you really need another souvenir
Super heroes tend to disappear
Fame is just a trick you see an empty glass
Leave you feeling thirsty and so very fast
Chase your tail my baby it'll be your last
I don't know but it's been said
Your heart is stronger than your head
And this location is my home
Rivers get connected so much stronger than expected, well
Sick love comes to wash us away
Prisons of perspective
How your vision gets corrected and
Sick love is my modern cliché
Rivers get connected so much stronger than expected, well
Sick love comes to wash us away
Prisons of perspective
How your vision gets corrected and
Sick love is my modern cliché
Openly defective is the lover you elected and
A portrait she was bound to portray
The lyrics to Sick Love by Red Hot Chili Peppers touch on themes of disillusionment with fame and the superficiality of Hollywood. In the first verse, the song references leaving behind the fantasy land of Oz and describing California as “dreamin’” instead of a reality. The singer finds their home in the screaming chaos of LA, despite the vanity and artificiality of the city. The line, “I could smell the Prozac in your pretty hair,” suggests a numbing of emotions to deal with the superficiality of fame and life in Hollywood.
The chorus addresses the idea that love can be both healing and destructive. Sick love is the “modern cliche,” as people often find themselves caught in toxic relationships, unable to break free. The second verse describes the singer’s sense of feeling trapped in a fast-paced world. They describe themselves as living in a “quick world” where they are constantly on the move. This ties in with the theme of disillusionment, as they realize that fame and superficiality are not what they expected.
The final verse touches on themes of fame and the illusion of superheroes. People tell the singer what they want to hear, and they find that fame is an empty glass that leaves them feeling thirsty for something more. In the end, the singer is left feeling disillusioned, suggesting that the lover they have elected to portray is openly defective.
Overall, Sick Love is a song about disillusionment and the price of fame. The lyrics address themes of superficiality, destructive relationships, and the emptiness of stardom.
Line by Line Meaning
Say goodbye to Oz and everything you own
Bid farewell to your previous life along with all your possessions.
California dreamin' is a Pettibon
The idea of living a carefree life in California is represented by the art of Raymond Pettibon.
LA's screaming you're my home
The noisy streets of Los Angeles make it a place of belonging.
Vanity is blasted but it's rarely fair
Although the culture of promoting personal appearance has been criticized, it does not prevent people from being superficial.
I could smell the Prozac in your pretty hair
Your lovely locks may give the impression of a happy self, but there's a chance that you're being medicated to get there.
Got a lot of friends, but is anyone there
Having a bunch of social connections doesn't necessarily mean that it's anything more than that.
Stick 'n move you're living in a quick world
The environment you're living in operates at a fast pace and requires you to be quick on your feet.
Got a heavy laugh for such a tiny girl
You have a big and boisterous laugh for someone of your stature.
Born into it that's for sure
It's not something you acquired, it's something you were always a part of.
Rivers get connected so much stronger than expected, well
Relationships are formed in ways that are often surprising.
Sick love comes to wash us away
Unhealthy relationships can have a harmful impact on our lives.
Prisons of perspective
Our point of view can become our own jail cell.
How your vision gets corrected and
It's possible for your sight to be improved.
Sick love is my modern cliché
My current relationship is reminiscent of something that's often overdone.
People talk and tell you what you want to hear
Folks often provide you with feedback that is agreeable to hear.
Do you really need another souvenir
Is it essential for you to add more material items to your collection?
Super heroes tend to disappear
Individuals that are put on a pedestal are eventually forgotten about.
Fame is just a trick you see an empty glass
Celebrity culture is an illusion that is ultimately lacking substance.
Leave you feeling thirsty and so very fast
It only provides momentary fulfillment before leaving you wanting more.
Chase your tail my baby it'll be your last
If you pursue something endlessly without any progress, it may be your downfall.
Openly defective is the lover you elected and
You chose a partner who is openly flawed.
A portrait she was bound to portray
The image she portrays is inevitable and predetermined.
I don't know but it's been said
There's a common saying.
Your heart is stronger than your head
Your emotional impulses may overpower your logical reasoning at times.
And this location is my home
This place is where I feel at home.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: JOSH ADAM KLINGHOFFER, CHAD SMITH, MICHAEL PETER BALZARY, ELTON JOHN, BERNARD J.P. TAUPIN, ANTHONY KIEDIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnnydeppisarapistjohnnyd8962
UPI ARCHIVES
APRIL 3, 1990
Singer Anthony Kiedis convicted of sexual battery, indecent exposure
Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kiedis performs live on stage. File photo by C.L. Cornish/UPI | License Photo
FAIRFAX, Va. -- The lead singer of the rock group Red Hot Chili Peppers was convicted Tuesday of sexual battery and indecent exposure after a concert in suburban Washington, D.C.
Anthony Kiedis, 27, of Los Angeles, was accused of touching a woman's face with his penis after a concert at George Mason University in Fairfax County on April 21, 1989.
The woman, a student at GMU who served on the university's program board, said the incident occurred outside the band's dressing room after the concert.
Circuit Court jurors recommended that Kiedis be fined $1,000 on each charge. He could have received up to 60 days in jail.
Judge Michael McWeeny set sentencing for Friday. Under Virginia law, McWeeny can impose the jury's recommendation or reduce it, but he cannot increase it.
The Circuit Court trial was an appeal of a ruling by a lower court judge, who found Kiedis guilty of both charges and sentenced him to 60 days in jail.
Kiedis denied ever touching the woman but others said they saw the incident and a band member admitted he made an encouraging statement.
Fans of the rock band, whose music is described as 'white funk,' packed the courtroom during the two days of testimony.
The band's latest album, 'Mother's Milk,' includes the hit songs 'Knock Me Down,' and a remake of the Stevie Wonder tune 'Higher Ground.'
l'k;jlkbj
@fiammavillegas8116
Say goodbye to Oz and everything you own
California dreamin' is a Pettibon
LA's screaming you're my home
Vanity is blasted but it's rarely fair
I could smell the Prozac in your pretty hair
Got a lot of friends, but is anyone there
I don't know but it's been said
Your heart is stronger than your head
And this location is my home
Stick n move you're living in a quick world
Got a heavy laugh for such a tiny girl
Born into it that's for sure
Rivers get connected, so much stronger than expected well
Sick love comes to wash us away
Prisons of perspective, how your vision gets corrected and
Sick love is my modern cliche
People talk and tell you what you want to hear
Do you really need another souvenir
Super heroes tend to disappear
Fame is just a trick you see an empty glass
Leave you feeling thirsty and so very fast
Chase your tail my baby it'll be your last
I don't know but it's been said
Your heart is stronger than your head
And this location is my home
Rivers get connected so much stronger than expected well
Sick love comes to wash us away
Prisons of perspective, how your vision gets corrected and
Sick love is my modern cliche
Rivers get connected so much stronger than expected well
Sick love comes to wash us away
Prisons of perspective, how your vision gets corrected and
Sick love is my modern cliche
Openly defective is the lover you elected and
A portrait she was bound to portray
@wasser8258
My favorite song from the album. Josh couldn´t replace John and John can´t replace Josh. Both are very talented and unique human beings
@cuttingaway123
Yep
@ohadaharoni1955
!
@1sportsangel
Agreed!
@NevDawg34
Good take.
@nevitsp7844
@Zayden Jose wut
@jeremylycan3565
Played this at my dads funeral. He was an old school guy but, this was the only new era song I’d catch him listening to in the living room by himself.
@Rockited
Josh really filled the gap when John was gone. Hope he takes his talent to another band and that band will be very lucky to have him. He proved himself to be a very talented guitarist and all rhcp fans wish him well.
@savoniarickwa6723
Josh plays with pearl jam now
@merrillolen9555
@@savoniarickwa6723Now he plays with Jane's addiction.