The song became an unexpected success when it peaked at number one on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks as well as number twenty-two on the Hot 100.
Soul to Squeeze
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But from my brain is where I bleed
Insanity it seems
Has got me by my soul to squeeze
Well all the love from thee
With all the dying trees I scream
The angels in my dreams (yeah)Have turned to demons of greed that's mean
Where I go I just don't know
I got to got to gotta take it slow
When I find my piece of mind
I'm gonna give you some of my good time
Today love smiled on me
It took away my pain say please
All that you had to free
You gotta let it be oh yeah
Where I go I just don't know
I got to got to gotta take it slow
When I find my piece of mind
I'm gonna give you some of my good time
Oh, so polite indeed
Well I got everything I need
Oh make my days a breeze
And take away my self destruction
It's bitter baby
And it's very sweet
I'm on a rollercoaster
but I'm on my feet
Let me on your shore
I'll be coming back baby
I'll be coming back for more
Doo doo doo doo dingle zing a dong bone
Ba-di ba-da ba-zumba crunga cong gone bad
I could not forget
But I will not endeavor
Simple pleasures aren't as special
But I won't regret it never
Where I go I just don't know
I got to got to gotta take it slow
When I find my piece of mind
I'm gonna give you some of my good time
Where I go I just don't know
I might end up somewhere in Mexico
When I find my piece of mind
I'm gonna keep you for the end of time
In "Soul to Squeeze," the Red Hot Chili Peppers explore their human experience of mental illness and the search for peace of mind. The opening lyrics, "I've got a bad disease, but from my brain is where I bleed," depict the struggle of living with a mental illness, as if the mind is at war with the body. The line "insanity it seems has got me by my soul to squeeze" deepens this theme, implying that mental illness takes hold of the soul and creates a continual discomfort that feels impossible to escape.
The second verse continues the theme of inner turmoil with the line "with all the dying trees I scream." This image might evoke feelings of loss and hopelessness in the face of environmental destruction, but it also emphasizes the individual's pain and how it seems incompatible with the natural world. The transition to the chorus, "where I go I just don't know," expresses the confusion and uncertainty of life with mental illness. However, the following line "when I find my peace of mind, I'm gonna give you some of my good time" hints at a future where the singer can find their footing and share that newfound happiness with others.
The song ends with a sense of possibility, as if the search for happiness is ongoing but not hopeless. The final lines, "Where I go I just don't know, I might end up somewhere in Mexico, when I find my piece of mind, I'm gonna keep you for the end of time," depict an adventurous spirit tempered by the goal of finding inner peace, as well as a desire to share that joy with others. Overall, the song captures the gamut of human emotions while also suggesting that mental illness is a battle that ultimately can be conquered with time and the right support system.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a bad disease
The singer has a negative condition that affects their experience
But from my brain is where I bleed
The singer's emotional pain is causing their turmoil
Insanity it seems
The condition has become overwhelming for the singer
Has got me by my soul to squeeze
The condition is so intense that it is affecting the artist's spirit negatively
Well all the love from thee
Despite this condition, the artist acknowledges and thanks their supportive partner
With all the dying trees I scream
The environment around the singer is reflecting their inner turmoil
The angels in my dreams (yeah)
Previously positive visions have become tainted
Have turned to demons of greed that's mean
The previously positive dreams have become hellish
Where I go I just don't know
The artist is uncertain of their direction in life
I got to got to gotta take it slow
To avoid a worsening of their condition, the artist needs to move at a careful pace
When I find my piece of mind
The singer seeks peace and tranquility
I'm gonna give you some of my good time
Once the artist finds peace, they will share their happiness with their partner
Today love smiled on me
The singer experienced a positive moment
It took away my pain say please
This moment healed the singer's emotional pain
All that you had to free
The singer is grateful for their partner's actions
You gotta let it be oh yeah
The artist's partner should not hold onto negative feelings
Oh, so polite indeed
The artist appreciates their partner's good nature
Well I got everything I need
Despite their previous struggles, the singer now feels fulfilled
Oh make my days a breeze
The singer wants stress-free happiness
And take away my self destruction
The artist wants to avoid negative patterns that can cause harm to themselves
It's bitter baby
Life can be difficult
And it's very sweet
But it can also be enjoyable
I'm on a rollercoaster
Life is a wild ride with its ups and downs
but I'm on my feet
Despite the unpredictability, the artist remains standing
Take me to the river
The singer seeks a fresh start
Let me on your shore
They seek a new environment that is supportive and refreshing
I'll be coming back baby
The singer is willing to try again even after previous struggles
I'll be coming back for more
They are eager to continue experiencing what life has to offer
Doo doo doo doo dingle zing a dong bone
Non-sensical sound effect
Ba-di ba-da ba-zumba crunga cong gone bad
Non-sensical sound effect
I could not forget
The singer can't erase past memories
But I will not endeavor
The artist is not actively seeking to forget either
Simple pleasures aren't as special
The artist has become less attached to material desires
But I won't regret it never
Despite this shift in perspective, they will not hate themselves for wanting material things
I might end up somewhere in Mexico
The singer is open to unexpected, unplanned possibilities
When I find my piece of mind
Peace of mind is still a priority
I'm gonna keep you for the end of time
The singer wants to share their life with their supportive partner forever
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Anthony Kiedis, Michael Balzary, John Frusciante, Chad Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wijisas3157
I got a bad disease
Up from my brain is where I bleed
Insanity it seems
Has got me by my soul to squeeze
Well all the love from me
With all the dying trees I scream
The angels in my dreams, yeah
Have turned to demons of greed
That's mean
Where I go, I just don't know
I got to, got to, gotta take it slow
When I find my peace of mind
I'm gonna give you some of my good time
Today love smiled on me
It took away my pain, said please
I'll let your ride be free
You gotta let it be
Oh yeah
Where I go, I just don't know
I got to, gotta, gotta take it slow
When I find my peace of mind
I'm gonna give you some of my good time
You're so polite indeed
Well I got everything I need
Oh make my days a breeze
And take away my self destruction
It's bitter baby and it's very sweet
A holy roller-coaster but I'm on my feet
Take me to the river, let me on your shore
Well, I'll be coming back baby, I'll be coming back for more
Doo doo doo doo dingle zing a dong bone
Ba-di ba-da ba-zumba crunga cong gone bad
I could not forget but I will not endeavour
Simple pleasures are much better, but I won't regret it, never
Where I go, I just don't know
I got to, got to, gotta take it slow
When I find my peace of mind
I'm gonna give you some of my good time
Where I go I just don't know
I might end up somewhere in Mexico
When I find my peace of mind
I'm gonna keep it for the end of time
@redskinswin021
This song used to be my Ringtone when I was younger for the longest time. Just listening to it again brings back soo many great memories of a time where I was so happy and life was so much more care-free.
Now I'm sitting here alone thinking of all of my best friends and loved ones who shared these times with me but are now gone forever.
I lost my first true love unexpectedly at the age of just 17, I also lost another one of my best friends unexpectedly that I've known for 17 years at the end of June (the 22nd) of this year, and after that I ended up shockingly losing my final best friend that I've known since I was 5 years old on August 31st, and our friendships were some of the best damn times I've ever had for 32+ years. 🥹
Life isn't fair, and it's so damn short. Please don't ever forget to tell the people you love how much they mean to you, and do it often. 🙏
Never take it for granted either because you never know when your last chance to say goodbye will be.
Okay I'm crying again now. 😭💔 My broken heart is completely destroyed, but I'm still going to continue to try my best to pour out as much love as I can to all of you still.
I love every single one of you... 🫶🧡🫶🧡
@RedHotChiliPeppers
On this day in 1993, the music video for “Soul To Squeeze” was released. Directed by Kevin Kerslake.
@LeePJr
Another of RHCP's greatest songs!
@gabrielakiedis8823
I LOVE YOU ANTHONY!!!
@kelkhe6029
Cool! :)
@GothamKnight99
one of my favorite songs
@AaronBookvich
At the time between this song and under the bridge I thought the chili's were woosing out... but I enjoy both songs now. But teenage me wanted the heavier funk rock back then.
@dylandog1289
For me, this is THE RHCP song. It proudly showcases the entire band and has such a timeless groove it could appear on ANY of their albums and dominate. Such a gem.
@daryldraws8083
This song alone will classify them as legends. This is their signature sound, vibe, groove, melody, etc. RHCP best song! Yes they have even better songs in musical value, but in personal connection, this one is the closest and deepest to me, it feels like these 4 musicians are giving me a group hug, best feeling when im at my worse state of mind😌😭😌😌❤️❤️❤️❤️.
@TiggerLoves420
I totally agree with both of you guys! This song is timeless and I honestly don’t think they could’ve done any better with this 💕
@alifakhreddine998
It has a sound similar to Californiacation. Before john getting sober.. imagine if One Hot Minute to he ad John Frusciante was on it would be unbelievable