Soul to Squeeze
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got a bad disease
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
Take me to the river
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

Overall Meaning

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, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Anthony Kiedis, Michael Balzary, John Frusciante, Chad Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Red Hot Chili Peppers

On this day in 1993, the music video for “Soul To Squeeze” was released. Directed by Kevin Kerslake.

Lee P. Jr

Another of RHCP's greatest songs!

Kelkhe

Cool! :)

Enrique Rea

one of my favorite songs

Aaron Bookvich

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.

158 More Replies...

Nedim K (nedomedo)

This bass line is so soulful, the whole song's got soul. The song sounds a bit like a child of that era, but it doesn't feel dated. So good! The chorus... Goosebumps!

Ryan Rodriguez

Fleeeaaaaaaa

Frost

i’m gonna be real, the opening guitar riff is pretty soulful

Nedim K (nedomedo)

@Frost I totally agree!

Thiyaag Raajn

Feel the same, whenever ami feel lonely this song really a soul to squeeze

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