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.
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)
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
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
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.
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