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
Walkabout
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And find out what it's all about
And that ain't hard
Just me and my own two feet
In the heat I've got myself to meet
A detective of perspective
I need to try and get a bigger eye, open wideBlood wood flowers in my gaze
Walkabout in a sunny daze
To me now
On a walkabout
You could do it in the city
You could do it in a zone
You could do it in the desert
You could do the unknown
On a walkabout
High desert skies, are what I spy
So fly, you've got to wonder why
The stingrays must be fat this year
Moving slow in my lowest gear
The digeridoo original, man with a dream
I believe the Aborigine
On a walkabout
You could do it with a shuffle
You could do it with a stroll
You could do it with a stride
You could do the unknown
On a walkabout
Bare feet or in my two shoes
One, two
I think I'll go on a walkabout
Find out what it's all about, can't hurt to try
Use your legs to rock it wide
Take a ride to the other side
“Walkabout” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is about taking a journey of self-discovery and seeking a new perspective. The song is about getting out of your comfort zone and exploring the world around you in order to find yourself. The opening line, “I think I'll go on a walkabout and find out what it's all about”, sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is looking for answers and is willing to embark on a physical and emotional journey to find them.
The lyrics capture the essence of what it means to be on a walkabout – a traditional Australian Aboriginal rite of passage where young men would leave their homes, families and everyday lives to spend months living in the wilderness. This was a time for them to learn new skills, discover their spirituality and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others. The “digiridoo original, man with a dream, I believe the Aborigine” lyric references this important aspect of Australian history and culture.
The song’s upbeat tempo and rhythmic guitar riff complement the free-spirited essence of the lyrics. The chorus of “You could do it in the city, you could do it in a zone, you could do it in the desert” speaks to the universal nature of the song’s message – that getting out of your comfort zone and into the world can lead to new insights and perspectives. The song encourages listeners to take that step away from the familiar, with the promise that it will lead to the other side and new horizons.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I'll go on a walkabout
I want to take a journey of self-discovery
And find out what it's all about
To learn more about life and discover its mysteries
And that ain't hard
It is easy to take a walk and explore
Just me and my own two feet
I do not require any vehicle or companion, just myself
In the heat, I've got myself to meet
I want to push myself outside my comfort zone and see how I handle it
A detective of perspective
I am going to look at my surroundings with keen focus to gain insight
I need to try and get a bigger eye, open wide
I want to broaden my perspective and opportunities
Blood wood flowers in my gaze
I am intrigued by the beauty and uniqueness of nature
Walkabout in a sunny daze
I am wandering while enjoying the sunshine and positivity
To me now, on a walkabout
I am determined to complete my adventure
You could do it in the city
Exploration is possible even within a bustling urban setting
You could do it in a zone
Exploration of both the physical and mental realms is possible
You could do it in the desert
Nature can be explored and appreciated even in harsh environments
You could do the unknown
The adventure lies in the discovery of the unknown
High desert skies, are what I spy
The grandeur of nature captures my attention
So fly, you've got to wonder why
The beauty of nature captivates and inspires
The stingrays must be fat this year
Even wildlife is impacted by seasonal changes
Moving slow in my lowest gear
I am content to move slowly and enjoy the experience
The digeridoo original, man with a dream
I am inspired by the Aboriginal culture and their customs
I believe the Aborigine
I have respect for the indigenous people's values and beliefs
You could do it with a shuffle
The pace of discovery can be laid back and comfortable
You could do it with a stroll
Exploration can happen at a leisurely pace
You could do it with a stride
Exploration can be completed at a quick, confident pace
A walk could cure almost all my blues
Granting me peace of mind and encouraging a positive attitude
Bare feet or in my two shoes
The physical state of being is not a determinant of success in this journey
One, two
Just like a walk, life has a straightforward rhythm and path to follow
Find out what it's all about, can't hurt to try
There is no harm in trying and discovering the unknown
Use your legs to rock it wide
I will capitalize on my abilities to explore and expand my opportunities
Take a ride to the other side
The adventure lies in the discovery beyond my current perspective
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Michael Balzary, Anthony Kiedis, David Michael Navarro, 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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