Bassist Flea explained the track’s layered writing process in an official video released by the band on June 11th, 2016. Through this process, Flea says:
"We kept our live energy, but we gained this thoughtfulness in writing… When you’re building like that and you’re kinda taking time and thinking about each part as you write it, there’s a new kind of thoughtfulness that comes into the creative process."
We Turn Red
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got a swimming pool and a cannon ball
We turn red and we turn green
It's the craziest thing I've ever seen
Lost my mind 'cause I'm on the plastic
Who knew it's so damn drastic
Show me what it is you believe in
Do you want to go fishing in New Orleans?
Do you want to get up early in the morning?
Take me to the river where we do the little storming
Hallelujah, I feel it warming
Sitting here I count the moons
The orders we obeyed
Every night 'fore we go to bed
I watch while the others pray
Send it off through Delaware just
Make it fair for the legionnaires
Paint a simple portrait of my kind
Permission to the heartless bombs
Gold Plated Hate and the waitress moms
Serving up the stories of my mind
Mexico, you are my neighbor
Home of the let's be braver
Give me all your sick and your tired
Races that we admire
Do you want to go dancing in Chicago?
Trinidad's got it bad for Tobago
Take me to the lake where we do the Avocado
Hallelujah, a desparado
Sitting here I count the moons
The orders we obeyed
Every night 'fore we go to bed
I watch while the others pray
Send it off through Delaware just
Make it fair for the legionnaires
Paint a simple portrait of my kind
Permission to the heartless bombs
Gold Plated Hate and the waitress moms
Serving up the stories of my mind
Coming down from the deserts where you
Caught a glimpse of the billionaire
Tell me I'm the right one for the ride
Paper signs out on the lawns
Gold minds and the priceless pawns
Does your canyon really open wide?
We got large and we got small
We got a swimming pool and a cannon ball
We turn red and we turn green
It's the craziest thing I've ever seen
The lyrics to Red Hot Chili Peppers' "We Turn Red" depict a surreal and dreamlike world. At the surface level, the song talks about the band's lifestyle - their large and small possessions, their love for swimming and cannonballing, and the vivid colours they can turn into. However, upon closer inspection, the lyrics also touch upon themes of consciousness and spirituality. The lines "Lost my mind 'cause I'm on the plastic/Who knew it's so damn drastic" suggest a struggle with addiction or dependence on material things, while "Show me what it is you believe in/Slowly she sinks all her teeth in" can be interpreted as a call for guidance and spiritual awakening.
The song also references different locations and cultures, such as New Orleans, Mexico, and Chicago. These references, coupled with lines like "Give me all your sick and your tired/Races that we admire," may hint at the idea of unity and acceptance of diversity. The reference to "the others" praying every night before bed suggests a sense of otherness that the singer feels, but at the same time, the song seems to celebrate and embrace differences.
Overall, "We Turn Red" presents a unique and abstract perspective on life and spirituality, touching upon themes of addiction, consciousness, diversity, and unity.
Line by Line Meaning
We got large and we got small
Our group is diverse and includes both big and small people
We got a swimming pool and a cannon ball
We have access to both leisurely and explosive activities
We turn red and we turn green
Our emotions are intense and fluctuating
It's the craziest thing I've ever seen
Our behavior is wild and unpredictable
Lost my mind 'cause I'm on the plastic
I'm experiencing a mental breakdown because of my addiction to plastic (credit cards)
Who knew it's so damn drastic
I didn't realize the seriousness of my plastic dependency
Show me what it is you believe in
Demonstrate your values and beliefs to me
Slowly she sinks all her teeth in
She gradually becomes more emotionally invested
Do you want to go fishing in New Orleans?
Would you like to experience the unique culture of New Orleans by fishing there?
Do you want to get up early in the morning?
Are you willing to wake up early to start the day?
Take me to the river where we do the little storming
Take me to a place where we can cause a bit of commotion
Hallelujah, I feel it warming
My excitement and intensity is increasing
Sitting here I count the moons
Reflecting and observing my surroundings
The orders we obeyed
The rules and expectations we followed
Every night 'fore we go to bed
Before we sleep each night
I watch while the others pray
Observing while others participate in religious worship
Send it off through Delaware just
Send it through Delaware to ensure it's fair
Make it fair for the legionnaires
Ensure fairness for the soldiers
Paint a simple portrait of my kind
Depict my character in a straightforward manner
Permission to the heartless bombs
Allow heartless bombs to exist and cause destruction
Gold Plated Hate and the waitress moms
Disgustingly wealthy racists and struggling, working mothers
Serving up the stories of my mind
Sharing my personal life experiences
Mexico, you are my neighbor
Mexico is geographically close to my home country
Home of the let's be braver
A place where people take risks and overcome fears
Give me all your sick and your tired
Provide me with your most vulnerable citizens
Races that we admire
Cultures and ethnic groups that we hold in high regard
Do you want to go dancing in Chicago?
Would you like to dance in the dynamic city of Chicago?
Trinidad's got it bad for Tobago
The people of Trinidad have strong feelings for Tobago
Take me to the lake where we do the Avocado
Bring me to the spot where we spend time enjoying fresh guacamole
Hallelujah, a desparado
Excited and reckless, embracing cowboy-like qualities
Coming down from the deserts where you
Traversing deserts, where you experienced
Caught a glimpse of the billionaire
Observing and possibly interacting with the incredibly wealthy
Tell me I'm the right one for the ride
Assuming I'm the best-suited person for the journey
Paper signs out on the lawns
Political signs displayed on people's lawns
Gold minds and the priceless pawns
Valuable resources and people used as pawns by the powerful
Does your canyon really open wide?
Do you have a truly expansive, inclusive viewpoint?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Josh Adam Klinghoffer, Michael Peter Balzary, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith, Brian Joseph Burton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gustė Trakytė
We Turn Red
We got large and we got small
We got a swimming pool and a cannon ball
We turn red and we turn green
It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen
Lost my mind ’cause I’m on the plastic
Who knew it’s so damn drastic
Show me what it is you believe in
Slowly she sinks all her teeth in
Do you want to go fishing in New Orleans?
Do you want to get up early in the morning?
Take me to the river where we do the little storming
Hallelujah, I feel it warming
Sitting here I count the moons
The orders we obeyed
Every night ’fore we go to bed
I watch while the others pray
Send it off through Delaware just
Make it fair for the legionnaires
Paint a simple portrait of my kind
Permission to the heartless bombs
Gold Plated Hate and the waitress moms
Serving up the stories of my mind
Mexico, you are my neighbor
Home of the let’s be braver
Give me all your sick and your tired
Races that we admire
Do you want to go dancing in Chicago?
Trinidad’s got it bad for Tobago
Take me to the lake where we do the Avocado
Hallelujah, a desparado
Sitting here I count the moons
The orders we obeyed
Every night ’fore we go to bed
I watch while the others pray
Send it off through Delaware just
Make it fair for the legionnaires
Paint a simple portrait of my kind
Permission to the heartless bombs
Gold Plated Hate and the waitress moms
Serving up the stories of my mind
Coming down from the deserts where you
Caught a glimpse of the billionaire
Tell me I’m the right one for the ride
Paper signs out on the lawns
Gold minds and the priceless pawns
Does your canyon really open wide?
We got large and we got small
We got a swimming pool and a cannon ball
We turn red and we turn green
It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen
MartialWharf772
[Intro]
We got large and we got small
We got a swimming pool and a cannon ball
We turn red and we turn green
It's the craziest thing I've ever seen
[Verse 1]
Lost my mind 'cause I'm on the plastic
Who knew it's so damn drastic
Show me what it is you believe in
Slowly she sinks all her teeth in
Do you want to go fishing in New Orleans?
Do you want to get up early in the morning?
Take me to the river where we do the little storming
Hallelujah, I feel it warming
[Pre-Chorus]
Sitting here I count the moons
The orders we obeyed
Every night 'fore we go to bed
I watch while the others pray
[Chorus]
Send it off through Delaware just
Make it fair for the legionnaires
Paint a simple portrait of my kind
Permission to the heartless bombs
Gold Plated Hate and the waitress moms
Serving up the stories of my mind
[Verse 2]
Mexico, you are my neighbor
Home of the let's be braver
Give me all your sick and your tired
Races that we admire
Do you want to go dancing in Chicago?
Trinidad's got it bad for Tobago
Take me to the lake where we do the Avocado
Hallelujah, a desparado
[Pre-Chorus]
Sitting here I count the moons
The orders we obeyed
Every night 'fore we go to bed
I watch while the others pray
[Chorus]
Send it off through Delaware just
Make it fair for the legionnaires
Paint a simple portrait of my kind
Permission to the heartless bombs
Gold Plated Hate and the waitress moms
Serving up the stories of my mind
[Post-Chorus]
Coming down from the deserts where you
Caught a glimpse of the billionaire
Tell me I'm the right one for the ride
Paper signs out on the lawns
Gold minds and the priceless pawns
Does your canyon really open wide?
[Outro]
We got large and we got small
We got a swimming pool and a cannonball
We turn red and we turn green
It's the craziest thing I've ever seen
ALEXIS AVILA ORTIZ
el sonido es perfecto, me recuerda un poco a una de las etapas por las que pasó la banda, que bueno que se conserve la esencia de la misma y que genial poder tenerlos de nuevo con estas canciones. saludos desde colombia¡
Edward Brooks
This song is just great. Josh's guitar coming in at 2:25 gets me every time.
Freddie Lounds
Same!!!
Raisa Cherry's Universe 🍒
😍💜💜💜👏
AGreenRoss
I absolutely love how the bass line and the guitar dance around each other during the verses. This is some funky shit. Definitely one of my favorites from the new album.
Raisa Cherry's Universe 🍒
😍
elduke 744
Julio 2023..
Y aún no superó está joya de canción 🤌♥️💯
De lo mejor que han hecho los Peppers ♥️🤌
Los amo ♥️💯
Den Yves
¡Amamos Red Hot Chili Peppers! Espero vengan a México pronto :D
Drop Dead McPhee
The chorus on this is absolutely beautiful- the best RHCP songs are the growers
Ignacio Guerin
Chad's groove to this song is so good! That 8/8 tempo goes amazingly with the song. He's my favorite drummer. Love the power and simplicity... If you listen carefully you call hear two guitars answering each other at each channel (L and R) at the chorus and bridges.