It is one of the only tracks on By the Way which revisits the original Chili Peppers method of short, rapped verses, containing fewer amounts of implemented texture. "Can't Stop" is unique, however, as it contains melodic and layered guitar and lyrical progressions, which the band's earlier work did not.
The song was the Chili Peppers' seventh number one Billboard Modern Rock Hit, and peaked at number fifty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The song influenced various other charts Worldwide, as well as Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts, respectively.
This song is a playable track in the game Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades.
Can't Stop
Red Hot Chilli Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cop top he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunkt the pistol that you pay for
This punk the feeling that you stay for
In time I want to be your best friend
Knock out but boy you better come to
Don't die you know the truth as some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant
White heat is screaming in the jungle
Complete the motion if you stumble
Go ask the dust for any answers
Come back strong with 50 belly dancers
The world I love
The tears I drop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you
The world I love
The trains I hop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to
Sweetheart is bleeding in the snowcone
So smart she's leading me to ozone
Music the great communicator
Use two sticks to make it in the nature
I'll get you into penetration
The gender of a generation
The birth of every other nation
Worth your weight the gold of meditation
This chapter's going to be a close one
Smoke rings I know you're going to blow one
All on a spaceship persevering
Use my hands for everything but steering
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
Moptops are happy when they feed you
J. Butterfly is in the treetop
Birds that blow the meaning into bebop
The world I love
The tears I drop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you
The world I love
The trains I hop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to
Wait a minute I'm passing out
Win or lose just like you
Far more shocking
Than anything I ever knew
How about you
Ten more reasons
Why I need somebody new just like you
Far more shocking than anything I ever knew
Right on cue
Can't stop addicted to the shindig
Cop top he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunkt the pistol that you pay for
This punk the feeling that you stay for
In time I want to be your best friend
Eastside love is living on the Westend
Knock out but boy you better come to
Don't die you know the truth as some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant
Kick start the golden generator
Sweet talk but don't intimidate her
Can't stop the gods from engineering
Feel no need for any interfering
Your image in the dictionary
This life is more than ordinary
Can I get two maybe even three of these
Coming from space
To teach you of the Pleiedes
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
This life is more than just a read through
The song “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers is an uplifting song about living life to the fullest and being true to oneself. The lyrics reflect a strong desire to break free from societal norms and expectations, as seen in the line “choose not a life of imitation”. The song speaks to the idea of living in the moment and not being held back by fear or doubt, as seen in the line “can’t stop the spirits when they need you”. The lyrics also encourage personal growth and self-discovery, as seen in the line “in time I want to be your best friend”.
The song features a dynamic and energetic instrumental arrangement, with catchy guitar riffs, pounding drums and powerful vocals. The chorus is particularly striking and catchy, with the repeated phrase “the world I love, the tears I drop, to be part of the wave can’t stop”. This chorus embodies the central theme of the song, highlighting the importance of embracing life and all its ups and downs.
Overall, “Can’t Stop” is an inspiring song that encourages listeners to live their best lives, to embrace all that life has to offer, and to be true to themselves in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't stop addicted to the shindig
I cannot prevent myself from indulging in the party and the excitement it brings
Cop top he says I'm gonna win big
The authority figure assures me of great success in my endeavors
Choose not a life of imitation
Avoid living a life merely copying others around you
Distant cousin to the reservation
Feeling like an outsider, disconnected from my roots
Defunkt the pistol that you pay for
Abandon the weapon you paid for
This punk the feeling that you stay for
Savor this rebellious feeling that you hold onto
In time I want to be your best friend
Over time, I desire to become your closest companion and confidante
Eastside love is living on the Westend
A love from one part of town exists and thrives in another part of town
Knock out but boy you better come to
You might be momentarily stunned or knocked out, but you better recover quickly
Don't die you know the truth as some do
Do not succumb to death, as some unfortunate people do when their truth is revealed
Go write your message on the pavement
Express your message by writing it on the sidewalk so everyone can see
Burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant
Shining so brilliantly that I am curious about the significance of the phenomena
White heat is screaming in the jungle
The intense and violent struggle is happening in this place like the feverish heat of a jungle
Complete the motion if you stumble
Finish your movement even if you encounter a setback
Go ask the dust for any answers
The universe holds the answers you seek, even if you must consult the ephemeral dust
Come back strong with 50 belly dancers
Return powerfully with a suave squad of 50 belly dancers
The world I love
I adore the world around me
The tears I drop
I cry for the world I cherish
To be part of
To share in, and contribute to
The wave can't stop
The movement of change and progress will not be halted
Ever wonder if it's all for you
Have you ever questioned if the entire world revolves around you?
The trains I hop
I catch various trains to lead me to my destination
Come and tell me when it's time to
Notify me when it's time to act or change course
Sweetheart is bleeding in the snowcone
The one I love is in agony and the situation is hopeless
So smart she's leading me to ozone
She's so intelligent that she's taking me to extraordinary heights
Music the great communicator
Music is a profound form of communication
Use two sticks to make it in the nature
Even with limited resources, we can improvise and create something beautiful
I'll get you into penetration
I will help you achieve deeper understanding and insight
The gender of a generation
The idea of gender is an essential aspect of our generation
The birth of every other nation
This generation gives birth to every other nation
Worth your weight the gold of meditation
The practice of meditation has immense value and is worth the effort put into it
This chapter's going to be a close one
This situation is going to end up being difficult and tense
Smoke rings I know you're going to blow one
I'm sure you're going to create a swirling ring of smoke
All on a spaceship persevering
We're all in this together, continuing our journey to the final destination
Use my hands for everything but steering
I utilize my hands for almost everything except steering
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
One cannot halt the influence of the soul when it requires your participation
Moptops are happy when they feed you
People who are aimlessly following the latest trends are happy when you accept their ideologies
J. Butterfly is in the treetop
J. Butterfly has ascended high into the treetop
Birds that blow the meaning into bebop
The birds are the ones who impart the meaning behind the music genre of bebop.
Kick start the golden generator
Ignite the process that creates great things
Sweet talk but don't intimidate her
Charisma and a pleasant disposition will woo her, but avoid making her feel threatened
Can't stop the gods from engineering
The divine entities have designed life and its course
Feel no need for any interfering
Do away with any seeking of influence or obstruction
Your image in the dictionary
Your likeness is immortalized in the reference book
This life is more than ordinary
There's something special and extraordinary about this existence
Can I get two maybe even three of these
May I acquire two, or perhaps even three of these items?
Coming from space
These things originate from the cosmos
To teach you of the Pleiedes
To provide knowledge about the constellation of Pleiades
This life is more than just a read through
This existence should not be taken simply as a dry run, it's an authentic experience
Contributed by Brayden B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chandramohan_sonder
Lyrics:
Can't stop, addicted to the shindig
Chop Top, he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunct, the pistol that you pay for
This punk, the feelin' that you stay for
In time, I want to be your best friend
East Side love is living on the West End
Knocked out, but boy, you better come to
Don't die, you know, the truth is some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burn so bright, I wonder what the wave meant
White heat is screamin' in the jungle
Complete the motion if you stumble
Go ask the dust for any answers
Come back strong with 50 belly dancers
The world I love, the tears I drop
To be part of the wave, can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you?
The world I love, the trains I hop
To be part of the wave, can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to
Sweetheart is bleeding in the snow cone
So smart, she's leading me to ozone
Music, the great communicator
Use two sticks to make it in the nature
I'll get you into penetration
The gender of a generation
The birth of every other nation
Worth your weight, the gold of meditation
This chapter's gonna be a close one
Smoke rings, I know you're gonna blow one
All on a spaceship, persevering
Use my hands for everything but steering
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
Mop tops are happy when they feed you
J. Butterfly is in the treetop
Birds that blow the meaning into bebop
The world I love, the tears I drop
To be part of the wave, can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you?
The world I love, the trains I hop
To be part of the wave, can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to
Wait a minute, I'm passin' out, win or lose
Just like you
Far more shocking than anything I ever knew
How about you?
Ten more reasons why I need somebody new
Just like you
Far more shocking than anything I ever knew
Right on cue
Can't stop, addicted to the shindig
Chop Top, he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunct, the pistol that you pay for
This punk, the feelin' that you stay for
In time, I want to be your best friend
East Side love is living on the West End
Knocked out, but boy, you better come to
Don't die, you know, the truth is some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burn so bright, I wonder what the wave meant
Kick-start the golden generator
Sweet talk but don't intimidate her
Can't stop the gods from engineering
Feel no need for any interfering
Your image in the dictionary
This life is more than ordinary
Can I get two, maybe even three of these?
Comin' from space to teach you of the Pleiades
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
This life is more than just a read-through
@happyheart8888
Lyrics for you 🌷
Lyrics
Can't stop addicted to the shindig
Chop top he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunct, the pistol that you pay for
This punk, the feeling that you stay for
In time I want to be your best friend
Eastside love is living on the Westend
Knock out but boy you better come to
Don't die you know the truth is some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burn so bright I wonder what the wave meant
White heat is screaming in the jungle
Complete the motion if you stumble
Go ask the dust for any answers
Come back strong with 50 belly dancers
The world I love
The tears I drop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you
The world I love
The trains I hop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to
Sweetheart is bleeding in the snow cone
So smart she's leading me to ozone
Music the great communicator
Use two sticks to make it in the nature
I'll get you into penetration
The gender of a generation
The birth of every other nation
Worth your weight the gold of meditation
This chapter's going to be a close one
Smoke rings I know your going to blow one
All on a spaceship persevering
Use my hands for everything but steering
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
Moptops are happy when they feed you
J. Butterfly is in the treetop
Birds that blow the meaning into bebop
The world I love
The tears I drop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you
The world I love
The trains I hop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to
Wait a minute I'm passing out
Win or lose just like you
Far more shocking
Than anything I ever knew
How about you
Ten more reasons
Why I need somebody new just like you
Far more shocking than anything I ever knew
Right on cue
Can't stop addicted to the shindig
Chop top he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunkt the pistol that you pay for
This punk the feeling that you stay for
In time I want to be your best friend
Eastside love is living on the Westend
Knock out but boy you better come to
Don't die you know the truth is some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burn so bright I wonder what the wave meant
Kick start the golden generator
Sweet talk but don't intimidate her
Can't stop the gods from engineering
Feel no need for any interfering
Your image in the dictionary
This life is more than ordinary
Can I get two maybe even three of these
Coming from space
To teach you of the Pleides
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
This life is more than just a read through
@JzenricGingoyon
If you wanted the LYRICS, then… here.
Can't stop, addicted to the shindig
Chop Top, he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunct, the pistol that you pay for
This punk, the feelin' that you stay for
In time, I want to be your best friend
East Side love is living on the West End
Knocked out, but boy, you better come to
Don't die, you know, the truth is some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burn so bright, I wonder what the wave meant
White heat is screamin' in the jungle
Complete the motion if you stumble
Go ask the dust for any answers
Come back strong with 50 belly dancers
The world I love, the tears I drop
To be part of the wave, can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you?
The world I love, the trains I hop
To be part of the wave, can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to
Sweetheart is bleeding in the snow cone
So smart, she's leading me to ozone
Music, the great communicator
Use two sticks to make it in the nature
I'll get you into penetration
The gender of a generation
The birth of every other nation
Worth your weight, the gold of meditation
This chapter's gonna be a close one
Smoke rings, I know you're gonna blow one
All on a spaceship, persevering
Use my hands for everything but steering
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
Mop tops are happy when they feed you
J. Butterfly is in the treetop
Birds that blow the meaning into bebop
The world I love, the tears I drop
To be part of the wave, can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you?
The world I love, the trains I hop
To be part of the wave, can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to
Wait a minute, I'm passin' out, win or lose
Just like you
Far more shocking than anything I ever knew
How about you?
Ten more reasons why I need somebody new
Just like you
Far more shocking than anything I ever knew
Right on cue
Can't stop, addicted to the shindig
Chop Top, he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunct, the pistol that you pay for
This punk, the feelin' that you stay for
In time, I want to be your best friend
East Side love is living on the West End
Knocked out, but boy, you better come to
Don't die, you know, the truth is some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burn so bright, I wonder what the wave meant
Kick-start the golden generator
Sweet talk but don't intimidate her
Can't stop the gods from engineering
Feel no need for any interfering
Your image in the dictionary
This life is more than ordinary
Can I get two, maybe even three of these?
Comin' from space to teach you of the Pleiades
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
This life is more than just a read-through.
@RedHotChiliPeppers
It has been confirmed that the Red Hot Chili Peppers will embark on a world tour in 2022! Sign up on https://redhotchilipeppers.com for more information.
@kamazCool
i love lalisa manoban <333 she is my biggest crush
@OLVIANNA
Whooooaoaoaoaoaoaoaoaoowowow
@mjsgurl5282
oh my godddddd ..yall should come to Greece
@punk7246
:O
@TheJazzyPerson
oh wow neat a new comment on a 12 year old video
@TheSparty301
"Wear a shirt."
Anthony: No
"Wear a tent."
Anthony: OK
@simon-di7xt
Hy
@whatisyoursporenameifyouha8044
Well red hot chili peppers is about indivituality and expressing yourself so thats why he just does whatever
@gnedsu
"Flea, can you... F*ck it carry on.". 🤦🏾♀️🙄😄