Backwoods
The Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
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Someone spilled blood but do you know
That from the backwoods where the Chuck Berry's grow
Come your long tall daddies of a rock and roll
Take me to your backwoods now
Take me to your backwoods now
Spinnin' out of control like a psychedelic soul
With a rhythm hittin' harder than Larry Holmes
Come your long tall daddies of rock and roll
Take me to your backwoods now
Take me to your backwoods now
Take me to your backwoods now
Take me to your backwoods now (yeah)
Oh well Mr. Uplift Mofo my man Bo Diddley hit sippin' a bottle of nickle ripple
Play the lickity split finger licking licks for all you wicked city slick chicks
And all you nitty gritty hick we'll make your nipples ripple
Make you wanna dip your dipple make you wanna soak your hickory stick, that's rigth
Because my man has a grip on it and I do mean on it
Which brings to mind a very sinister minister kind of guy
A man named Little Richard who was born to make them bitches stir
That's right he'll make the sweet substance drip from the middle of your hillbilly lips
And like the farmer milk his cow the howling wolf will howl
And since times does allow, you all can take me to your backwoods now, yo slim
(Take me to your backwoods now) take me to your backwoods
The Red Hot Chili Peppers' song Backwoods explores the roots of rock and roll and honors the pioneers of the genre. The opening verse references the history of violence and bloodshed that has taken place in the backwoods, where musicians like Chuck Berry came from. The chorus calls for the listener to be taken to the backwoods, where these legendary musicians were born and raised. In the next verse, they describe the energy of rock and roll as a psychedelic tornado, with a rhythm that hits harder than boxing heavyweight Larry Holmes. They once again call for the listener to be taken to the backwoods, where the "long tall daddies of rock and roll" come from.
The bridge of the song is a spoken word section that pays tribute to Bo Diddley and Little Richard, both influential figures in early rock and roll. It describes Bo Diddley drinking a bottle of nickel ripple and playing fast-paced guitar licks, while Little Richard "was born to make them bitches stir," referring to his energetic and provocative performances. The spoken word section creates a sense of admiration for these legends and adds to the overall theme of the song which is that rock and roll started in the backwoods, outside of a mainstream society, and grew into the international phenomenon it is today.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone spilled blood many years ago
In the past, a violent event occurred where someone was injured and there was bloodshed.
Someone spilled blood but do you know
Did you know that there was a violent event where someone was injured and there was bloodshed?
That from the backwoods where the Chuck Berry's grow
In the rural areas where Chuck Berry's music is popular,
Come your long tall daddies of a rock and roll
There are musicians in these rural areas who are tall and influential in rock and roll music.
Take me to your backwoods now
Bring me to the rural areas where rock and roll is popular.
Spinning' down from the clouds Like a tornado
Music is coming from above and is powerful like a tornado.
Spinnin' out of control like a psychedelic soul
This music is wild and reminiscent of psychedelic experiences.
With a rhythm hittin' harder than Larry Holmes
The rhythm of the music is intense and hits like a champion boxer.
Oh well Mr. Uplift Mofo my man Bo Diddley hit sippin' a bottle of nickle ripple
There's a man named Bo Diddley who is drinking cheap alcohol.
Play the lickity split finger licking licks for all you wicked city slick chicks
He plays catchy guitar riffs for the urban women.
And all you nitty gritty hick we'll make your nipples ripple
The musicians promise to make the rural women aroused.
Make you wanna dip your dipple make you wanna soak your hickory stick, that's rigth
Their music will make the rural women want to engage in sexual activity.
Because my man has a grip on it and I do mean on it
Bo Diddley is skilled at playing the guitar and has control over the music.
Which brings to mind a very sinister minister kind of guy
Bo Diddley reminds one of a devious preacher.
A man named Little Richard who was born to make them bitches stir
Little Richard is a musician who is meant to cause a stir and excitement.
That's right he'll make the sweet substance drip from the middle of your hillbilly lips
Little Richard's music will make the rural women aroused and their bodily fluids will flow.
And like the farmer milk his cow the howling wolf will howl
The musician has a primal sense of rhythm and power, like a howling wolf.
And since times does allow, you all can take me to your backwoods now, yo slim
If there's time, the musicians are asking to be brought to the rural areas where rock and roll is popular.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, MoeBeToBlame, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: MICHAEL PETER BALZARY, JACK IRONS, ANTHONY KIEDIS, HILLEL SLOVAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind