Under The Bridge
WOHNZIMMER - Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
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Sometimes I feel like my only friend
Is the city I live in, the city of angels
Lonely as I am, together we cry
I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion
I walk through her hills 'cause she knows who I am
She sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy
Well, I never worry, now that is a lie
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
Yeah, yeah, yeah
It's hard to believe that there's nobody out there
It's hard to believe that I'm all alone
At least I have her love, the city, she loves me
Lonely as I am, together we cry
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, no, no-no, yeah, yeah
Love me, I say, yeah yeah
One time
(Under the bridge downtown)
Is where I drew some blood
(Under the bridge downtown)
I could not get enough
(Under the bridge downtown)
Forgot about my love
(Under the bridge downtown)
I gave my life away
Yeah, yeah
Oh, no, no-no-no, yeah, yeah
Oh, no, I said, oh, yeah, yeah
Where I stay
"Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers is about the emotional struggles and insecurities the lead vocalist, Anthony Kiedis, faced during his addiction and how he found solace and a sense of belonging in the city of Los Angeles.
The first verse describes Kiedis feeling isolated and alone, longing for a connection and support system. He highlights the city of Los Angeles, also known as the city of angels, as his companion, someone who understands and empathizes with his loneliness. The city symbolizes a sense of unity and shared pain, as they both cry together. Kiedis relies on the city streets and hills for comfort and familiarity, where he feels understood and accepted for his actions and good deeds, even though he admits that sometimes he lies to himself and worries.
The chorus expresses Kiedis's desire to escape the pain and emptiness he felt on a specific day, and longs to be taken to the place he loves, most likely referring to Los Angeles. He wants to be completely immersed in this place of comfort and love, away from the feelings he experienced on that particular day.
The second verse explores the disbelief and sense of isolation Kiedis feels, emphasizing that he thought he was entirely alone. However, he finds solace in the love he receives from the city itself, as he personifies it as a loving entity that understands and supports him. Together, they cry in their shared loneliness.
The bridge section shifts the tone slightly, as Kiedis reflects on a darker period of his life. He mentions drawing blood under a bridge downtown, representing his vulnerability and the harm he brought upon himself during his struggles with addiction. It also suggests a sense of escape and hiding from the world. Kiedis acknowledges that he forgot about his love and gave away his life during this time. The repetition of "yeah yeah" and "no no" intensifies the emotional turmoil he experienced.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, affirming Kiedis's desire to be taken back to the place he loves and where he finds solace and belonging. Overall, "Under the Bridge" is a deeply personal song that explores themes of isolation, addiction, and the healing power of love and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner
There are times when I feel like I lack a companion or someone to share my life with
Sometimes I feel like my only friend
There are times when I feel like the only person I can truly rely on is myself
Is the city I live in, the city of angels
The city I reside in, known as the city of angels, serves as my comfort and refuge
Lonely as I am, together we cry
Despite my loneliness, the city and I share a mutual understanding and comfort in expressing our sorrows
I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion
I navigate through the city's streets because it feels like a companion to me, providing solace and familiarity
I walk through her hills 'cause she knows who I am
As I stroll through the city's hills, I feel a sense of recognition and understanding from the surroundings, as if the city truly knows me
She sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy
The city acknowledges and appreciates the kindness and positive actions I engage in, symbolized by a metaphorical embrace from the winds
Well, I never worry, now that is a lie
Despite what I may claim, the truth is that I still experience worries and concerns, contradicting my previous statement
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
I never want to experience the same emotions I felt on that particular day again
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
Guide me back to the location that holds my deepest affections and take me there completely
It's hard to believe that there's nobody out there
It becomes challenging to comprehend that there is no one else present or available
It's hard to believe that I'm all alone
It becomes difficult to accept that I am entirely by myself
At least I have her love, the city, she loves me
Fortunately, I possess the love and support of the city itself, which cares for me deeply
Lonely as I am, together we cry
In our shared loneliness, the city and I find solace in shedding tears together
(Under the bridge downtown)
Is where I drew some blood
The location underneath the downtown bridge is where I experienced a moment of pain or injury
(Under the bridge downtown)
I could not get enough
Being underneath the downtown bridge wasn't satisfying or fulfilling enough for me
(Under the bridge downtown)
Forgot about my love
In that place below the downtown bridge, I neglected or lost sight of my love
(Under the bridge downtown)
I gave my life away
In that underpass beneath the downtown bridge, I metaphorically sacrificed or surrendered my life
Where I stay
That is where I reside or linger
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael Peter Balzary, John Anthony Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind