Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: September 24, 1991

Songwriter: Jimi Hendrix

Producer: Rick Rubin

[Verse 1]
Down the street, you can hear her scream, "You're a disgrace!"
As she slams the door in his drunken face
And now, he stands outside
All the neighbors start to gossip and drool
He cries, "Oh girl, you must be mad
What happened to the sweet love you and me had?"
Against the door, he leans, and starts a scene
But his tears fall, burn, and gard-all green

[Chorus 1]
And some castle made of sand
Fall in the sea eventually

[Verse 2]
An Indian brave, who before he was ten
Played war games in the woods with his Indian friends
And he built a dream, that when he grew up
He would be a fearless warrior, Indian Chief
Many moons passed, and more, the dream grew strong
Until tomorrow, he would sing his first war song
Fight his first battle
But somethin' went wrong
Surprise attack killed him in his sleep that night

[Chorus 2]
And some castle made of sand
Melts into the sea eventually
Take it, Johnny

[Guitar Solo 1:49-2:02]

[Verse 3]
There was a young girl who was heart with a frown
She was crippled for life, and she couldn't speak a sound
And she wished and prayed she could stop livin'
So she decided to die
She drew her wheelchair to the edge of the shore
And to her legs she smiled, "You won't hurt me no more."
But then, a sight she'd never seen made her jump and say
"Look a golden-winged ship is passin' my way."
But it really didn't have to stop
It just kept on goin'

[Chorus 3]
And some castles made of sand
Slips into the sea, eventually

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a rock band based in Los Angeles, CA that incorporates elements of rap, funk, punk, and rock into their work, mainly classified as an alternative rock band. They made it mainstream off the success of their 1991’s fifth studio album Blood Sugar Sex Magik, led by singles “Give it Away” and “Under the Bridge.” After losing guitarist John Frusciante and losing popularity following the release of the less successful One Hot Minute, the band reunited for 1999’s Californication. The title track and hit singles “Around the World,” “Scar Tissue” and “Otherside” propelled them back to the fame. After 2002’s solid release By the Way and 2006’s double-disc Stadium Arcadium, Frusciante once again left the band to further pursue his solo career. The band added Josh Klinghoffer to help fill his void, and released I’m With You in 2011.

In December 2019, the band announced via Instagram that Klinghoffer had left after 10 years, and Frusciante would be rejoining.

Their lyrical content was mostly centered around sex, drugs, and the Los Angeles lifestyle, and lead singer Anthony Kiedis mostly rapped them as he wasn’t confident as vocalist. Most members of the band also suffered from drug addiction, as Kiedis and Frusciante had to check themselves into rehab for heroin addiction at various points in their lives. But Californication marked a change in the band’s content matter and lifestyle. The band was sober for the most part, and the lyrics had shifted to songs about love and the pains of addiction, the title even criticized the city they loved so much. In addition, Kiedis had started to sing his lyrics much more often as he finally felt comfortable with his voice. That change has allowed the band to stick around for over 20 years despite multiple changes to their lineup and is part of why they remain relevant.

more tracks from the album

Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Deluxe Version)

From the album

Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Deluxe Version) (1991)

Red Hot Chili Peppers popular songs

Castles Made of SandRed Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Deluxe Version)