Songwriter: Anthony Kiedis

Producer: Daniel Lanois

[Verse 1]
Would you believe that I’m tellin' a lie
Would you believe that it’s just a disguise
I don’t invent myself to shelter cause the fame won’t kill me
The shame the game the lame
Broken rapture

[Chorus]
You might not be so down
If you knew my frown
You might not come around
Come over anytime, yeahh

[Verse 2]
Would you believe
I would convince myself to hide but not to be with someone else
You crazy bastard
Would you believe that I’m tellin’ a lie
Would you believe what you see in my eye

[Chorus]
You might not be so down
If you knew my frown
You might not come around
Come over anytime

[Verse 3]
Would you believe that I’m tellin’ a lie
Would you believe that I covered you why
I couldn’t tear myself of hatred from the loaded masses
It’s all it’s all a game, you crazy bastard

[Chorus]
You might not be so down
If you knew my frown
You might not come around
Come over anytime

[Verse 4]
Would you believe that I’m
Telling a lie
Would you believe that is
Just a disguise
I don’t avail myself
I share it because the pain won’t kill me
The shame again be late
The broken rapture

[Verse 5]
It might not be so kind
If you knew my crime
It might not come around
Come over any time yeah
Would you believe
I could convince myself
And have it not to be for someone else
You crazy bastard

[Verse 6]
Would you believe that I’m
Telling a lie
Would you believe what you
See in my eyes
It might not be some time
If you knew my crime
You might not come around
Come over any time - mumble about assail

[Instrumental bridge]

[Verse 7]
Would you believe that I’m
Telling a lie
Would you believe that I
Covered you wide
I could compare myself
A patriot from a loaded asset
It’s all it’s all again
You crazy bastard

[Outro]
It might not be so kind
If you knew my crime
You might not come around
Come over any time
Oh so long
I said no

Red Hot Chili Peppers

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.