Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: August 14, 2012

Songwriter: Chad Smith Josh Klinghoffer Flea Anthony Kiedis

Producer: Rick Rubin

[Intro]
Smile when I'm shy in ways
But I love
Everything of first impressions
Sweet successions

[Verse 1]
Been around for quite a while
I see you kept it versatile
Motivated to combine
Even when it's bad, it's fine
Did she say something that made you cry?
Have you lost it all?
The big fall
Oh, so slowly, comes back holy

[Chorus]
Bishop takes a knight
But I will put up quite a fight, oh
Here's your ham on rye
Elementary, the chemistry
Means everything to me
Long progression's why

[Verse 2]
Set it off to collect knowledge
Quit a job and go to college
All about the aftershock
Swedish latin super Funk
Moses of Manhattan made it great
Pain we celebrate
And I love
The long progression, indiscretion

[Chorus]
Bishop takes a knight
But I will put up quite a fight, oh
Here's your ham on rye
Elementary, the chemistry
Means everything to me
Long progression's why

[Post-Chorus]
In between the reasons
Are the psychedelic seasons, oh
Simple as your stride
Information intimated, elegant and integrated
Sweep your floors with pride

[Bridge]
Smile, cause it's all a ride
All supplied
And I love everything about this session
And this long progression

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]
Bishop takes a knight
But I will put up quite a fight, oh
Here's your ham on rye
Elementary, the chemistry
Means everything to me
Long progression's why

[Post-Chorus]
In between the reasons
Are the psychedelic seasons, oh
Simple as your stride
Elementary, the chemistry
Means everything to me
The long progression's why

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

I’m with You Sessions

From the album

I’m with You Sessions (2013)

Red Hot Chili Peppers popular songs

Long ProgressionRed Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers

I’m with You Sessions