Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: September 12, 1995

Songwriter: Chad Smith Dave Navarro Flea Anthony Kiedis

Producer: Rick Rubin

[Verse 1]
I was not created in the likeness of a fraud
Your hell is something scary, I prefer a loving God
We are not the center of this funny universe
And what is worse, I do not serve in fear of such a curse

[Verse 2]
Shallow be thy game, 2000 years, look in the mirror
You play the game of shame and tell your people live in fear
A rival to the way you see, the Bible let him be
I'm a threat to your survival and your control company

[Chorus]
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody

[Verse 3]
To anyone who's listening, you're not born into sin
The guilt they try and give you, puke it in the nearest bin
Missionary madness sweep up culture with a broom
Trashing ancient ways is par for the course, it's fuckin' rude

[Verse 4]
To think that you're above the laws of nature, what a joke
Purple sashes, feeding masses, smoke on which to choke
I might be a monkey when it comes to being holy
Fundamental hatred get down on your knees and

[Chorus]
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody
Oh yeah

[Verse 1]
I was not created in the likeness of a fraud
Your hell is something scary, I prefer a loving God
We are not the center of this funny universe
And what is worse, I do not serve in fear of such a

[Chorus]
You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody

You'll never burn me, you'll never burn me
I will be your heretic, yeah
You can't contain me, I am the power free
Truth belongs to everybody

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

One Hot Minute

From the album

One Hot Minute (1995)

Red Hot Chili Peppers popular songs

Shallow Be Thy GameRed Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers

One Hot Minute