Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: May 5, 2006

Songwriter: Chad Smith Anthony Kiedis John Frusciante Flea

Producer: Rick Rubin

[Verse 1]
All the creatures on the beaches
Making waves in a motion picture
Won't you keep this in between us?
Search and seizure wake up Venus
The dollar bill will mentally ill bill
Mom and dad take your don't be sad pill
Turn the screw and twist my language
Don't forsake me I'm contagious

[Chorus]
There's a reason for the 21st century
Not too sure but I know that it's meant to be
And that it's meant to be
Come on, ooh

[Verse 2]
It's my favorite combination
Coming down with the favored nations
Deep rotation, mutilation
Learn to give and take dictation
Oh, oh oh, oh oh
Like Cain and Abel
Oh, oh oh, oh oh
Time to run this table

[Chorus]
There's a reason for the 21st century
Not too sure but I know that it's meant to be
And that it's meant to be

[Bridge]
Read me your scripture now
Read me your scripture
Read me your scripture and I will twist it
Show me your wrist and I
Show me your wrist and
Show me your wrist and I'll kiss it, kiss it

[Verse 3]
Oh, oh oh, oh oh
Like a Cain and Abel
Oh, oh oh, oh oh
It's time to run this table
Simple soldier hand it over
Stop and read what you just wrote her
Strangulation, altercation
Oral sex and bird migration

[Chorus]
There's a reason for the 21st century
Not too sure but I know that it's meant to be
And that it's meant to be
There's a reason for the 21st century
Not too sure but I know that it's meant to be
And that it's meant to be

[Guitar Solo/Outro]

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

Stadium Arcadium

From the album

Stadium Arcadium (2006)

Red Hot Chili Peppers popular songs

21st CenturyRed Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Stadium Arcadium