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The Power of EqualityRed Hot Chili Peppers

Released: September 24, 1991

Songwriter: Chad Smith John Frusciante Flea Anthony Kiedis

Producer: Rick Rubin

[Verse 1]
I've got a soul that can not sleep
At night when something just ain't right
Blood red, but without sight
Exploding egos in the night

Mix like sticks of dynamite
Red, black, or white, this is my fight
Come on courage, let's be heard
Turn feelings into words

American equality has always been sour
An attitude I would like to devour
My name is peace, this is my hour
Can I get just a little bit of power?

[Chorus]
Power of the equality
Is not yet what it ought to be (Ought to be)
It fills me up like a hollow tree (Hollow tree)
The power of equality

[Verse 2]
Right or wrong, my song is strong
You don't like it, get along
Say what I want, do what I can
Death to the message of the Ku Klux Klan

I don't buy supremacy
A-media chief, you menace me
The people you say cause all the crime
Wake up motherfucker and smell the slime

Blackest anger, whitest fear
Can you hear me, am I clear?
My name is peace, this is my hour
Can I get just a little bit of power?

[Chorus]
Power of the equality
Is not yet what it ought to be (Ought to be)
It fills me up like a hollow tree (Hollow tree)
The power of equality

[Verse 3]
I've got tapes, I've got CDs
I've got my Public Enemy
My lily white ass is tickled pink
When I listen to the music that makes me think

Not another motherfuckin' politician
Doin' nothin' but something for his own ambition
Never touch the sound we make
Soul sacred love, vows that we take

To create straight what is true
Yo he's with me and what I do
My name is peace, this my hour
Can I get just a little bit of power?

[Chorus]
Power of the equality
Is not yet what it ought to be (Ought to be)
It fills me up like a hollow tree (Hollow tree)
The power of equality

[Verse 4]
Madder than a motherfucker, lick my finger
Can't forget, 'cause the memory lingers
Count 'em off quick, little Piccadilly sickness
Take me to the hick, eat my thickness

I've got a welt from the Bible belt
A-dealing with the hand that I've been dealt
Sitting in the grip of a killing fist
Giving up blood just to exist

Rub me wrong and I get pissed
No, I can not get to this
People in pain, I do not dig it
Change of brain for Mr. Bigot

[Outro]
Little brother, do you hear me?
Have a heart oh come get near me
Misery is not my friend
But I'll break before I bend
What I see is insanity
Whatever happened to humanity?
Whatever happened to humanity?
Whatever happened to humanity?

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.

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