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Subterranean Homesick BluesRed Hot Chili Peppers

Released: September 29, 1987

Songwriter: Bob Dylan

Producer: Michael Beinhorn

[Verse 1]
Johnny's in the basement mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat, badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough: wants to get it paid off

[Verse 2]
God knows when but you're doing' it again!
You better duck down the alleyway looking for a new friend
The man in the coonskin cap by the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills: you only got ten

[Chorus 1]
Look out, kid
Look out, kid, because it's something' that you did, kid
Look out, kid, because they keep it all hid

[Verse 3]
Maggie comes fleet foot, face full of black soot
Talking at the heat put plants in the bed but
The phone's tapped anyway, Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early may
Orders from the D.A., the double D.A

[Verse 4]
Walk on your tip toes, don't try "no doz"
Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose, watch the plain clothes
You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows

[Chorus 1]
Look out, kid
Look out, kid, it's something' that you did
Look out, kid, cause they keep all hid, look out

[Verse 5]
Looks to me like you did
A little to much hitting' kid
You should've took it to the bridge
Before you started to skid

[Chorus 2]
Look out, kid
The good god willing, we'll bebop to Bob Dylan
Chilling em, thrilling em, and red hot killing em

Killing em
Said killing em
Kill em

[Verse 6]
Get sick, get well, hand around a ink well
Ring a bell, hard to tell if anything is going to sell
Try hard, get barred, get back, write braille
Get jailed, jump bail, join the army if you fail

[Bridge]
But users, cheaters, six time losers
Hand around the theaters
Girl by the whirlpool looking for a new fool
Don't follow leaders, watch the parking meters

[Chorus 1]
Look out, kid
Look out, kid, because it's something' that you did, kid
Look out, kid, because they keep all hid
Look out, kid, because it's something' that you did, kid
Look out, kid, because they keep all hid

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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