Released: June 8, 1999

Songwriter: Flea Chad Smith John Frusciante Anthony Kiedis

Producer: Rick Rubin

[Verse 1]
To finger paint is not a sin
I put my middle finger in
Your monthly blood is what I win
I'm in your house now let me spin
Python power straight from Monty
Celluloid loves got a John Frusciante
Spread your head and spread the blanket
She's too free and I'm the patient

[Pre-Chorus]
A black and white a red and blue
Ah, things that look good on you
And if I scream don't let me go
A purple stain I know

[Verse 2]
Knock on wood we all stay good
'Cause we all live in Hollywood
With Dracula and Darla Hood
Unspoken words were understood
Up to my ass in alligators
Let's get it on with the alligator haters
Did what you did, did what you said
What's the point yo what's the spread

[Pre-Chorus]
A black and white a red and blue
Ah, things that look good on you
And if I scream don't let me go
A purple stain I know
And if I call for you to stay
Come hit the funk on your way
It's way out there but I don't care
'Cause this is where I go

[Chorus]
Knock on wood we all stay good
'Cause we all live in Hollywood
With Dracula and Darla Hood
Unspoken words were understood
It's way out there but I don't care
'Cause this is what I want to wear
Knock on wood we all stay good
'Cause we all live in Hollywood

[Verse 3]
To finger paint is not a sin
I put my middle finger in
Your monthly blood is what I win
I'm in your house now let me spin
Feather-light but you can't move this
Farley is an angel and I can prove this
Purple is a stain upon my pillow
Let's sleep weeping willow

[Pre-Chorus]
A black and white a red and blue
Ah, things that look good on you
And if I scream don't let me go
A purple stain I know
And if I call for you to stay
Come hit the funk on your way
It's way out there but I don't care
'Cause this is where I go

[Chorus]
Knock on wood we all stay good
'Cause we all live in Hollywood
With Dracula and Darla Hood
Unspoken words were understood
It's way out there but I don't care
'Cause this is what I want to wear
Knock on wood we all stay good
'Cause we all live in Hollywood

[Guitar Solo]

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.