fact about this song is anthony wrote it after he kicked his drug habit and this song is basically everything he went thru with addiction including living under a bridge it is such a great song i was 18 when the blood sugar sex magik cd came out and i am 50 now i miss the 80's and 90's
True, weirdly though when I was a heroin addict this was a favourite to listen to, but only after taking it, never ever when you're needing some. I couldn't listen to RHCP for years after I left that life
@tylerhackner9731 yeah you can always tell with records/books etc whether it's coming from truth , similarly Trainspotting, especially the book, by Irvine Welsh, was always a favourite as you just know that he too had lived that experience, Golden Brown by The Stranglers or There She Goes by The LA'S as well
This song is about the loneliness of addiction. Lead singer Anthony Kiedis had overcome a very bad heroin and cocaine addiction when he wrote this song.
Under The Bridge is about Anthony Kiedis' (lead singer's) battle with heroin addiction. The line "Under the bridge, is where I drew some blood" refers to 'booting' or 'flushing' where the IV drug user will inject and pull back or draw a small amount of blood into the syringe before hitting the plunger to shoot up. Kiedis used to score and shoot up under a specific bridge in downtown LA - which he's never revealed - hence the chorus and song title. His battle with addiction caused him to feel distanced from friends and family, and he felt that his only companion was the city, so the song can be interpreted as a love letter to LA too - but from a place of deep addiction.
@@barb0526I think that's more a reference to him getting deeper into his heroin/cocaine addiction and getting more distanced from his 'normal' life. He's given his life over to drugs at that point. It's an autobiographical song about Kedis himself, so it's definitely not a suicide reference - unless he's taking some creative license
In the nursing world we call that a flash. It’s just checking to see that you are in a vein. If you pull back and get a “flash” of blood it means you are in the vein
This is how i understand the song, but I think John Frusciante also has to be included. He was always in and out of the band, and for me when he was there, they wrote their best material. I'm not sure if he conquered his addiction like the others seem to have, he seems not be be in the band for some time, but the music for this song has his trademarks, and perhaps the song even references him a little, while staying ambiguous.
I truly enjoy the way Amber is able to listen to and break down songs. The fact that she was able to pick up on the melancholy, and how it could relate to drugs without knowing anything about the story is pretty cool
Such a good song and sad song at the same time. It’s about the lead singers struggle and addiction to drugs, going under a bridge and shooting up. Eventually the band and music became the place he loved, not the drugs. “I don’t ever wanna feel like I did that day”. It’s his realization, his moment of clarity.
I'm detoxing right now you guys. When I hear that second part of the song, I cry so much because it's like the most accurate description of how it feels. Youre throwing your life away woth drugs. I really aooerciate you guys because yall are my comfort channel. Times are hard right now
Hang in there. With each long, difficult day that passes, always remember the next day will be easier to tolerate and you will feel better and better. Stay strong; focused on recovery and think of the day when you're free again, yes? Sending best wishes to you and know you are not alone... To echo rhonda, you can do this! ❤
Some backstory on this song. Hillel Slovak was the RHCP's original guitarist and founder of the band. He brought everything else together in high school to be a band. They started in the early 80s, maybe even late 70s. This song came out 1991, so they were with him in the band a little less then a decade as they were coming up. He died from a heroin overdose. Anthony Kiedis, the singer, wrote in his journal a poem about missing his friend, and feeling lonely. He was going through heroin and cocaine addiction himself. Instead of wanting to stop, it made him want to do it more. After almost overdosing himself, he decided to get clean and has been clean ever since. The guitarist is John Fusciante. One of the best of his generation. His style is very unique, introspective is a good word. He got caught up in heroin himself and it got so bad that he left the band for a few years. Anthony helped him get clean and he returned to the band when they did "Californication." Rick Rubin is the producer for the album that this is one, a great album called Blood Sugar Sex Magik. He saw the poem in Anthony's journal and encouraged him to make it a song. At the end they felt they needed something so the choir is the mothers of all the members of the band. At the end the video shows him running away from his drug addiction.
Same here, its one of the most iconic songs of the 90's and my favorite song of my youth. I was 16 when I first heard it. Soul to Squeeze is their most similar sounding song to this, it was recorded at the same sessions but not released until the coneheads soundtrack.
"Give It Away" is a big one! I mean it's such an amazing song! It's totally up your alley. There should be a lot of views when that song is done. It's so awesome!
I was thinking the same thing the other day after J mentioned them while talking about the 90's sound. I had to do a search to be sure! @@jeromesimon4926
My introduction to the RHCP was their video to "Give It Away". This song had me caught & I needed to find out more about the group & it's music. Like many others, I am suggesting "Give It Away" as your next reaction choice & I am suggesting that you watch the official video to gain a complete RHCP experience. Thanks for today's reaction to a beautiful song.
It's wild that at 47 years of age I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago at times but yet I remembered probably at least 95% of the lyrics to the song despite not hearing it for I don't know how many years, if not decades.
Your the same age as me, the song had a major impact on the youth back them. I moved to a small private school as I entered HS where everyone dressed like garth brrooks and were so countrified. Yet many of those country music nuts knew the lyrics to this song. We used to sing it on break and at lunch.
@ngelove3891 It was the last truly great revolution in rock music, and may have been the most needed in the history of the genre.. There hasn't been one at all since, which no one would have believed back then. I always thought another would come, but it never did.
Definitely the most melodic of their songs. Some have commented about the lyrics relating to addiction, and that's true. More specifically though, it's also about being clean and sober, and dealing with distancing oneself from people, places, things and situations tied to the life of addiction.
This was one of the big four albums that were released within 3 months of each other. Nirvana, Nevermind. Pearl Jam Ten. Metallica, Metallica (sometimes called Black). Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blood Sugar Sex Magic
U2 had a great song called Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me. It's not grunge, but the mood strikes me as similar. This song, Under the Bridge, may be one of the 90's greatest songs.
You know, even if they didn't reference California in literally every song, you would still know where they're from just by the sound, lol. Their frontman also had a brief cameo in the movie "Point Break" and was in a few other movies as well under various pseudonyms. He just shows up where you least expect him. You're just watching some shit on TV and... There's the dude from the Chili Peppers again, lol.
At some point they’ll have to watch Point Break! Even though it’s definitely made fun of and I was made fun of for liking it, I was obsessed with that movie as a teenager (because of Keanu and Patrick). I think they would like it though.
I love how both Jim Morrison (LA woman) and Red Hot Chili Peppers sang about Lost Angeles and how much they describe how much they love "her"...all of their descriptions in their lyrics are so poetic and beautiful, coming from Los Angeles myself I totally get both of their "interpretations"..
YAS!!!! Jay Amber you’ll both love “Breaking the Girl” by RHCP its gotta be next plzzz…. They use metal in a scrap yard for percussion. Unbelievable song…in my top 5 easily.
You need to react to the Red Hot Chili Peppers Aeroplane. It's a groovy track and a lot of aesthetics going on in the music video also. Flea slaps the bass on Aeroplane so wickedly
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is when Chili Peppers really became mainstream. I remember listening to their first 4 albums in middle school with my best friend and we were both huge Chili Pepper fans and would learn their songs on Bass & Guitar. However, when Blood Sugar Sex Magik came out the songs, "Give It Away" & "Under The Bridge" really took off and it was great to have more friends who loved them and to show them their older catalog. You guys need to listen to "Funky Monks"... Jay will love the outro Bass line. I think you will also love their version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground".
I agree, Amber. The high pitch background singers really set this song on fire. My favorite of theirs is Give it Away, from their 1st album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). Having said that, it's tough for me to listen to 90s music as my 2 boys were teens during that decade and we lost one of them & their 2 best friends in a wreck. I don’t mention this for sympathy as it's been nearly 25 yrs but music can have a memory-inducing quality like little else and it hurts my heart to hear 🎶 from this era. This and many other grunge or hip hop sounds poured from their bedrooms thru our house. Love, time and God heal all, but music is such a wound opener...or healer. Good choice and obviously I listened regardless 😊 May you both be blessed ❤
When you’re in the deepest darkest place in your life you can feel the pain and the light ahead of you that will keep you going in life . Don’t give up
You still have lots of RHCP classics to hit: Knock Me Down, Give It Away, Breaking The Girl, Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky, Power Of Equality, too many to name.
Red Hot Chili Peppers started in the 80s, but they’re a defining group of the 90s. RHCP are UNIQUE, original and creative. They are awesome! There’s no other major band like them. I absolutely ❤️ them!
This is THE song that made them overnight megastars. Its also THE song that drove John Frusciante to quit the band and get lost in a 7 year drug addiction. He never wanted them to be a world famous band and this song changed their lives forever. There is a famous SNL clip where he is tanking the song big time right before he quit. I think he initially loved the song and then hated how big it became.
We holidayed in LA for around 20 years from the late '80s,at times applause would ring around the bar when I put this on the juke box,great days,great memories😎
I saw the band in “1980 something” in a small 200 people venue. They were promoting their new album: Freaky Styley and relatively new. They were known for doing their encore basically naked with only a tube sock appropriately placed to avoid arrest! Of course they’re an amazing show band: no standing around while playing. The socks were flying!
We attended a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert here in Antwerp, Belgium when my wife was 8,5 months pregnant 🙂 It all went very well and the music was GREAT!
I absolutely love this song. It is so powerful. Everyone has the right to their own interpretation. Mine is it is about depression and losing yourself and how depression can lead to drugs and over-dosing. How we need to reach out and help people survive depression and addiction. Such a powerful song!
An earlier and personal fave on the subject by these guys is 'Knock Me Down'. First thought it was still Hillel, but it was John, early days. Killer tune. ❤😊
I really enjoy listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but "Under the Bridge" is by far my favorite song. Thank you for reactig it, it's always amazing.
Apologies if someone already mentioned this...the backup vocals singing 'under the bridge downtown...' that is Anthony Kiedis's (lead singer) mother's choir group. I can't imagine the feeling of a parent being a part something so cathartic and painful for their child.
Amber, you are one of the best thinkers I've ever heard in this space. Ive heard these songs for decades, and you bring a new perspective many, many times. You are incredibly intelligent. thanks for making me think
I'll never forget the first time I heard this song. I was watching a documentary about RHCPs. Anthony Kiedis was very reluctant to share this song with the band thinking it was too tame, but they all were moved. I teach ELA and there have been I have played this song for my students to analyze. You don't have to have a drug addiction to relate to a moment in time where you draw the line in the sand and say, "I don't ever want to feel like I did that day." Thanks so much for reacting to this one. Oh I wanted to add one more thing. The choir was their guitarist's, John Frusciante, mom's choir!
Years ago I worked for a company, that rented those festival toilets. I cleaned those, for a year. One time we had to work at Pink Pop, Netherlands. Almost 3 days and nights we worked, showered, ate, slept, worked, showered... I was done with that crappy job. The last act were The Peppers. We took our break, sat on the roofs of our trucks all the way behind the field, and watched the whole thing. I remember I smoked a Fire Me joint, but they didn't fire me. Had to quit myself. Hell of a ending, anyway.
I still think this is my favourite Red Hot Chilli's song. It just has something else about it that just speaks to me, can't quite put my finger on it, maybe it's the whole vibe, the sincerity in the lyrics, the beat, the way the vocals are delivered. Definitely a unique and near perfect song.
RHCP is such a great band to dive into the first time, they were sure a ride to experience in real-time... jealous for you getting to experience these guys but knew you'd love all the layers and variation in sound over the years! the new stuff is also really good!
Those amazing backup vocals towards the end, are from John Frusciante. Not only is he an amazing singer but he’s one of the best guitarist 🫶🏻. They have so many amazing songs, can’t wait for you guys to get on them ✨
Flea is also a very accomplished film and television actor. His many acting credits include films you two have reacted to, beginning with 1983's The Outsiders. He is also in The Big Lebowski!
Hi, you two! It's Andrew Erroch fae Paisley in Scotland here. Under The Bridge is a great track and RHCP have others that are even better. I know you guys like to hear cover versions to and discover other bands' interpretations. Surprisingly, RHCP allowed All Saints to cover this and they produced a very different version and even changed the lyrics and the whole feel of the song. Check it out, if you haven't already. Æx 🙏
"I don't ever wanna feel Like I did that day Take me to the place I love Take me all the way Love me, I say, yeah yeah One time (Under the bridge downtown) Is where I drew some blood (Under the bridge downtown) I could not get enough (Under the bridge downtown) Forgot about my love (Under the bridge downtown) I gave my life away Yeah, yeah, where I stay."
This song is about his best friend Hillel Slovak who was the original guitarist for the RHCP… he died of a heroin overdose in 1988 at 26… he scored his drugs under the bridge in LA
As far as 90s bands go, I would love to see y’all react to more Dave Matthews Band. They have so many incredible songs. I am certain they’ll become your favorite 90s band!
I grew up in RHCP music in the 90’s. Blood Sugar Sex Magic is my favorite album. Flea plays Needles in Back to The Future and in a Star Wars couple episodes of Obi-Wan show. Amazing actor too. Anthony Keidis who is also an actor but small roles. Anthony has a surfer role in Point Break with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. Anthony and Flea had a small role in the movie The Chase
Reminds me of my children when they were teenagers. Miss those times even though they were difficult. My daughter is deceased now and my son is grown. My grandbabies are teenagers now. My daughter would be so proud of them.
Real talk! This song also Linkin Park “In The End” and T.I. “Ready For Whatever” Plus the one and only Prince with “The Cross” got me thru my addiction, when I was going thru full blown withdrawals and mentally knowing all I had to do was use to physically take the pain away! These songs I had on repeat for not days but weeks, truth be told months… because after the 3-7 days of physical withdrawal, you have the mental withdrawal that people don’t talk about! From the physical to the mental withdrawal….. these songs got me thru! There are more yes, but these were the most memorable and important that helped me! 8 years clean! Music has ALWAYS been a BIG impact for me in life from a young child! When I was going thru the withdrawals at home by myself Because I knew I was done and wanted better for my life…. Music came thru again! I can’t really articulate or have the words to say HOW MUCH MUSIC HAS BEEN A SUPPORT AND SAVED ME THRU GOD! They say GOD works in mysterious ways! I’m here to confirm it! If you believe and want to change GOD will help as long as you put in the work! Also it will come in the most unexpected ways but so beautifully executed!
Interesting tidbit: the hauntingly beautiful background voices in "Under the Bridge" were performed by guitarist John Frusciante's mother, Gail and some members of her church choir 🥰
How have you not done their song Give It Away???? That’s their most legendary song by far! And it’s more of a up tempo rocker in contrast to these slow ones. It’s a headbanger that they rocked at the Super Bowl halftime show. Let’s goooo
I'm 80s born and 90s raised the Chili Peppers were The Beach Boys of my Era. They were the quintessential California rock band. Keep enjoying the ride!
RHCP has so many songs you guys would like - Give It Away, Soul to Squeeze (my personal favorite), Aeroplane, Around the World, Higher Ground, Love Rollercoaster (a cover and a freakin’ bop), just so many…
I can remember exactly where I was when I first heard this song back in the day.. Freshman year of high school, Earth Science class. Teach always had the radio on. ❤
I think "Raindance Maggie" and "Dani California" come in right behind this one on my faves list. And we can't forget "Californication" and what started it all for me "Give it Away"... He speaks true.
This song is about heroin addiction and the original RHCP guitarist, Hillel Slovak, died of a heroin overdose. He and Anthony Kiedis were close friends and the song My Lovely Man is a tribute to Hillel.
First song i learn to play and later perform in the Bay Area... The song hit home, as strangers wanting to hang with you...people think you're in a great situation with friends but they don't realize how a lone you feel. God that was a life time ago. .
Others have mentioned "I Could Have Lied." They also have a couple that you might like on the _Californication_ record: "This Velvet Glove," which has a really tight guitar sound as John Frusciante really lays on the harmonics, and "Road Trippin," which almost has a little Elliott Smith feel to it with the backing vocals.
fact about this song is anthony wrote it after he kicked his drug habit and this song is basically everything he went thru with addiction including living under a bridge it is such a great song i was 18 when the blood sugar sex magik cd came out and i am 50 now i miss the 80's and 90's
True, weirdly though when I was a heroin addict this was a favourite to listen to, but only after taking it, never ever when you're needing some. I couldn't listen to RHCP for years after I left that life
That’s why it’s so powerful imo
@tylerhackner9731 yeah you can always tell with records/books etc whether it's coming from truth , similarly Trainspotting, especially the book, by Irvine Welsh, was always a favourite as you just know that he too had lived that experience, Golden Brown by The Stranglers or There She Goes by The LA'S as well
That was one of the albums I got with my Columbia Records subscription. That was such a weird business!
So spot on I went through addiction myself and came through the other side turning 50 this year. Congratulations for beating the odds mate.
This song is about the loneliness of addiction. Lead singer Anthony Kiedis had overcome a very bad heroin and cocaine addiction when he wrote this song.
You guys will also love Give It Away. It's a banger for sure.
RHCP have a very diverse sound.
This... and my favorite song by them which is "I could have lied"... followed by "Soul th Squeeze"
Yes! Can we do Give It Away next, followed by Soul to Squeeze? That would be awesome!
Sir Psycho Sexy....
Wholeheartedly agree with the consensus here! "Give It Away" and "Soul to Squeeze" would be awesome!
Give It Away Give It Away give it away now
Under The Bridge is about Anthony Kiedis' (lead singer's) battle with heroin addiction. The line "Under the bridge, is where I drew some blood" refers to 'booting' or 'flushing' where the IV drug user will inject and pull back or draw a small amount of blood into the syringe before hitting the plunger to shoot up. Kiedis used to score and shoot up under a specific bridge in downtown LA - which he's never revealed - hence the chorus and song title. His battle with addiction caused him to feel distanced from friends and family, and he felt that his only companion was the city, so the song can be interpreted as a love letter to LA too - but from a place of deep addiction.
He says in the last line "Under the bridge jump down, I give my life away.". I always thought that line was about suicide...
@@barb0526I think that's more a reference to him getting deeper into his heroin/cocaine addiction and getting more distanced from his 'normal' life. He's given his life over to drugs at that point. It's an autobiographical song about Kedis himself, so it's definitely not a suicide reference - unless he's taking some creative license
In the nursing world we call that a flash. It’s just checking to see that you are in a vein. If you pull back and get a “flash” of blood it means you are in the vein
Actually it's about a blood bank in LA that is on top of an overpass. After to sell your blood and go buy your dope you fix under the bridge.
This is how i understand the song, but I think John Frusciante also has to be included. He was always in and out of the band, and for me when he was there, they wrote their best material. I'm not sure if he conquered his addiction like the others seem to have, he seems not be be in the band for some time, but the music for this song has his trademarks, and perhaps the song even references him a little, while staying ambiguous.
"I Could Have Lied" "Soul To Squeeze" "Breaking The Girl" "Dark Necessities" Too many to list...
Oh yeah, forgot about "Breaking The Girl"! Another one of their greats!
I would say "Aeroplane" but.... lol lots of swearing
Otherside
They've done Other Side. Great reaction.@@BillGraper
Love roller coaster!
I truly enjoy the way Amber is able to listen to and break down songs. The fact that she was able to pick up on the melancholy, and how it could relate to drugs without knowing anything about the story is pretty cool
Amber is such a gifted intuitive. I'm sure we only get to see a fraction of her gifts.
She is the one who listens and lets the song tell her what it means instead of not really getting it and assuming what you don’t know. Like J.
@@mirandak3273J is just more about the music; they’re a great team.
Such a good song and sad song at the same time. It’s about the lead singers struggle and addiction to drugs, going under a bridge and shooting up. Eventually the band and music became the place he loved, not the drugs. “I don’t ever wanna feel like I did that day”. It’s his realization, his moment of clarity.
I'm detoxing right now you guys. When I hear that second part of the song, I cry so much because it's like the most accurate description of how it feels. Youre throwing your life away woth drugs. I really aooerciate you guys because yall are my comfort channel. Times are hard right now
Keep going, day by day, you can do this🥺
@@rhondacady7120 thank you so much its bad ride but I want to live
Hang in there. With each long, difficult day that passes, always remember the next day will be easier to tolerate and you will feel better and better. Stay strong; focused on recovery and think of the day when you're free again, yes? Sending best wishes to you and know you are not alone... To echo rhonda, you can do this! ❤
❤❤❤
Do not give up, your life has value. You’re going to get through this, we believe in you
Some backstory on this song. Hillel Slovak was the RHCP's original guitarist and founder of the band. He brought everything else together in high school to be a band. They started in the early 80s, maybe even late 70s. This song came out 1991, so they were with him in the band a little less then a decade as they were coming up. He died from a heroin overdose. Anthony Kiedis, the singer, wrote in his journal a poem about missing his friend, and feeling lonely. He was going through heroin and cocaine addiction himself. Instead of wanting to stop, it made him want to do it more. After almost overdosing himself, he decided to get clean and has been clean ever since.
The guitarist is John Fusciante. One of the best of his generation. His style is very unique, introspective is a good word. He got caught up in heroin himself and it got so bad that he left the band for a few years. Anthony helped him get clean and he returned to the band when they did "Californication."
Rick Rubin is the producer for the album that this is one, a great album called Blood Sugar Sex Magik. He saw the poem in Anthony's journal and encouraged him to make it a song. At the end they felt they needed something so the choir is the mothers of all the members of the band. At the end the video shows him running away from his drug addiction.
All correct except Anthony has not been clean ever since. Instead like many he has struggled with the ups and downs of addiction.
Amber never ceases to amaze with being on the money about the meaning of the lyrics.
I think I finally realize why I like these reactions so much. It's the closest we get as fans to getting to hear these songs again for the first time.
good one!
Red Hot Chili Peppers are Los Angeles , on a level like Disneyland or the Lakers... . and this is a Los Angeles Anthem .
GIVE IT AWAY is WAY more your style, guys!!!
Yes! Give It Away next please! And make sure you do the video version
Nah I think it's gotta be scar tissue! 😊
@@nouelafendi7997 They already reacted to Scar Tissue so go check it out. It's definitely fun one!
Yay! One of their best songs! You'll also love "Breaking the Girl".
*edit* wow Amber just nailing the analysis again!
This was the first song I heard from them back in the 90's. This song would always be the soundtrack of my 20's.
Same here, its one of the most iconic songs of the 90's and my favorite song of my youth. I was 16 when I first heard it.
Soul to Squeeze is their most similar sounding song to this, it was recorded at the same sessions but not released until the coneheads soundtrack.
"Give It Away" is a big one! I mean it's such an amazing song! It's totally up your alley. There should be a lot of views when that song is done. It's so awesome!
@skerr808
I can't tell if I'm a kingpin or a pauper, but I do know that, Bob Marley taught me how to off it
Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk rock, hard rock, hip hop, and psychedelic rock.
Love the punk funk.
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "Give It Away"!!!
Jay, especially because he is a bass guitar fan. 🎸
I can’t believe y’all haven’t done Give it away!!!!
I was thinking the same thing the other day after J mentioned them while talking about the 90's sound. I had to do a search to be sure! @@jeromesimon4926
Let's go!
My introduction to the RHCP was their video to "Give It Away". This song had me caught & I needed to find out more about the group & it's music. Like many others, I am suggesting "Give It Away" as your next reaction choice & I am suggesting that you watch the official video to gain a complete RHCP experience. Thanks for today's reaction to a beautiful song.
"Can't stop" is another amazing song by RHCP
It's wild that at 47 years of age I can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago at times but yet I remembered probably at least 95% of the lyrics to the song despite not hearing it for I don't know how many years, if not decades.
Your the same age as me, the song had a major impact on the youth back them. I moved to a small private school as I entered HS where everyone dressed like garth brrooks and were so countrified. Yet many of those country music nuts knew the lyrics to this song. We used to sing it on break and at lunch.
Just wait until you reach 57. Add in chemo brain and my dogs think I’m too easily distracted.
Yup. Back when this song came out you couldn't go 15 minutes without seeing it on MTV.
Sometimes I wonder, is it because I was 16, or were the early 90s one of the best periods for rock mysic ever?
@ngelove3891 It was the last truly great revolution in rock music, and may have been the most needed in the history of the genre.. There hasn't been one at all since, which no one would have believed back then. I always thought another would come, but it never did.
I've heard this song 1,000 times and never get tired of it.
Definitely the most melodic of their songs.
Some have commented about the lyrics relating to addiction, and that's true. More specifically though, it's also about being clean and sober, and dealing with distancing oneself from people, places, things and situations tied to the life of addiction.
This was one of the big four albums that were released within 3 months of each other. Nirvana, Nevermind. Pearl Jam Ten. Metallica, Metallica (sometimes called Black). Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blood Sugar Sex Magic
My favourite Chilli Pepper's song.
U2 had a great song called Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me. It's not grunge, but the mood strikes me as similar. This song, Under the Bridge, may be one of the 90's greatest songs.
You know, even if they didn't reference California in literally every song, you would still know where they're from just by the sound, lol. Their frontman also had a brief cameo in the movie "Point Break" and was in a few other movies as well under various pseudonyms. He just shows up where you least expect him. You're just watching some shit on TV and... There's the dude from the Chili Peppers again, lol.
At some point they’ll have to watch Point Break! Even though it’s definitely made fun of and I was made fun of for liking it, I was obsessed with that movie as a teenager (because of Keanu and Patrick). I think they would like it though.
LOL and Flea!
I love how both Jim Morrison (LA woman) and Red Hot Chili Peppers sang about Lost Angeles and how much they describe how much they love "her"...all of their descriptions in their lyrics are so poetic and beautiful, coming from Los Angeles myself I totally get both of their "interpretations"..
You can’t understand how big this song was when it came out. It was on MTV every 30 minutes.
One of the best recorded bands. Their sound is always so clean. Always been one of my favorite bands. "Give it Away".
YAS!!!! Jay Amber you’ll both love “Breaking the Girl” by RHCP its gotta be next plzzz…. They use metal in a scrap yard for percussion. Unbelievable song…in my top 5 easily.
Breaking the Girl is a personal fav of mine too..🥰
this, Scar Tissue, Californication ,Soul To Squeeze, Dani California are always on any play list crusing , travel , gym whatever
You need to react to the Red Hot Chili Peppers Aeroplane. It's a groovy track and a lot of aesthetics going on in the music video also. Flea slaps the bass on Aeroplane so wickedly
wow, forgot about Aeroplane, great tune!!!
That’s a great song. That was the album Dave Navarro played on. That was a weird situation that ended with Navarro getting fired from the band
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is when Chili Peppers really became mainstream. I remember listening to their first 4 albums in middle school with my best friend and we were both huge Chili Pepper fans and would learn their songs on Bass & Guitar. However, when Blood Sugar Sex Magik came out the songs, "Give It Away" & "Under The Bridge" really took off and it was great to have more friends who loved them and to show them their older catalog.
You guys need to listen to "Funky Monks"... Jay will love the outro Bass line. I think you will also love their version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground".
I agree, Amber. The high pitch background singers really set this song on fire.
My favorite of theirs is Give it Away, from their 1st album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991).
Having said that, it's tough for me to listen to 90s music as my 2 boys were teens during that decade and we lost one of them & their 2 best friends in a wreck. I don’t mention this for sympathy as it's been nearly 25 yrs but music can have a memory-inducing quality like little else and it hurts my heart to hear 🎶 from this era. This and many other grunge or hip hop sounds poured from their bedrooms thru our house.
Love, time and God heal all, but music is such a wound opener...or healer. Good choice and obviously I listened regardless 😊
May you both be blessed ❤
When you’re in the deepest darkest place in your life you can feel the pain and the light ahead of you that will keep you going in life . Don’t give up
Sublime "Bad Fish"
You still have lots of RHCP classics to hit: Knock Me Down, Give It Away, Breaking The Girl, Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky, Power Of Equality, too many to name.
You'll love "Give it Away"!!
That is really one of their first big hit ... this one and 'Give It Away' !
Red Hot Chili Peppers started in the 80s, but they’re a defining group of the 90s. RHCP are UNIQUE, original and creative. They are awesome! There’s no other major band like them. I absolutely ❤️ them!
Red Hot Chili Peppers "Soul to Squeeze" is must listen. Another one of the best songs of the 90's.
This song is a banger for sure
After so many years still having goosebumps listening this song 😊
Best peppers song ever
This is THE song that made them overnight megastars. Its also THE song that drove John Frusciante to quit the band and get lost in a 7 year drug addiction. He never wanted them to be a world famous band and this song changed their lives forever. There is a famous SNL clip where he is tanking the song big time right before he quit. I think he initially loved the song and then hated how big it became.
Soul to Squeeze is their most similar sounding song to this, it was recorded at the same sessions but not released until the coneheads soundtrack.
Outstanding song, great band. Rock on Rob Squad
Check out their cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" from their earlier days.
They also do a mean cover of the Ohio Players' "Love Roller Coaster"!
We holidayed in LA for around 20 years from the late '80s,at times applause would ring around the bar when I put this on the juke box,great days,great memories😎
My L.A boys ❤️! Check out “Soul To Squeeze” and “Cant Stop”
Soul to Squeeze is my favorite. 😊
"Knock me Down" is a classic. One of there best from the early days, that is one that hits hard, Anthony's tribute to Hailel ! 😢
More RHCP songs to react to would be Dani California, Give It Away, Breaking the Girl, their cover of Stevie Wonder's song, Higher Ground.
I saw the band in “1980 something” in a small 200 people venue. They were promoting their new album: Freaky Styley and relatively new. They were known for doing their encore basically naked with only a tube sock appropriately placed to avoid arrest! Of course they’re an amazing show band: no standing around while playing. The socks were flying!
A rock classic! i also really like their funk era
We attended a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert here in Antwerp, Belgium when my wife was 8,5 months pregnant 🙂 It all went very well and the music was GREAT!
Did the baby come out wearing a sock?
My favorite song by them.❤❤❤❤
I absolutely love this song. It is so powerful. Everyone has the right to their own interpretation. Mine is it is about depression and losing yourself and how depression can lead to drugs and over-dosing. How we need to reach out and help people survive depression and addiction. Such a powerful song!
My Favorite Song By Them❤❤
An earlier and personal fave on the subject by these guys is 'Knock Me Down'. First thought it was still Hillel, but it was John, early days.
Killer tune. ❤😊
I really enjoy listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but "Under the Bridge" is by far my favorite song. Thank you for reactig it, it's always amazing.
OK, you gotta do "Give It Away". That was probably the hit that introduced everyone to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
What an awesome song. Obviously left Rob Squad speechless the song is that goood.
One of the dopest songs of the 90s
Apologies if someone already mentioned this...the backup vocals singing 'under the bridge downtown...' that is Anthony Kiedis's (lead singer) mother's choir group. I can't imagine the feeling of a parent being a part something so cathartic and painful for their child.
???..I thought it was John’s mother.
@kalamazoocarol You might be right. I thought it was Anthony's, but it's been awhile since I heard the story.
Without checking what you already did: Give It Away, Soul to Squeeze, Universally Speaking, Around the World
Their cover of Stevie wonders classic higher ground is one of their best. The baseline in that song is second to none
For those of us growing up in socal this is an anthem forever remembered
Amber, you are one of the best thinkers I've ever heard in this space. Ive heard these songs for decades, and you bring a new perspective many, many times. You are incredibly intelligent. thanks for making me think
I'll never forget the first time I heard this song. I was watching a documentary about RHCPs. Anthony Kiedis was very reluctant to share this song with the band thinking it was too tame, but they all were moved. I teach ELA and there have been I have played this song for my students to analyze. You don't have to have a drug addiction to relate to a moment in time where you draw the line in the sand and say, "I don't ever want to feel like I did that day." Thanks so much for reacting to this one. Oh I wanted to add one more thing. The choir was their guitarist's, John Frusciante, mom's choir!
Years ago I worked for a company, that rented those festival toilets. I cleaned those, for a year.
One time we had to work at Pink Pop, Netherlands. Almost 3 days and nights we worked, showered, ate, slept, worked, showered...
I was done with that crappy job. The last act were The Peppers. We took our break, sat on the roofs of our trucks all the way behind the field, and watched the whole thing. I remember I smoked a Fire Me joint, but they didn't fire me. Had to quit myself.
Hell of a ending, anyway.
I still think this is my favourite Red Hot Chilli's song. It just has something else about it that just speaks to me, can't quite put my finger on it, maybe it's the whole vibe, the sincerity in the lyrics, the beat, the way the vocals are delivered. Definitely a unique and near perfect song.
RHCP is such a great band to dive into the first time, they were sure a ride to experience in real-time... jealous for you getting to experience these guys but knew you'd love all the layers and variation in sound over the years! the new stuff is also really good!
I love near Anthony's relatives, Anthony (. Singer ) comes to visit every summer GRAND RAPIDS Michigan. Go D 🦁🏈 Go Blue 💙🏆💯
Those amazing backup vocals towards the end, are from John Frusciante. Not only is he an amazing singer but he’s one of the best guitarist 🫶🏻. They have so many amazing songs, can’t wait for you guys to get on them ✨
Flea is also a very accomplished film and television actor. His many acting credits include films you two have reacted to, beginning with 1983's The Outsiders. He is also in The Big Lebowski!
Hi, you two! It's Andrew Erroch fae Paisley in Scotland here. Under The Bridge is a great track and RHCP have others that are even better. I know you guys like to hear cover versions to and discover other bands' interpretations. Surprisingly, RHCP allowed All Saints to cover this and they produced a very different version and even changed the lyrics and the whole feel of the song. Check it out, if you haven't already. Æx 🙏
Poem in Kedis' own journal - never supposed to be a song. Luckily, Rubin found it and RHCP's lineup are all masters of their craft. Amazing.
"I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
Love me, I say, yeah yeah
One time
(Under the bridge downtown)
Is where I drew some blood
(Under the bridge downtown)
I could not get enough
(Under the bridge downtown)
Forgot about my love
(Under the bridge downtown)
I gave my life away
Yeah, yeah, where I stay."
I love how you guys react to my favorite 90's rock songs. Nobody else does that!
Here's a good one, The Vogues- Five O'clock World, from 1966
This song was huge when it came out. I’ve never been a big Chili Peppers fan, but I love(d) this song.
This song is about his best friend Hillel Slovak who was the original guitarist for the RHCP… he died of a heroin overdose in 1988 at 26… he scored his drugs under the bridge in LA
this makes sense, didn't know this
As far as 90s bands go, I would love to see y’all react to more Dave Matthews Band. They have so many incredible songs. I am certain they’ll become your favorite 90s band!
I grew up in RHCP music in the 90’s. Blood Sugar Sex Magic is my favorite album. Flea plays Needles in Back to The Future and in a Star Wars couple episodes of Obi-Wan show. Amazing actor too. Anthony Keidis who is also an actor but small roles. Anthony has a surfer role in Point Break with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. Anthony and Flea had a small role in the movie The Chase
Reminds me of my children when they were teenagers. Miss those times even though they were difficult. My daughter is deceased now and my son is grown. My grandbabies are teenagers now. My daughter would be so proud of them.
"Give It Away" is my favorite RHCP song -
Do The Foo Fighters next: "Everlong" - "The Pretender" - "Times Like These" - or "My Hero"
Real talk! This song also Linkin Park “In The End” and T.I. “Ready For Whatever” Plus the one and only Prince with “The Cross” got me thru my addiction, when I was going thru full blown withdrawals and mentally knowing all I had to do was use to physically take the pain away! These songs I had on repeat for not days but weeks, truth be told months… because after the 3-7 days of physical withdrawal, you have the mental withdrawal that people don’t talk about! From the physical to the mental withdrawal….. these songs got me thru! There are more yes, but these were the most memorable and important that helped me! 8 years clean! Music has ALWAYS been a BIG impact for me in life from a young child! When I was going thru the withdrawals at home by myself Because I knew I was done and wanted better for my life…. Music came thru again! I can’t really articulate or have the words to say HOW MUCH MUSIC HAS BEEN A SUPPORT AND SAVED ME THRU GOD! They say GOD works in mysterious ways! I’m here to confirm it! If you believe and want to change GOD will help as long as you put in the work! Also it will come in the most unexpected ways but so beautifully executed!
Interesting tidbit: the hauntingly beautiful background voices in "Under the Bridge" were performed by guitarist John Frusciante's mother, Gail and some members of her church choir 🥰
How have you not done their song Give It Away???? That’s their most legendary song by far! And it’s more of a up tempo rocker in contrast to these slow ones. It’s a headbanger that they rocked at the Super Bowl halftime show. Let’s goooo
My favorite song of all time. I actually won a competition in high school English class by doing a report/breakdown of this song.
I'm 80s born and 90s raised the Chili Peppers were The Beach Boys of my Era. They were the quintessential California rock band. Keep enjoying the ride!
RHCP has so many songs you guys would like - Give It Away, Soul to Squeeze (my personal favorite), Aeroplane, Around the World, Higher Ground, Love Rollercoaster (a cover and a freakin’ bop), just so many…
I can remember exactly where I was when I first heard this song back in the day.. Freshman year of high school, Earth Science class. Teach always had the radio on. ❤
I think "Raindance Maggie" and "Dani California" come in right behind this one on my faves list. And we can't forget "Californication" and what started it all for me "Give it Away"... He speaks true.
This song is about heroin addiction and the original RHCP guitarist, Hillel Slovak, died of a heroin overdose. He and Anthony Kiedis were close friends and the song My Lovely Man is a tribute to Hillel.
I have this jam on cassette. I bought it back in 1992. It's my favorite jam from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers...😁👍
First song i learn to play and later perform in the Bay Area... The song hit home, as strangers wanting to hang with you...people think you're in a great situation with friends but they don't realize how a lone you feel. God that was a life time ago. .
90 s Hard Rock "Primal Scream" Motley Cruz also "Don't dog me" Raging Slab. Crazy video great rocking group. "Insane in the brain" Cypress Hill.
Others have mentioned "I Could Have Lied." They also have a couple that you might like on the _Californication_ record: "This Velvet Glove," which has a really tight guitar sound as John Frusciante really lays on the harmonics, and "Road Trippin," which almost has a little Elliott Smith feel to it with the backing vocals.
This is my all time favorite RHCP song... It always moves me
'I could of lied' is excellent also. Highly recommend!!