Give It Away (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)

Last updated

"Give It Away"
Give It Away Single Cover.jpg
Single by Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik
B-side
ReleasedSeptember 4, 1991 (1991-09-04)
RecordedApril–June 1991
Studio The Mansion (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length
  • 4:43 (album version)
  • 3:47 (edit)
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Rick Rubin
Red Hot Chili Peppers singles chronology
"Show Me Your Soul"
(1990)		"Give It Away"
(1991)		"Under the Bridge"
(1992)
Music video
"Give It Away" on YouTube

"Give It Away" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers from the group's fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). It was released as the lead single from their album in September 1991 by Warner Bros. Records. The music was written by guitarist John Frusciante and bassist Flea during a jam session months prior to the album recording sessions. Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the song's most prevalent lyrical refrain in response to an experience he shared with former girlfriend Nina Hagen regarding altruistic behavior and the value of selflessness.

Contents

"Give It Away" went on to achieve international fame, reaching number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks in late 1991, giving the band their first ever number one single. In 1992 the single charted inside the top 75 of the US Hot 100 in the wake of the huge success of the record's second single "Under the Bridge". "Give It Away" also became the band's first top ten hit in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart; this did not occur until February 1994, nearly two and a half years after it was first released in the US. [5]

The accompanying music video, which was directed by French film-maker Stéphane Sednaoui, was put into heavy rotation on music-television stations such as MTV and added to the band's success. Since its release, "Give It Away" has gone on to receive numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for the Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocals in 1992. Steve Huey of AllMusic noted that while the single "didn't achieve the massive pop success of its follow-up, 'Under the Bridge' [...] it did become one of the band's most instantly recognizable songs." [3]

Origins and recording

Guitarist John Frusciante and bassist Flea wrote much of "Give It Away" during jam sessions in the early 1990s. [6] Following the Chili Peppers' tour in support of Mother's Milk (1989), the duo spent time in a side project called H.A.T.E. with members of Fishbone. During their tenure in the group, the guitarist and bassist created the main riff and accompanying bassline for "Give It Away". The rhythm was played at several H.A.T.E. performances shortly thereafter, but when the side project disbanded Frusciante and Flea believed the track would be appropriate for the Chili Peppers' upcoming record. [6] Vocalist Anthony Kiedis agreed, and upon hearing the rest of the Chili Peppers play the song he began chanting "give it away, give it away, give it away now". The phrase had been something the vocalist intended to incorporate into a song for the band's new record, but it was not until he heard the bassline that the lyrics fit. Kiedis said, "I was so struck by Flea's bass part, which covered the whole length of the instrument's neck, that I jumped up and marched over to the mic, my notebook in tow. I always had fragments of songs and ideas or even specific isolated phrases in mind." [7]

The song was recorded between April and June 1991 at The Mansion in Los Angeles, California. [8] Through the recording of "Give It Away" came a practice of crafting songs that the band would continue to use on every album following Blood Sugar Sex Magik. [9] When the group encountered difficulty in composing a bridge for the song, it developed a tool the members colloquially termed "face-offs". Flea and Frusciante were unable to come to an agreement on guitar or bass progressions, but separately crafted part of the song. The band then reconvened at a later time and chose the most appropriate inclusion. With "Give It Away", a chorus and verse had already been written but a bridge was lacking, so thus they partook in a "face-off". [9]

Lyrics and meaning

The lyrical meaning behind "Give It Away" is centered on the philosophy of selflessness and altruistic behavior. [6] The song is titled after its most prevalent lyrical phrase "give it away", which is taken from an experience Kiedis had with his former girlfriend—punk rock singer Nina Hagen—in the early 1980s. [6] Hagen was several years Kiedis's senior and became a role-model during his drug addiction to heroin: "she realized how young and inexperienced I was then, so she was always passing on gems to me, not in a preachy way, just by seizing on opportunities." [9] When Kiedis was looking through her closet he came across a jacket he liked, and commented to Hagen that it was "really cool". [9] Upon expressing this, Hagen immediately told him to keep it. Her reasoning behind this selflessness was due to an attempt to constantly make her life more enjoyable, and explained to Kiedis that "if you have a closet full of clothes and you try to keep them all, your life will get very small. But if you have a full closet and someone sees something they like, if you give it to them, the world is a better place." [9]

The act was something that affected Kiedis significantly because he had never before experienced such an enlightening ideology on life. Growing up in Los Angeles, he had always thought differently from Hagen. Instead of giving material possessions away and being free thinking, the vocalist believed one must take what one wants, as no one else will provide. [9] Instead, he now adopted Hagen's philosophy: "It was such an epiphany that someone would want to give me her favorite thing. That stuck with me forever. Every time I'd be thinking 'I have to keep,' I'd remember 'No, you gotta give away instead.' When I started going regularly to [drug and alcohol] meetings, one of the principles I had learned was that the way to maintain your own sobriety is to give it to another suffering alcoholic. Every time you empty your vessel of that energy, fresh new energy comes flooding in." [9] Flea's bassline for the song allowed Kiedis to recall this incident and he believed the music paired perfectly with the lyrics. [6] During the verses, Kiedis departs from the idea of unselfishness and sings about a variety of topics including long-time friend River Phoenix, musician Bob Marley and various sexual themes including fertility and lust. [10]

Music and composition

"Give It Away" is performed in the time signature of 4/4 time. [11] The track begins with a distinctively "dry" guitar tone that is similar in style to the rest of the record. [12] Producer Rick Rubin had a considerable influence on the sound of Blood Sugar Sex Magik by removing much of the reverb and guitar layering that epitomized the band's previous album Mother's Milk. This caused the record to contain simpler and dryer guitar and bass chords that were not filtered through guitar effects—those that did, however, were made with vintage electronics from the 1960s and 70s. [13] For "Give It Away", along with the rest of the album, Rubin sought to achieve a sense of atmosphere that was similar to 60s records that were made without commercialism or viability in mind and to downplay on "big" sounds: "What you hear is what you get—there's not a lot of trickery. A lot of people want the biggest sound, with walls of guitar and huge drums. But I don't think those things matter." [12] The song follows a traditional verse-chorus-verse structure; when Kiedis begins singing, Frusciante jumps into a funk-oriented riff that is repeated throughout the verse while Flea plays a bass line that uses virtually the entire length of the fretboard. [6] [13]

During the chorus, Kiedis sings "Give it away, give it away, give it away now" repeatedly over a more rapid guitar riff before Frusciante provides, according to Steve Huey of Allmusic, a "sudden contrast to Kiedis's hyperactivity in the form of a languid solo pre-recorded and dubbed backwards over the rhythm track." [3] The solo was recorded in one take because Frusciante had developed a preference towards speedy execution and a raw feeling; according to Flea, "We did very little fix-up stuff. John's philosophy was that he would only play a solo twice. He'd play it once, and if he didn't like it or we didn't like it, he'd play it again—completely different. And that was it." [13] "Give It Away" also makes use of other instruments like the jew's harp, which was played by band friend Pete Weiss. [3] The song continues through several verses and choruses before reaching a bridge that introduces the outro, which consists of "a hard-rocking riff" that, according to Huey, strongly resembles the main riff from Black Sabbath's "Sweet Leaf" from their 1971 record Master of Reality . [3] Kiedis repeats "Give it away now" for several measures before the guitar, bass and drums drop out.

Release and reception

"Give It Away" was released as the lead single from Blood Sugar Sex Magik in early September 1991, shortly before the record went on sale. Warner Bros. sought to premiere the song on a popular rock radio station in Texas, but were turned down when the format refused to air the track—they told employees at the label to "come back to us when you have a melody in your song". [14] The band then embarked on a short press tour through Europe in order to promote the record; it was during this time that KROQ-FM, a Los Angeles-based modern rock station, began to place "Give It Away" on heavy rotation. According to Kiedis, "That was the beginning of the infusion of those songs into mass consciousness." [15]

Critical reception to the song, much like the album, was highly positive. Jeff Vice of Deseret News noted "[this] dynamic first single that pays homage to Bob Marley, may start a new musical trend with its brilliant Rasta-funk." [16] Patrick MacDonald of The Seattle Times commented that "[Blood Sugar Sex Magik] includes one of the best songs the Peppers have done—'Give It Away', the first single. The hook is irresistible and the message, about 'material excess,' is delivered simply and straightforwardly." [17] Steve Huey of AllMusic felt the song was enhanced by Kiedis's lyrics, which were "a free-associative mixture of positive vibes, tributes to musical heroes, and free love, and their literal meaning was often as difficult to understand as Kiedis's nasal, staccato enunciation. But that distinctive vocal style helped make the most comprehensible lines even catchier and more memorable, greatly enhancing the song's appeal." [3] He continued by praising the track's music, "John Frusciante's guitar should not be underappreciated either; his noisy, scratchy funk-rock work add[s] depth and texture to the powerhouse rhythm section of Flea and Chad Smith." [3] Steven Wells from NME declared it as "screamingly anti-materialist". [18] Another editor, Terry Staunton, opined, "A tad sluggish compared to usual Chili Peppers fare, this has been a big hit in America but will not be here. Anthony Kiedis sounds horribly like Aerosmith's Steve Tyler". [19] Jay Clarke of the Richmond Times-Dispatch felt "Give It Away" was "a journey into the funky world of Kiedis and Flea. This song invigorates better than the heaviest metal or the most hard-core rap." [20] Tom Moon of Rolling Stone noted, "The pummeling 'Give It Away' [...] established a template for rock punctuated by the beatcentric relentlessness of hip-hop that would be appropriated by everyone." [21] Mark Sutherland from UK magazine Smash Hits gave it four out of five, declaring it as "an almighty funky beast of a rock stomper that will have entire nations dancing like constipated chickens and might just make them as hay-uge here as they are in the States." [22]

Since the song's release, it has become a notable factor in the Red Hot Chili Peppers' success and has won a variety of accolades. "Give It Away" won a Grammy award at the 35th Ceremony in 1993 for the "Best Hard Rock Performance". [23] In 1994 "Give It Away" was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's unordered list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock"; [24] in 2002 Kerrang! placed the song at number 67 in their list of the "100 Greatest Singles of All Time"; [25] in 2004 Q included it in their unordered list of the "1001 Songs You Must Own!"; [26] and VH1 awarded the song the 50th spot in its 2009 compilation of the "100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs". [27] Kerrang! and Rolling Stone both named "Give It Away" as the Red Hot Chili Peppers' fourth-best song. [28] [29]

Music video

Frusciante playing a reflective silver Fender Stratocaster and wearing sequined pants in the music video for "Give It Away". Giveitawayfrusciantepants.jpg
Frusciante playing a reflective silver Fender Stratocaster and wearing sequined pants in the music video for "Give It Away".

The music video for "Give It Away" was made by French fashion photographer and director Stéphane Sednaoui. Kiedis wanted the video to be visually distinct and readily identifiable but disliked much of the material Warner Bros. sent for him to choose from: "I started viewing reels and reels and reels of video directors but nothing looked good to me. Everything was the same, boring, homogenized, contrived shit." [30] Upon finding Sednaoui's reel, however, the singer said it was "like nothing else. It was slower and poetic, shot in black and white. It seemed like authentic art, not something shot for MTV." [30] He and Flea met with Sednaoui to talk about the video, for which the director proposed a "very desolated [and] very graphic landscape," while heavily focusing on the band members with little to no outside influence. [31] It was decided that the video would be filmed in black and white while Sednaoui took the idea of painting the band members with silver acrylic from previous photo shoots[ clarification needed ] he had done. The photographer recalls that he was "amazed by what [the band] gave me because they went far far far beyond what I was expecting and I think that's one of my best experiences in that regard". [31] The overall mood of the video was intended to be a personification of the song, upbeat and lively. [10]

Sednaoui experimented with a variety of cinematography techniques including wide-angle lenses, shots from below the subjects, superimposition, vertically cut screens displaying different angles of the same shot, reverse film effects, multiple lighting situations and flashy clothing to convey his concept. Frusciante noted the feeling of the video to be extremely vibrant and over-the-top: "When it was us just painting ourselves silver and wearing these big silver boots and stuff, I mean it felt like glam rock or something." [31]

The video begins with a wide-angle shot of Flea in a desert setting wearing pants with several gold-colored horns protruding from each leg. The bassist is standing in a meditative stance and brings his arms together above his head when the music begins to play. The video then transitions between a variety of shots edited together that consist of the four band members standing with their eyes closed; the band dancing around in a dimly lit setting; a ground view of Frusciante playing a reflective silver Fender Stratocaster in between his legs while wearing pants made up entirely of small pieces of mirror; the band members moving around with full makeup on; and the band members dancing frenziedly. Kiedis adopted a deliberately outlandish wardrobe which incorporated gold lipstick, revealing mesh shorts and bright silver boots. [31]

During the backwards guitar solo, Frusciante was filmed waving a large aluminum ribbon; Kiedis was initially apprehensive about Sednaoui's desire for the guitarist to do so, believing he would tell the director "'Fuck you and take that dancing ribbon and shove it up your French ass, buddy' but [Frusciante] gladly went off and made love to the air with this dancing ribbon. He would have danced around for hours with that thing." [14] The footage was edited in reverse to complement the solo. While some of the scenes were planned with a storyboard, much of it was improvised or made up on the spot over the two-day shoot. [31] During a particular scene Kiedis began to move his tongue flamboyantly to dramatically accentuate the lyrics, which Sednaoui believed was extremely beneficial to the exuberant nature of the video. [31] Where the video begins in what appears to be the daytime, it concludes at dusk with silhouettes of the band members running into the setting sun.

The video—which cost an estimated $140,000 to produce—was completed while Kiedis and Frusciante were on a promotional trip through Europe in support of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. [32] When the vocalist first saw it, he was "more hysterically ecstatic about that piece of visual footage than anything [the band had] ever done." [15] Warner Bros. executives, however, were worried that the content would be "too weird" or "too artsy" for the general public and favored a more traditional premise in contrast to the experimental approach Sednaoui took. [15] The video was ultimately released on September 4, 1991, [33] without being edited by the record label;[ why? ] since then it has been widely credited as being a considerable factor in the Red Hot Chili Peppers' success and greatly increased their international popularity. [34] Journalist Jeff Apter noted the video's "funky brew of goofy looks, a subtle invasive hook, Flea's spindly fingered baseline and Kiedis's crotch-hugging shorts made the clip essential viewing across MTV throughout the last few months of 1991." [34] Steve Huey of AllMusic wrote in his review of the song that "MTV jumped all over the visually distinctive video." [3] Nominated for three awards—"Best Alternative Video", "Breakthrough Video", and "Best Art Direction"—at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, it won the latter two. [34]

Live performances

"Give It Away" has been performed live by the band over 1,000 times, the most out of any of the band's songs and 32 years after its first performance; it remains a staple in the band's setlists, often closing the show’s main set or encore. [35] The band has performed the song on various talk shows and other events, including Saturday Night Live on March 6, 2006; [36] as well as during the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show on February 2, 2014. [37] The Los Angeles Rams (of which the band members are fans) play the song prior to the start of the fourth quarter during home games at SoFi Stadium. [38]

Formats and track listing

Personnel

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Additional musicians

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Give It Away"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [51] Gold30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [52] Gold400,000‡
United States (RIAA) [53] 2× Platinum2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Give It Away"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesSeptember 1991— Warner Bros.
JapanMarch 10, 1992CD [54]
United KingdomJanuary 24, 1994
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [55]

Cover version

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Hot Chili Peppers</span> American rock band

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk rock, hard rock, hip hop, and psychedelic rock. Their eclectic range has influenced genres such as funk metal, rap metal, rap rock, and nu metal. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the top-selling bands of all time. They hold the records for most number-one singles (15), most cumulative weeks at number one (91) and most top-ten songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They have won three Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2022 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<i>Blood Sugar Sex Magik</i> 1991 studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band's previous album Mother's Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album's subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.

<i>Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt</i> 1994 studio album by John Frusciante

Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-Shirt is the debut album by the American musician John Frusciante, released on November 22, 1994, by American Recordings.

<i>One Hot Minute</i> 1995 studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers

One Hot Minute is the sixth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 12, 1995, by Warner Bros. Records. The worldwide success of the band's previous album Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) caused guitarist John Frusciante to become uncomfortable with their popularity, eventually quitting mid-tour in 1992. Following a series of short-term replacements, the band hired guitarist Dave Navarro in 1993; it was his only studio album with the band. Recording for the album took place at the Sound Factory in Hollywood from June 1994 to February 1995. It marked the second collaboration between the band and producer Rick Rubin.

<i>Mothers Milk</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Mother's Milk is the fourth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on August 16, 1989 by EMI Records. After the death of founding guitarist Hillel Slovak and the subsequent departure of drummer Jack Irons, vocalist Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea regrouped with the addition of guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith. Frusciante's influence altered the band's sound by placing more emphasis on melody than rhythm, which had dominated the band's previous material. Returning producer Michael Beinhorn favored heavy metal guitar riffs as well as overdubbing. Frusciante perceived Beinhorn's taste as excessive, and as a result, the two constantly fought over the album's guitar sound.

<i>The Uplift Mofo Party Plan</i> 1987 studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Uplift Mofo Party Plan is the third studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 29, 1987, by EMI Manhattan. Due to prior obligations resulting in temporary personnel changes following the band's formation in 1983, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan is the only studio album to feature all four founding members of the band on every track: vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons. This is also the last album with Slovak before his death from a drug overdose in 1988, and the only full-length album to feature Irons. "Fight Like a Brave" was released as the album's only single, although "Me and My Friends" received minor radio airplay. In 1992, "Behind the Sun" was released as a single and music video to promote What Hits!?.

<i>By the Way</i> 2002 studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers

By the Way is the eighth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released July 9, 2002, on Warner Bros. Records. It sold more than 286,000 copies in its first week, and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. Singles included "By the Way", "The Zephyr Song", "Can't Stop" and "Universally Speaking". Additionally, "Dosed" was released as a promotional single in the US and Canada. The lyrical subject matter vocalist Anthony Kiedis addresses in By the Way is a divergence from previous Red Hot Chili Peppers albums, with Kiedis taking a more candid and reflective approach to his lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Under the Bridge</span> 1992 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Under the Bridge" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and the eleventh track on their fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the lyrics while reflecting on loneliness and the struggles of being clean from drugs, and almost did not share it with the band. Released in March 1992 by Warner Bros. Records, "Under the Bridge" was praised by critics and fans for its emotional weight. The song was a commercial success and the band's highest-charting single, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Cash Box Top 100 and certified platinum. It was also a success in other countries, mostly charting within the top 10. Gus Van Sant directed the song's music video, which was filmed in Los Angeles.

<i>Californication</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Californication is the seventh studio album by U.S. rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on June 8, 1999, on Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Rick Rubin. Along with Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication is one of the band’s best-selling albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suck My Kiss</span> Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Suck My Kiss" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was released as the third single from their fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. "Suck My Kiss" was released as an airplay single in the United States in 1991 and as a physical single in Australia and New Zealand the following year, reaching the top 10 in the two latter countries and peaking at number 15 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scar Tissue</span> 1999 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Scar Tissue" is the first single from American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers' seventh studio album, Californication (1999). Released on May 25, 1999, the song spent a then-record 16 consecutive weeks atop the US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart as well as 10 weeks atop the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and it reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also successful in Iceland, New Zealand, and Canada, reaching numbers one, three, and four, respectively. In the United Kingdom, it charted at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breaking the Girl</span> 1992 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Breaking the Girl" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers from their fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). It was released as the fourth single from their studio album in August 1992 and is a melodic ballad that refers to a turbulent relationship between frontman Anthony Kiedis and his former girlfriend, Carmen Hawk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Around the World (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)</span> 1999 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Around the World" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, appearing as the opening track on their seventh studio album Californication (1999). The song was released as the album's second single on August 23, 1999. The single peaked at number seven on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 16 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soul to Squeeze</span> 1993 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Soul to Squeeze" is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers that was originally recorded during the production of their fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). Although it was not featured on the record and was used as a B-side on the singles "Give It Away" and "Under the Bridge", "Soul to Squeeze" was later released as a single in 1993 by Warner Bros. Records. The song was included in the Coneheads film soundtrack. "Soul to Squeeze" was eventually re-released for the 2003 Greatest Hits album. It can also be found on the band's Live Rare Remix Box and The Plasma Shaft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Stop (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)</span> 2002 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Can't Stop" is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, from their eighth studio album, By the Way (2002). It was released as the third single from the album on February 3, 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road Trippin'</span> Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Road Trippin'" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers from their seventh studio album, Californication (1999). It was released as the album's fifth and final single in November 18, 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Have to Ask</span> Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"If You Have to Ask" is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their 1991 studio album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. It was released as the album's fifth and final single in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hump de Bump</span> 2007 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Hump de Bump" is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their 2006 double album, Stadium Arcadium. The song is the fifth and final single released from Stadium Arcadium and the last single the band would release with John Frusciante until "Black Summer" in 2022, as he had quit the band in 2009 before returning in 2019. Originally expected to be the fourth single for the US, Canada and Australia, the Red Hot Chili Peppers decided to make the single and video a worldwide release thanks to the positive feedback on the video, which was directed by comedian and good friend Chris Rock. The single was released in the US on April 7, 2007 while it was released May 10, 2007 in the rest of the world.

"Black Summer" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and is the first single from their twelfth studio album, Unlimited Love. The single was released on February 4, 2022, and it was their first song in 16 years to feature guitarist John Frusciante, following his return to the band in 2019.

References

  1. ↑ Elliott, Paul (May 30, 2016). "The Top 20 Greatest Funk Rock Songs". TeamRock. Team Rock Limited. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  2. ↑ Strong, Martin Charles; Griffin, Brendon (2008). Lights, camera, sound tracks. Canongate. p. 542. ISBN   978-1-84767-003-8. With another series of striking videos, the Chili Peppers almost scored a US No.l with the aching ballad, 'Under The Bridge' while the body-jerk funk-rock of 'Give It Away' made the UK Top 10.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Huey, Steve. "'Give It Away' review". AllMusic . Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  4. ↑ Grierson, Tim (October 25, 2015). "Top 10 Essential Rap-Rock Songs". About.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Apter, 2004. p. 229
  7. ↑ Kiedis, 2004. p. 272
  8. ↑ "Give It Away" single Liner Notes.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kiedis, 2004. p. 273
  10. 1 2 Apter, 2004. p. 230
  11. ↑ "Blood Sugar Sex Magik Guitar Book." Hal Leonard (1995).
  12. 1 2 Gore, Joe (October 1991). "Red Hot Chili Peppers: Gods of Sex Funk." Guitar Player .
  13. 1 2 3 Di Perna, Alan (November 1991). "Free Spirits in the Material World." Guitar World .
  14. 1 2 Kiedis, 2004. p. 280
  15. 1 2 3 Kiedis, 2004. p. 281
  16. ↑ Vice, Jeff (March 14, 1992). "Releases Show Continuing Evolution of Punk Rock." Deseret News .
  17. ↑ MacDonald, Patrick (January 3, 1992). "Rock Rapped In Funk — Red Hot Chili Peppers Are Giving It Away Tonight, Along With Pearl Jam." The Seattle Times .
  18. ↑ Wells, Steven (October 12, 1991). "Long Play". NME . p. 36. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  19. ↑ Staunton, Terry (January 29, 1994). "Singles". NME . p. 47. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  20. ↑ Clarke, Jay (December 24, 1991). "Chili Peppers Hotter Than Ever On This One." Richmond Times-Dispatch .
  21. ↑ Moon, Tom (August 28, 2003). "Blood Sugar Sex Magik Review". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on July 29, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
  22. ↑ Sutherland, Mark (January 19, 1994). "New Singles". Smash Hits . p. 55. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Grammy Award Winners Searchable Database". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 13, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  24. ↑ "500 Songs That Shaped Rock". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  25. ↑ "The 100 Greatest Singles of All Time." Kerrang! (December 14, 2002).
  26. ↑ "1001 Songs You Must Own!" Q (September 2004).
  27. ↑ "100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs". VH1. Archived from the original on February 16, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  28. ↑ Law, Sam (March 17, 2021). "The 20 greatest Red Hot Chili Peppers songs – ranked". Kerrang . Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  29. ↑ "The 40 Greatest Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs". Rolling Stone . April 11, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  30. 1 2 Kiedis, 2004. p. 279
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Making of "Give It Away"; Red Hot Chili Peppers' Greatest Hits and Videos (2003).
  32. ↑ Van Splunteren, Bram (1992) "Red Hot Chili Peppers." Hit of Shit [Dutch Television Show]. VPRO.
  33. ↑ "RHCP Timeline". Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  34. 1 2 3 Apter, 2004. p. 234
  35. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Tour Statistics – setlist.fm". Setlist.fm. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  36. ↑ Navaroli, Joel. "SNL Archives | Episodes | June 5, 2006 #11". SNL Archives. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  37. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (February 2, 2014). "Bruno Mars Gets One-Sided Super Bowl Bouncing With Biggest Hits". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  38. ↑ "RHCP Bassist Flea talks New Music, Makes Super Bowl Predictions".
  39. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  40. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 8. February 19, 1994. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away" (in French). Les classement single.
  43. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Give It Away". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  45. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away". Top 40 Singles.
  46. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  48. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  50. ↑ "The Year in Music 1991: Top Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard . Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-41.
  51. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  52. ↑ "British single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  53. ↑ "American single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  54. ↑ "ギブ・イット・アウェイ | レッド・ホット・チリ・ペッパーズ" [Give It Away | Red Hot Chili Peppers] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Single Releases". Music Week . January 22, 1994. p. 21.
  56. ↑ "Five Noteworthy Facts You May Not Know About Faith No More | Exclaim!". Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.