Scar Tissue

Last updated

"Scar Tissue"
Scartissue.jpg
Single by Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album Californication
B-side
  • "Gong Li"
  • "Instrumental #1"
ReleasedMay 25, 1999 (1999-05-25)
Genre
Length3:35
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Rick Rubin
Red Hot Chili Peppers singles chronology
"Love Rollercoaster"
(1996)		"Scar Tissue"
(1999)		"Around the World"
(1999)
Music video
"Scar Tissue" on YouTube

"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.

Contents

"Scar Tissue" is considered to be representative of the new, more melodic rock sound the band experimented with on Californication (in contrast with the psychedelic One Hot Minute , and dry funk of Blood Sugar Sex Magik ). The song is notable for its mellow intro guitar riff and for its slide guitar solos throughout. Guitar World placed the guitar solo 63rd in its list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Solos". [1] "Scar Tissue" won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2000. In 2004, lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis published an autobiography titled after the song.

Music video

The music video for "Scar Tissue" was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui, who also directed the video for "Give It Away". The opening shot is of John Frusciante driving down a strip of desert highway, a metaphor for Frusciante's return to the band (he does not drive in real life). But the four of them are battered, beaten and bandaged. They are traveling in a rusty wreck and playing broken instruments on the comeback trail. The video ends after an emotional thirty second Frusciante guitar solo at the moment of sunset, with John tossing the broken, stringless guitar from the car. The car Frusciante pretended to drive for the video was a 1967 Pontiac Catalina convertible. A very similar concept was considered, then scrapped, for the earlier "Soul to Squeeze" video. Prior to the video shoot, Kiedis had his hair cut and bleached his brown hair to platinum blond, a look he kept throughout the promotion and tour for Californication. It was filmed in California's Mojave Desert.

Reception

"Scar Tissue" is widely regarded as one of the band's best songs. In 2021, Kerrang ranked the song number three on their list of the 20 greatest Red Hot Chili Peppers songs, [2] and in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked the song number two on their list of the 40 greatest Red Hot Chili Peppers songs. [3]

Live performances

"Scar Tissue" has been a live staple in the band's setlists since its first performance in 1998 making it the band's fifth most performed song overall. [4] American band Mr. Bungle performed a mock version of the song in 1999, as part of a halloween concert parodying Red Hot Chili Peppers. [5]

Track listings

CD single (1999) (Catalogue Number 9 16913–2)

  1. "Scar Tissue" (album) – 3:37
  2. "Gong Li" (previously unreleased) – 3:42
  3. "Instrumental #1" (previously unreleased) – 2:48

CD single (Slipcase) (1999)

  1. "Scar Tissue" (album) – 3:37
  2. "Gong Li" (previously unreleased) – 3:42

Cassette single (1999)

  1. "Scar Tissue" (album)
  2. "Gong Li" (previously unreleased)

Personnel

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [41] Gold35,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [42] Gold45,000‡
Italy (FIMI) [43] Platinum50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [44] 3× Platinum90,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [45] Platinum600,000‡
United States (RIAA) [46] 4× Platinum4,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United StatesMay 24, 1999Rock radio Warner Bros. [47] [48]
EuropeMay 25, 1999CD [15] [49]
United KingdomMay 31, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 [50]
JapanJune 9, 1999CD [51]
United StatesJune 21, 1999 [52]
June 22, 1999 Contemporary hit radio [53]
September 14, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 [54]
CanadaOctober 12, 1999CD [55]

See also

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 six 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 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>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">Give It Away (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)</span> 1991 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Californication (song)</span> 2000 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Californication" is a song by the American rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their seventh album, Californication (1999). Released as a single in June 2000, it reached number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, and number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otherside</span> 2000 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Otherside" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was released as the third single from their seventh studio album, Californication (1999), and confronts the battles addicts have with their prior addictions. The track was released in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan in 1999 and was given an international release in January of the following year.

<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">The Zephyr Song</span> 2002 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"The Zephyr Song" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released as the second single released from their eighth studio album, By the Way (2002), on August 17, 2002. The song, as a single, was released in two parts. Both editions held two previously unheard-of B-sides, making it, collectively, hold four non-LP tracks. The single peaked at number six on the US Billboard Modern Rock chart, breaking the band's streak of three straight number-one hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeroplane (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)</span> 1996 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Aeroplane" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers from their sixth studio album, One Hot Minute (1995). It was the third single released from the album and a music video accompanied its release. Although the song was left off the band's Greatest Hits album, the music video was included on the accompanying DVD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Friends (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)</span> Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"My Friends" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and the fourth track on their sixth studio album, One Hot Minute (1995). It is a melodic ballad and was released as the second single from the album. It is the only song from One Hot Minute to be included on their Greatest Hits compilation, though the music video for "Aeroplane" appears on the DVD. It became the band's third number-one single on the US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for four consecutive weeks, and their first number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, making it the band's first single to top both charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">By the Way (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)</span> 2002 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"By the Way" is a song by American funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It is the title track and first single released from the band's eighth studio album of the same name (2002), on June 24, 2002. The song was the band's sixth number-one hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and spent seven weeks at number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Internationally, the song reached number two in the United Kingdom, becoming the band's highest-peaking single there alongside "Dani California", and peaked atop the Italian Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warped (song)</span> 1995 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Warped" is a song by American alternative rock group Red Hot Chili Peppers from their 1995 album, One Hot Minute. It was released as the first single from the album in August 1995. It is the first track on One Hot Minute, beginning with an unusually quiet intro, before suddenly kicking into a very heavy, crunching riff, and ends with a mellow, melodic outro. Anthony Kiedis' vocals are distorted and echoed throughout, and contrast dramatically with the rapping present on the band's previous material, especially on their more fast-paced songs such as this; short lines are stretched to fill an entire measure. The musical style is of an unpredictable and unsettling nature, which is generally maintained throughout the entire album. The lyrics describe Kiedis' confused feelings about drugs, starting already in the first lines with: "my tendency/for dependency/is offending me".

<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. 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> 2003 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Can't Stop" is a song by 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. The song was the band's eighth number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it spent three weeks topping the chart, and peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Can't Stop" performed moderately well on international charts as well as on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and Mainstream Rock charts.

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

Since 1983, the American funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers has released 13 studio albums, two live albums, 12 compilation albums, 11 video albums, five extended plays, 66 singles, and 53 music videos. To date, the band has sold over 120 million records worldwide. According to the RIAA the Chili Peppers have 6× Multi-Platinum, 2× Platinum and 3× Gold albums in the US, totalling 27.5m. They also have 9× Multi-Platinum, 3× Platinum and 4× Gold singles too, totalling 40m. They have been nominated for 19 Grammy Awards, of which they have won 6. They have the most no.1 singles (15), the most cumulative weeks at no.1 (91) and most top-10 songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.

"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.

"Tippa My Tongue" is a song by American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and the first single from the band's thirteenth studio album Return of the Dream Canteen. The single, along with a music video, was released on August 19, 2022.

References

  1. ↑ Leonard, Hal (2013). Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time. United States: Hal Leonard Corp. ISBN   9781480356979.
  2. ↑ Law, Sam (March 17, 2021). "The 20 greatest Red Hot Chili Peppers songs – ranked". Kerrang . Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  3. ↑ "The 40 Greatest Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs". Rolling Stone . April 11, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Live". The Side. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Five Noteworthy Facts You May Not Know About Faith No More | Exclaim!".
  6. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7279." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8358." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 8375." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Britney Spears se coloca entre las más escuchadas". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). October 17, 1999. p. 88. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 16, no. 25. June 19, 1999. p. 15. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers: Scar Tissue" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  15. 1 2 "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn (1.7–8.7. 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). July 2, 1999. p. 11. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  17. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Scar Tissue". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Hits of the World – Italy" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 111, no. 31. July 31, 1999. p. 70. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 37, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Major Market Airplay – Week 26/1999" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 16, no. 26. June 26, 1999. p. 19. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  31. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999". ARIA. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  32. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM . Retrieved July 29, 2018– via Library and Archives Canada.
  33. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 50 Rock Tracks". RPM . Retrieved July 29, 2018– via Library and Archives Canada.
  34. ↑ "Jaarlijsten 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  35. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  37. ↑ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 47.
  38. 1 2 "1999 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-90. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  40. ↑ "The Best of '99: Most Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 38.
  41. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved July 15, 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Scar Tissue" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  44. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  45. ↑ "British single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  46. ↑ "American single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Big Rock Is Back, Baby". Radio & Records . No. 1300. May 21, 1999. p. 86. ...'Scar Tissue' (coming Monday)...
  48. ↑ "Adds for May 24 & 25". Gavin Report . No. 2256. May 21, 1999. p. 31.
  49. ↑ "The 15 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs". PopMatters. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  50. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 31 May, 1999: Singles". Music Week . May 29, 1999. p. 25.
  51. ↑ "スカー・ティッシュ | レッド・ホット・チリ・ペッパーズ" [Scar Tissue | Red Hot Chili Peppers] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Gavin AC/Hot AC: Impact Dates". Gavin Report . No. 2260. June 21, 1999. p. 34.
  53. ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1304. June 18, 1999. p. 42.
  54. ↑ Pietroluongo, Silvio (September 25, 1999). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard . Vol. 111, no. 39. p. 105. ...Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Scar Tissue' (Warner Bros.), as cassette and CD configurations hit retail Sept. 14.
  55. ↑ "Album Releases: October 1999". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
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.