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Red Hot Chili Peppers — Californication
Album: Californication
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3274









Released: 1999
Length: 5:23
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Psychic spies from China
Try to steal your mind's elation
Little girls from Sweden
Dream of silver screen quotations

And if you want these kind of dreams
It's Californication
It's the, edge of the world
And all of western civilization
The sun may rise in the East
At least it's settled in a final location

It's understood that Hollywood
Sells Californication

Pay your surgeon very well
To break the spell of aging
Celebrity skin is this your chin
Or is that war you're waging

First born unicorn
Hard core soft porn

Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication

Marry me girl be my fairy to the world
Be my very own constellation
A teenage bride with a baby inside
Getting high on information

And buy me a star on the boulevard
It's Californication

Space may be the final frontier
But it's made in a Hollywood basement
And Cobain can you hear the spheres
Singing songs off Station To Station

And Alderaan's not far away
It's Californication

Born and raised by those who praise
Control of population
Everybody's been there and
I don't mean on vacation

First born unicorn
Hard core soft porn

Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication


Destruction leads to a very rough road
But it also breeds creation
And earthquakes are to a girl's guitar
They're just another good vibration

And tidal waves couldn't save the world
From Californication

Pay your surgeon very well
To break the spell of aging
Sicker than the rest, there is no test
But this is what you're craving

First born unicorn
Hard core soft porn

Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication
Dream of Californication
Comments (150)add comment
 bpemby wrote:


As you're writing a comment here obviously you're listening on the web site.  Just pretend this is a CD and click the next button.  It's that simple and not putting out a negative opinion that not everyone will share.  This is the freedom you've been provided.  Unless you can find a radio station that only plays songs that you approve of, then head over there.


So, I followed your advice and clicked 'next'....so much better thanks for the tip!
 Grebbel wrote:

HA! They gonna play this evening right behind my house! Pizza, beer and chill. 




Totally cool!  ...I hope it is  good "craft beer"!   ...Enjoy!
 nicknt wrote:

Their last good album.




....was Mother's Milk.
 jmsmy wrote:

take some lyric writing lesions from Jackson Browne or Don Henley



Spot (!) the mistake ....
Their last good album.
 dylan46 wrote:

R H C P What a drag !!




I get taking the time to make a negative comment that includes something productive inside (share an artist or song in the same vein you prefer, whatever). But it's unclear why people bother with stuff like the above. Rate the song and move on!
 1017517763 wrote:

I guess I heard it all three times it was played this month but it feels like it was played 3 times this week.




Consider this new feature of programming the new normal. Part of the transition.
I guess I heard it all three times it was played this month but it feels like it was played 3 times this week.
RHCP lost the loudness wars. But I still love em. 
The negative comments here suggest RHCP have entered the U2 zone of utter scorn and rejection no matter what. 

boring
 jmsmy wrote:

take some lyric writing lesions from Jackson Browne or Don Henley



Hmmm,  you might want to read your own sentence.  See anything wrong?
 bpemby wrote:


As you're writing a comment here obviously you're listening on the web site.  Just pretend this is a CD and click the next button.  It's that simple and not putting out a negative opinion that not everyone will share.  This is the freedom you've been provided.  Unless you can find a radio station that only plays songs that you approve of, then head over there.



No, some of us listen to the FLAC stream in apps that provide more audio options.  We come here to find out more about what we're listening to.  And he's got a right to his negative opinion.  Is it any worse than listening to everyone fawn over the given song/band like it's the best thing since sliced f#@% bread?  Because usually it's not.
 jelgator wrote:

Mother's Milk was the last album worth anything.  Since then, Muzak.


...and then the hipster waxes his mustache.
Seen them last week on their current 2022 tour. I wholeheartedly recommend going - Kiedis' vocals have grown really solid, Flea's antics are hilarious (handstand-walking the whole length of the stage at 59 years old), Chad's an absolute drumming machine and Frusciante's live guitar magic is something that just has to be experienced in person. One of the best concerts I've ever seen. There's something special about the re-united 4 of them. 
HA! They gonna play this evening right behind my house! Pizza, beer and chill. 
 bahalana wrote:


Your mom obviously never taught you: "If you can't say something nice, STFU". 


I wasn't a RHCP fan until a friend insisted I accompany her to see them live.  Wow did they put on such a powerful performance!
My first and last stolen CD from a store. Ah, good old times. 
 jmsmy wrote:

take some lyric writing lesions from Jackson Browne or Don Henley



Your mom obviously never taught you: "If you can't say something nice, STFU". 
take some lyric writing lesions from Jackson Browne or Don Henley
 dylan46 wrote:
R H C P What a drag !!
Then hit the "skip Button", moron!   And, shut up!
 dylan46 wrote:
R H C P What a drag !!
 

As you're writing a comment here obviously you're listening on the web site.  Just pretend this is a CD and click the next button.  It's that simple and not putting out a negative opinion that not everyone will share.  This is the freedom you've been provided.  Unless you can find a radio station that only plays songs that you approve of, then head over there.
 dylan46 wrote:
R H C P What a drag !!  what a drag YOU'RE a drag!!!!   LOVE love love the Chili's!!!!  This song absolutely rocks!!!!  Carry on Bill!!!
 

R H C P What a drag !!
 iamlfb wrote:
Originally Posted by dave22: absolute rubbish
absolute rubbish
 

as all the rest of their pruduction !
Nice segue from the Peter Green song. My brain had already made the segue. :)
It's not just that this song sucks, which it does.  It's that this is supposed to be some hot Funk Punk band and this is middle of the road dreck.
Mother's Milk was the last album worth anything.  Since then, Muzak.
mike > anthony
I was never a RHCP fan. Some of it was junk to me but this song has some clever and thoughtful rhyme. 
Chili Peppers were kind of fun in the 90s, but their songs are tired, and I can't believe they're still getting so much play. PSD.
I don't like this band that much, and I think this song blows. However, there are 14 other cuts on this release that I would like to hear in lieu of this tripe.
Clever, Bill. I get the Peter Green riff.
States I'm In -> Californication. I see what you did there, Bill.
 dig wrote:
What is it about this song that annoys the F outta me. 3>2.

 
It's dull and Kiedas can't carry a tune just for starters.  I thought these guys were supposed to be a high energy, mofo party band.  Sheesh
Still skipping
Way way way too burned out on anything from this group. Please go back to the 90s, and stay there.
I LOVE IT!!

Thanks for playin'


still skipping
What is it about this song that annoys the F outta me. 3>2.
 Jota wrote:
That song has a skip in it.  Time to download a decent copy.

 
Still skipping today.
 Jota wrote:
That song has a skip in it.  Time to download a decent copy.

 
True, I can confirm that too.
Headache-inducing tripe. Where's the skip function again?
That song has a skip in it.  Time to download a decent copy.
ah the Chili's. they sound so dated now

When a band gets this much h8 (e.g. DMB, U2, GD, on RP), you just know they are EXCELLENT.   As is this song. 

...and Mr. Frusciante. 

I am very much looking forward to their new material and summer tour.
   First born as unicorn in vacation
became a hard core soft porn waging.
 +1 

kgage wrote:
Oh,yeah. These guys are terrible.

 


Oh,yeah. These guys are terrible.
 rwhardy wrote:
That "guitar solo" is about as bad as it gets. Just painful to listen to. 

 
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/john-frusciante-20111122
 justin4kick wrote:

Not everyone seems to hear that. But I´m with you. Posers that´s what they are.

 
Not at all. They played funk and hip hop when they started in '85, now they're more avant garde alternative with their last album in 2011. They're the furthest thing from posers.
That "guitar solo" is about as bad as it gets. Just painful to listen to. 
 justin4kick wrote:

Not everyone seems to hear that. But I´m with you. Posers that´s what they are.

 
At least a couple of their hits sound pretty much the same. "We're short on money guys, let's do another one of those radio songs!". That sound gets on my nerves. Shame, cause I know these guys are extremely gifted.
 coolpeople_rule wrote:


You are so smart..

 
Correct...
 handyrae wrote:
Does every one of their songs sound the same, give or take a slight variation in tempo?

 
Not everyone seems to hear that. But I´m with you. Posers that´s what they are.
Anthony has a very warm, sexy voice and surrounds himself with the best; most excellent bass from Flea. Older work is much better than the newer, though Dani California is good. Nice, friendly people in person, too, creative and softer than you would think.
  blotto wrote:
Best Band ever.

 
fkn eh dude, I was just going to say the same thing.
No music here. Just noise. And over-produced bile collectively.
 westslope wrote:

Or if a bunch of Vermontonians set up organic yoghurt shops?

 
...responding to a post from 2005... drover's last post was 7 years ago, amid some health concerns IIRC. *sigh*
Would be a lot better if it was half as long and had twice the energy.
I lump these guys in the same category as U2-- and unlike many listeners here might, I don't necessarily mean that as a criticism.

One upon a time they were turning out really fun stuff unlike anything else on FM radio and then they graduated to turning out really generic stuff just like everything else on FM radio. Granted, I think they are (were?) better at it than, say, Maroon 5, Matchbox 20, etc. but there is most definitely something missing in their later work.

I suppose it's pretty tough to successfully blend lasting commercial success with edginess. You can only walk around with a gym sock on your junk for so long, you know? 
 westslope wrote:

Or if a bunch of Vermontonians set up organic yoghurt shops?

 
The term is Vermonter.  Sheesh.
 drover wrote:

Actually the word "Californication" existed long before RHCP thought of it. It's a word used in states near California that are experiencing an influx of erstwhile Californians who are getting the hell out but bringing with them the very same values that made California the basketcase they're fleeing from. A Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial said it best when they wrote (I'm paraphrasing here), "How would San Franciscans like it if a bunch of us Nevadans set up shop in Russian Hill and demanded the right to open up machine gun stores, casinos and brothels?"
 
Or if a bunch of Vermontonians set up organic yoghurt shops?
 handyrae wrote:
Does every one of their songs sound the same, give or take a slight variation in tempo?

 
Not to any who have ears.
Frusciante is a guitar god - songwriting and rythm division.

The Pepper's miss him dearly each time he leaves. 
Say what you will, they are definitely pioneers in their genre.  They're kind of a blend of Punk, Rock, Rap (before Rap).  I even like their lyrics.  My preacher loosely based a whole sermon on their song "Give It Away".
 handyrae wrote:
Does every one of their songs sound the same, give or take a slight variation in tempo?

 
No, they don't (have you heard their earlier material?), but it seems as if they have been headed in that direction for a while.
 handyrae wrote:
Does every one of their songs sound the same, give or take a slight variation in tempo?

 
No, they don't, but it seems as if they are headed in that direction.
 handyrae wrote:
Does every one of their songs sound the same, give or take a slight variation in tempo?

 
Hmmm.  There is something about this band that just turns me right off.  Not their ability, certainly, just the overall sound.
This is just stupid.
This flowed real nice from Mazzy Star - California.
There are clever puns and there are silly puns........This one has a record and a T.V. show.............whoda thunk it? 
 d48m02h1918 wrote:
Boring and stale.

What happened to the incredible sound of this band? {#Eh}

 
in a word, heroin

howsomever - they were still quite talented, and I think this song shows more actual, or a different kind of, writing ability than they displayed before...ymmv
 tdola2 wrote:
I agree - this is a hum-drum song based on a dumb pun.

I'll give it a 2-minus... 

 

You are so smart..
It''s not just a song...it's truth.
I saw a band called Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988 in Lawrence Kansas, with Fishbone and Thelonius Monster. It definitely wasn't this band.
Boring and stale.

What happened to the incredible sound of this band? {#Eh}
I agree - this is a hum-drum song based on a dumb pun.

I'll give it a 2-minus... 
I thought this was supposed to be one mofo, funk/rock party band.  Not on this song, that's for sure.
 handyrae wrote:
Does every one of their songs sound the same, give or take a slight variation in tempo?

 
Earlier stuff was much more diverse and hard core.  They got pop-y in the mid-90s. 
Best Band ever.
Does every one of their songs sound the same, give or take a slight variation in tempo?

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...

This is a mediocre bar band at best. I don't get it.
Well even if you like the song California haters are going to rate it low. I like it... I like calling all my old west coast friends Californicators

 

californication!......this guys "make the bridge"......- ** 7 **


I still love em...just finished "Scar Tissue"  A.K's autobiography...I recommend it...it's a no holds barred corker!
pierpod wrote:
Ideal pour un soir de mai
Am Am Am Am Pay your..... F F F Am Am Am Am F F F Chorus: Am Am F Am Am Am F C C G F Am C C G F Am
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication Grey Eye Glances - The Lost Coast One end of the state to the other...hmmm now all we need is a song about the high Sierras, the Mojave desert and the Central Valley
When did Tracey Chapman start singing for them?
hmmm first time I heard this I thought it was a tribute to Ms Minogue dream of Kylie Fornication? " I'll close the door on the way out"
rocco1207 wrote:
how many songs can you write about California? I agree - these guys used to be funky - what happened?
They just got old. It happens when you've been doing it for as long as they have. Why just last night (new years eve) I found myself playing Ann Murray covers for a ridiculous amount of money. Happens to the best of us; (I mean the rest of us).
shuttlecr wrote:
Rough crowd here...!!!
Nice song. Best song on the cd me think. 8
good band, aweful song. Most of thier newer work falls into this category. RobRyan wrote:
I give it a 2 because there are worse songs, I have to save the 1 rating for those.
qft
Pretty good song. Deserves at least a 6, don't you think?
I give it a 2 because there are worse songs, I have to save the 1 rating for those.
Rough crowd here...!!!
I hate this band, but this is one of two songs of theirs that I like. Overplayed, but better this than any of their other trash.
Decent song. Dumb pun.
Hate this. Acknowledge, move on.
The only band that I rate so low- Bill, please save me from this tone imparied mush
It gets a 2 for being another attempt at melody by one of the most tone deaf (if instrumentally skilled) bands in the history of rock. then it loses a point for being horribly overplayed. Sorry.
FilmSurgeon wrote:
What happened to these guys? They used to rock. Bring back the punkfunk!
Totally agree. I think they are the only band with two "ones" from me. These "ballads" always make me long for "Organic anti-beat box band" (you just might slam. Dance that is)"
love that bass line! thanks flea!
how many songs can you write about California? I agree - these guys used to be funky - what happened?
Love these guys!
FilmSurgeon wrote:
What happened to these guys? They used to rock. Bring back the punkfunk!
I don't really care for the direction RHCP took after Blood Sugar Sex Magik and haven't bought an album of theirs in over 10 years. But let's be realisitic -- you can only do the same approximate thing for so many albums before your act gets stale. At some point it's time for a band that does not intend to self-destruct to set a new path. andesitic wrote:
come up with a really poor play on words (pun) add a mellow beat and people will eat it up. Not me, I am dieting.
Actually the word "Californication" existed long before RHCP thought of it. It's a word used in states near California that are experiencing an influx of erstwhile Californians who are getting the hell out but bringing with them the very same values that made California the basketcase they're fleeing from. A Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial said it best when they wrote (I'm paraphrasing here), "How would San Franciscans like it if a bunch of us Nevadans set up shop in Russian Hill and demanded the right to open up machine gun stores, casinos and brothels?"
FilmSurgeon wrote:
What happened to these guys? They used to rock. Bring back the punkfunk!
Agree. Bloodsugarsexmagik rocked. It's been downhill from there.
masterhead wrote:
That is why you rated Samba pati a 1 and Don't give up a 3, right? I pity you and your little boring world...
what, no cracks about the music I did like? maybe not as convenient. that I don't like the same music you like does not make my world either little or boring. good troll, though.
Chilis are great---love this song. thanks for including it...somebody please upload "Cabron" to the playlist-- and yes, phenominal video.
What happened to these guys? They used to rock. Bring back the punkfunk!
Always been one of my fav Chilis songs from my personal fav Chilis album. I'm really quite surprised at the negative comments here, seeing as I'm one of those fans who liked them after they went commercial. At the very least, I actually used this song to convert someone who previously hated RHCP because he hated "rap music". Now it's one of his fav songs. And might I also mention the kickass video that went with this song?
what a crock. - it's a horrible play on words anyway, and my mind goes numb wondering why RHCP would stoop to something like this. Isn't this the definition of "pop" music?? :P
ksb wrote:
...difference between Northern and Southern California. The border being just north of San Luis Obispo, ...
Ah, poor Slotown. Nobody wants it. But most locals would like to be considered northern California. Maybe we can draw that line at Santa Maria. Actually, the dividing line betw. Northern and Southern California, if they were to break into separate states, would probably run sort of north/south starting at Vandenburg and running up toward Mono Lake.
keemun wrote:
lord, but I despise this band. boring lyrics offering neither narrative nor insight, just junior high school students happy they could make words rhyme. music that's obnoxious for its own sake in an attempt to be "edgy". I wish they'd retire and go live out in the country making pottery. it might be as ugly as their music, but at least I wouldn't have to listen to it.
That is why you rated Samba pati a 1 and Don't give up a 3, right? I pity you and your little boring world...
vvaffle wrote:
I have to say that I'm a bit suprised that the rating for this song is so low. I agree that they are nothing special, but that doesn't mean that they are not nice to listen to. Either way, I think sometimes people vote a 1 or 10 rating in order to bring the song to a rating they think is right instead of just voting for what they actually think the song deserves. I say this because I don't believe that ANY song on RP deserves a 1 rating (well maybe a few do).
It doesn't make any sense to rate a song highest or lowest "just" to change the average if it is rated by more than 100 people or so.