#redhotchilipeppers #reaction Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication REACTION! REVISITING This is kinda CREEPY Join this channel to get access to perks: / @blackpegasusraps
I actually really like this comment section because the conversation created from our reaction. We could have just got on here and said this song sounds amazing cause it does but our choice to analyze the lyrics created a great dialogue..
Love that Ren learnt much of his guitar from slowing John Frusciante down. Was too into rave, rap and indie bands going dance, to really love this in 92?
Your early conversation reminded me of how my brother & his wife would go to bars & see Sammy Hagar play. Happened all the time with bands & singers before they blew up back in the day.
Bro these are my favourite reactions you guys do, when the conversation gets "dark". This is why I started to watch your channel. More of this stuff please, it's so fun! You guys said you want ideas for original content, do more of this.
It's an introspective song. According to an article by American Songwriter: “Californication” is a song about the underbelly of American society. There’s deceit, plasticity, and desperation under the gilded face of the American Dream. The Red Hot Chili Peppers saw that California represented these extremes-both the elaborate gilded nature of it all and the darkness underneath. In essence, it’s a song about the rot that lies just underneath the surface. Putting pen to paper, The RHCP presents this message through a string of clever allusions and metaphors about the "Dream of Californication". As for me, I totally love this song and love RHCP
The "first born unicorn" reference alludes to `The Killing of the Unicorn: Dorothy Stratten, 1960-1980' by Peter Bogdanovich, detailing a tragic life and death of a young girl around the Hollywood porn movie scene
Unicorn polyamory (aka unicorn poly) is the term for when two people who are in a relationship (typically a heterosexual couple of one man and one woman) add a third party to the relationship. This partner is usually a bisexual woman, though they could also be a bisexual man or a nonbinary person.
One day in the distant future Anthony will finally get credit for his lyrics. These boys aren't four dumbass.. Throw in the life they have lived and street smart from surviving LA's streets and they bring a lot of life and knowledge to the table. Mix in artistic talent and that's why there is no other band like them. Nobody close to their sound.
Facts bro. Especially his lyrics, like Anthony grew up w his dad doing hardcore drugs but also his dad had a huge book collection including top literature and poetry that Anthony would rummage thru as a kid, so he’d get high sometimes and be reading which is nuts
@@teknikel Nothing like that. The film industry has shifted into having actors from more walks of life, but at the time, "Swedish Super Model" was still a phrase most people would associate with glamorous lifestyles. That line would never be about Greta, because it's about fame and glamour, not activism.
I don't know if the dark side of Hollywood is the stuff of conspiracy. It's been pretty well known long before people tried to turn it into a political talking point. Plenty of people in that industry ranging from right to left participated. Absolute power corrupts...absolutely.
The great thing is that they were a HUGE band, huge numbers, big in Hollywood, which means they likely knew a lot of Hollywoods secrets personally, which makes their words and theories more believable than the random people who talk about it on the internet today that have never actually been in the Hollywood industry.
seeing the hidden meanings in this song is a beginners guide to seeking the real truths out there. in all media and pop culture there are hidden meanings exposing truths kept hidden. cries for help and in a mocking way too. may be freaky but the truth is always scarier than fiction. do not be afraid for the truth shall set you free
I think the song is just talking about a lot of stuff that was in the news at the time, but nothing changes so of course the same things are always happening… That timeless nature of the lyrics is part of what make the song a classic.
Around 1987 I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers playing outside a club on mud island in Memphis TN. They were still like an underground band making their own tapes and selling tapes during their sets.
I saw them in a garage/warehouse in Sacramento that year. That was when they would show up on stage wearing only a strategically placed sock. I think they did plungers once.
The line "space may be the final frontier but it's made in a Hollywood basement" has nothing to do with the moon landing, bros. It's a reference to Star Trek -- in the opening monologue to every Star Trek episode, the captain says "space, the final frontier." The "Hollywood basement" part is a reference to the fact that our beloved sci fi shows and movies are after all made in Hollywood and not space. It's basically playing into the theme of the song that everything in Hollywood is fake on some level.
Kubrick definitely filmed the moon landings. He was a perfectionist, so he did it on location. The Hollywood basement is just where the editing took place.
personally I think they only say that it is about "Star Treck" because obviously if they straight up say it was about the f@k3 m00n l@nd1ng (f1lm3d in a h011yw00d b@s3m3nt) then CIA is gonna be up their ass.
Re the content: They started out as a self-published punk band. I think they are talking about the pressure the studios put on artists to sell a certain dream. Conspiracy theories are popular now. They weren't then. Pointed social commentary is very punk. Also, they write their own songs.
If you read Anthony’s book you realize he’s more of a poet that writes it all in his little book and his band mates turn it into songs if he agrees to it. Some are too personal and never make it into songs and some he needs convincing but that’s what makes them all so special, they are so real and raw and beautiful and they actually say something.😊
The guitar on this song and a couple others on this disc is some of the saddest, loneliest, and most beautiful riffs I've ever heard . Give it up to Johnny frush . The peppers gave Cobain a shout out up above towards the end. Nice classy gesture
Its easier just to copy and past then try an put it into my own words, so here. "Californication" is a term that originated in the 1970s and refers to the influx of Californians into various western states in the US. It is a portmanteau of "California" and "fornication." The term was primarily used to describe the haphazard and mindless development of land in Southern California, which some attributed to an influx of Californians to other states in the Western United States. The term has been seen on bumper stickers in the US states of Idaho, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Texas As for the song, the song is mainly about the underbelly of American society, including deceit, plasticity, and desperation under the gilded face of the American Dream. This is a really cool video on the song and making of the video and some general info on the band, well worth the watch if you are a RHCP fan. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZSviZnbAv8M.html
Thanks for saving me from explaining the 70's term. I experienced it personally when I followed a crew of young Californians up to northern Idaho in the late 70's and started hearing that "clever" new word. The natives up there were not too enthused about the influx, but it wasn't terrible either. The small town I lived in loved the new Cali/Mexican restaurant where I washed dishes and they flocked there from miles around for the good food !
The first time I was aware of the term “Californication” was in Seattle in the late ‘80s. At the time it seemed like people in Seattle mostly lived in one-story wood frame houses, but a lot of Californians were moving there, they were building apartments for them, and rents were skyrocketing to where native Seattle people were being priced out. People had bumper stickers saying “Don’t Californicate us!” Now you see stickers and T-shirts in Texas.
People started moving TO California in the 1950s. The population tripled. So it got expensive and people started moving out. What you refer to as "Californication" happened to California in the 1970s and 1980s.
I always thought it meant that the world is being remade in the image of California. That eventually what happens there spreads east across the country. The Cali version of gentrification
Red Hot Chili Peppers you need to listen to their lyrics. Like Midnight Oil or The Clash they are super good at driving in some hard facts and things. You don’t notice them unless you listen.
I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers, including this song. I lived in Los Angeles county for 30-years. You don't have to be part of that scene, although it will cross your path. Most people are not into the limelight thing. There are a lot of artistic types, but they're generally pretty interesting and down to earth. There are also weird things, but I've also lived in Dallas metro area and Atlanta metro area....and there was plenty of weirdness there too. They're just Baptist so they pretend it's not happening. That being said, I know a well known producer that does not allow his children to watch television at all, or participate in social media. So...???? Weird world we're all living in.
Knew people who were well meaning with their children this way, but it's a bad thing ...too sheltered is not a good thing. They won't know how to navigate the life and people they'll be exposed to...will be naive and vulnerable. Everything in moderation. You can learn from good choices on TV, etc...
“Born and raised by those who praise, control of population.” These lines highlight the influence of authority figures and the societal norms that shape individuals. “Born and raised” implies that people are molded from birth by the values and expectations of their environment. The phrase “those who praise” suggests that these influential figures uphold certain ideals or systems. The mention of “control of population” alludes to the idea that society often seeks to regulate and manage its citizens, whether through cultural norms, laws, or other means. Overall, this line reflects the impact of upbringing and societal conditioning on an individual’s perspective and behavior. “Everybody’s been there and I don’t mean on vacation.” Here, the song contrasts the typical understanding of the phrase “been there” (usually associated with travel experiences) with a deeper, metaphorical meaning. The reference is not to a physical place but rather to a mental or emotional state. The implication is that everyone has encountered situations or mindsets related to control, influence, and societal pressures. By stating “and I don’t mean on vacation,” the lyrics emphasize that this experience is not a pleasant escape but rather an intrinsic part of life.
They tell you what’s going on through the songwriting of MK Ultra slaves. Kathy O’Brien speaks about this thoroughly throughout her mind reclamation memoirs.
@markbalogh9655 MK Ultra is a mind control experiment where the government uses celebrities, like famous actors & musicians to distract and brainwash the public. They also put the truth right in front of us through music & movies. TV is television (Tell-A-Vision). They show u what they're going to do first... their is a lot of symbolism and truths put in music videos and movies.
The song is about the dark side of the dream of fame and fortune that Hollywood sells, and the true cost of selling your soul to achieve it. People grasp for the illusion of health, wealth and fame, but the flip side is mind control, superficiality, sickness, pain and death. The line about Kurt Cobain is pithy, and the repeating chorus "firstborn unicorn, hardcore soft porn" refers to a murder case, though my details are sketchy on that. The line "Sicker than the rest, there is no test, but is this what you're craving" could be referring to AIDS, but that's just my guess. It's very deep, and sad, but still my favourite RHCP song. The line "celebrity skin, is this your chin, or is that war you're waging" always makes me smile, as do the Star Trek and Star Wars references. Btw that verse had nothing to do with the Moon landing. "Space, the final frontier" was the first line of the intro to Star Trek. "Station to Station" was a David Bowie album from his Ziggy Stardust period, wirh many space themed songs; Cobain was a big fan of his. Alderaan was Princess Leia's home planet in Star Wars, in a "galaxy far, far away". And ironically, they did get a star on the Boulevard! 😊
personally I don't think it's a reference to "star trek", they only say it this way because if they straight up say it's about the fake moon landing filmed in a hollywood basement then the CIA is gonna be up their @33.
Little girl from Sweden dreams of Hollywood vocation- Ann-Margret reference. What Hollywood does to you. I had an aunt who was a model in the 50s and movie people offered her stuff- for a price.
Something that you would experience as a 'dream' is a 'nightmare' to someone else... It's the whole "grass is always greener" adage..... but everything has a price; the only question is: Are you willing to pay that price? The moment you are born you are indebted to the Universe; you do what you can to repay that debt and be worthy of the carbon you are constructed of... Sometimes people try to "jump ahead" and be more than they're capable of, and get trapped into a lifestyle that may inflate the bank account, but diminishes their initial inherent innocence..... Keep on keepin' on, brother-- And as always, Blessed Be, & Peace! 🙏☮
Like your dad, I got to see them in the early days at an off campus bar., convention center, in Knoxville TN. Listen to all of the Chilli's and music with the lyrics. They're not just pretty party boys, it gets deep
"Californication” is a song about the underbelly of American society. There's deceit, plasticity, and desperation under the gilded face of the American Dream. The Red Hot Chili Peppers saw that California represented these extremes-both the elaborate gilded nature of it all and the darkness underneath.
It's funny I'm from germany and in the last time you were reacting to all my (all time) favorites. I have a little bit more for you - "Sisters of Mercy" - "This Corrosion" and "More" for example. I grew up with ICE-T, Public Enemy and RUN DMC on the one side and Queen, Metallica and INXS on the other side. So I had for every mood of a teenager the right music 😁😁.
man i can not belive these two guys skipped right over the part in the song where they say space my be the final frontier but its made in a Hollywood basement. there lot of truth in what they said about space in this song in real life.
Glad you found the secret of listening to chili peppers with subtitiles on. This isn't the only song like that. ok maybe i'm the only one who needs subs but this is one of those songs that played so much that it almost became background music. With subtitles I was like oh-ok.lol. One of the reasons that I love classic rock so much is because there are a lot of songs that are catchy and sound good, but when you actually listen to the lyrics. its like wow, they really said that
Eyes wide shut is a wild movie...but yeah hardly anyone actually heard all the lyrics back in the day lol, just recently a lot have realized just what they were saying
The song is NOT conspiracy driven. It simply discusses the seedy side of American life and society. That life is presented as rainbows and unicorns for us to buy more, spend more, do more while many go without. Conspiracy theorists are basically nuts! If you want to dig into anything you can find a way to make it about something that it isn't. The lyrics are deep, but deep in that it awakens us to the problems we have and not to get swept up in the glitter our society provides us to look the other way.
@NorbertnahumPlatzer Yes. - Aldaraan is a planet in Star Wars, a film produced by Lucasfilm founded in San Rafael, California, recently bought by Disney, also residing in California and kings of hiding rot and corruption under a thick veneer of fake perfection in their hellholes of theme parks which is LITERALLY THE MESSAGE OF THE SONG. - "Space, the final frontier" is literally the opening line to Star Trek...made on a Hollywood soundstage.... again about fake vs real - Asking Cobain if he could hear his former bandmate's band, The Foo Fighters, covering David Bowie's 'Station to Station', which is a song about the stations of the cross in Christianity and the searching for something other than spiritual void. I mean, this was less than 5 mins googling. I dunno what to tell ya.
Very intensive reaction! Very good. 😉I'm always a bit torn when thinking about things like this. Sometimes you get carried away. But the comments help to “stay on the carpet” a bit. However, there are a few things........😵💫🤔🤫🤐
I'm glad you caught that bro❤ because I wasn't sure you were going to catch it you know that we have a space force now now nothing mentioned about that before and by the way I tell your friend that all the run is real plan doesn't matter of fact it's a full star system so just when I thought you were going to drop the ball you you hit it keep going young brother keep going they're not making s*** up The government is but they're not😅😮
This song, along with MANY other peppers songs are much deeper than the catchy tune we heard on the radio. I figured some of this song out in high school and have been hooked on their music ever since. Not every lyric Anthony writes means something deep, but if you go through their catalog, you’ll find quite a few thought provoking songs.
I love me some RHCP. This song has been one of my favorites because of the blens of vocals and guitar. Lyrics have always been hella weird to me and after setting down and listening with you guys, i now wonder too if they weren't giving clues to something bigger.
What’s crazy is they’re doing everything right in front of our faces, hiding in plain sight and we aren’t paying close enough attention or even have the strength to do anything about it
This was so weird , i agree with what your thoughts are. Reflecting on this song after all these years of listening to it and enjoy it. Makes you stop and think about it for real. Interesting, very interesting! Great job guys.
The "fornication" part is pretty intentional, but it's more meant to represent....expansion, or a concept overtaking a local one. Pavel is right, "globalization" or "industrialization" are the secondary meaning for the title.
I think he genuinely is referencing Hollywood the entire time. When he says “everyone’s been there, but not on vacation” I interpret that as people coming to California chasing a dream of becoming a Hollywood star
I listened to this with my then-almost-adult sons years ago, and I had NO idea... The lyrics and references are amazing. I always liked RHCP, but now I have new respect!!
I went to welding school with a guy that used to play with “The Red Hot Chili 🌶️ Peppers” I don’t know why he moved to Oklahoma but by the end of the year I was in California in the Marine Corps at the end of the Gulf War. I returned to Oklahoma then Kansas my middle brother is still there. If he wants to see me he can go to the nearest town to me. I’m about 15 miles from two VERY small towns. I did tell my son go back to sleep don’t call me when an earthquake is below a 5.0. I was in 1992 Landers 7.3 earthquake. If you keep getting body work and facial surgery you eventually end up looking like Madonna
As far as I know they usually write by jamming together & then Anthony (vocalist) writes all the lyrics, or I think he's constantly writing poems, has a collection & he figures out where and when to fit them with which track the rest of the band came up with.
I member watching these guys live at 99 and when hearing this song now it brings be back. But it's crazy how much I seen this song and video in my day but never HEARD IT TILL TODAY
