TOP 10: Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs

Monday , 15 Aug 2011

With the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album just around the corner I thought it might be a good time to have a look back at their past successes in the form of a Top 10 Chilis songs.

10. Sikamikanico

Originally a B-side to 'Under the Bridge', this song was also featured in the movie Waynes World. One of the more aggressive Chilis songs with some punk influences coming into play.

9. Californication

With the return of John Frusciante on guitar for their 7th album, Californication came a stylistic change which can be heard in the albums title track. Jangly guitars, slower tempo and harmonized vocals show John’s influence here, I can’t believe this came out 12 years ago!

8. Storm in a Teacup

One of the better tracks off the double disk Stadium Arcadium. The album had a lot of slow to mid tempo tracks so this up-tempo Chilis rocker really stood out for me and is a bit of a throwback to their older sound.

7. My Friends

Though the album One Hot Minute may not have been their best moment it still produced this delicate gem of a song.

6. Midnight

Their 8th album By The Way had a lot of great tracks but I just can’t go past this one.

5. Suck My Kiss

'Suck my Kiss' from Blood Sugar Sex Magik is trademark Chilis. Thumping bass and guitar with more than a few sexual innuendos from Anthony Keidis make this a classic Chilis song

4. Scar Tissue

'Scar Tissue' signified the return of the Chilis in 1999, 8 years after Blood Sex Magik. It was also the return to their signature sound, albeit a bit more mellow, after the Dave Navarro influenced One Hot Minute in 1995. It was the first single from Californication and would go on to win the Grammy for Best Rock Song in 2000.

3. Dani California

This is a great upbeat rock song from the Chilis and tells the story of Dani, who was first mentioned in the song ‘Californication’ as well as the ‘By the Way’. This track eventually ends with her death in the form of a man ‘gunnin’ from North Dakota.

2. Under the Bridge

How can you have a list without this one. It may well be the most well known Chilis song of all time if not on of the most well known rock songs of all time. If you play the guitar you’ve probably learnt the riff to this one already. 'Under the Bridge' is one of the more serious and poetic songs from the Chilis and one that came close to never seeing the light of day. It was not until Blood Sugar Sex Magik producer Rick Rubin found a poem written by Anthony Keidis called ‘Under the Bridge’ that it came to light. Originally considered by Keidis to be too emotional for the band, it was read out loud and quickly turned into the song we know today.

1. Give it Away

This song sums up the Chilis in 4 minutes 33 seconds with original punchy lyrics, great guitar riff accompanied by a funky Flea bassline. If you don’t like this song you don’t like the Chili Peppers!