Californication

About this song

The band nearly scrapped the song because they could not find music to match Anthony Kiedis' lyrics. Kiedis encouraged John Frusciante to keep working on it, and a sparse riff that came out of a few weeks of jamming became the song's new basis. It was one of the band's biggest hits, reaching #69 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Modern and Mainstream Rock charts.

What it's about

The song is about the dark side of Hollywood hidden beneath its glossy surface. It reflects the band's firsthand view of how the Hollywood lifestyle affects the people who live there and the wider world, even though they still love Los Angeles.

Fun facts

• It's actually a cover of “S”.
• Sampled in 22 other songs, like “Yendo a Californication by Degenerate”.
• Covered 10 times, including “Californication by First to Eleven”.
• Written by Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante and Chad Smith.
• Produced by Rick Rubin.