Give It Away

About this song

"Give It Away" was the lead single from Blood Sugar Sex Magik, the fifth studio album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and their first with Warner Bros Records and producer Rick Rubin. The music was written by John Frusciante and Flea during a jam session months before the album recording sessions. Several radio stations initially refused to play it because they felt it lacked melody, but it went on to reach number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in late 1991, the band's first number one single. It also became their first top ten hit in the UK, peaking at number nine, and its music video, directed by Stéphane Sednaoui, received heavy rotation on MTV. The song later won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocals in 1992.

What it's about

Anthony Kiedis wrote the song's main refrain in response to an experience he shared with former girlfriend Nina Hagen about altruistic behavior and the value of selflessness.

Fun facts

• Samples “Sweet Leaf by Black Sabbath”.
• Sampled in 4 other songs, like “Daft Meme (Technologic) by Duuzu”.
• Covered 4 times, including “Give It Away (Metal Version) by Leo Moracchioli”.
• Written by Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante and Chad Smith.
• Produced by Rick Rubin.