Give It Away

Red Hot Chili Peppers

About Give It Away

"Give It Away" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers from the group's fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. It was released as the lead single from their album on September 4, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. The music was written by guitarist John Frusciante and bassist Flea during a jam session months prior to the album recording sessions. Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the song's most prevalent lyrical refrain in response to an experience he shared with former girlfriend Nina Hagen regarding altruistic behavior and the value of selflessness. "Give It Away" went on to achieve international fame, reaching number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks in late 1991, giving the band their first ever number one single. In 1992 the single charted inside the top 75 of the US Hot 100 in the wake of the huge success of the record's second single "Under the Bridge". "Give It Away" also became the band's first top ten hit in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart; this didn't occur until February 1994, nearly 2 and a half years after it was first released in the US. The accompanying music video, which was directed by French film-maker Stéphane Sednaoui, was put into heavy rotation on music-television stations such as MTV and added to the band's success. Since its release, "Give It Away" has gone on to receive numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for the Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocals in 1992. Steve Huey of AllMusic noted that while the single "didn't achieve the massive pop success of its follow-up, 'Under the Bridge' [...] it did become one of the band's most instantly recognizable songs." 


Year:
1998
159 
#1

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What I've got you've got to give it to your mama
What I've got you've got to give it to your pappa
What I've got you've got to give it to your daughter
You do a little dance and then you drink a little water

What I've got you've got to get it put it in you
What I've got you've got to get it put it in you
What I've got you've got to get it put it in you
Reeling with the feeling don't stop continue

Realize I don't want to be a miser
Confide with sly you'll be the wiser
Young blood is the lovin' upriser
How come everybody want to keep it like the kaiser

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now

I can't tell if I'm a kingpin or a pauper
Greedy little people in a sea of distress
Keep your more to receive your less
Unimpressed by material excess
Love is free love me say hell yes

I'm a low brow but I rock a little know how
No time for the piggies or the hoosegow
Get smart get down with the pow wow
Never been a better time than right now

Bob Marley poet and a prophet
Bob Marley taught me how to off it
Bob Marley walkin' like he talk it
Goodness me can't you see I'm gonna cough it

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now

Lucky me swimmin' in my ability
Dancin' down on life with agility
Come and drink it up from my fertility
Blessed with a bucket of lucky mobility

My mom I love her 'cause she love me
Long gone are the times when she scrub me
Feelin' good my brother gonna hug me
Drink my juice young love chug-a-lug me

There's a river born to be a giver
Keep you warm won't let you shiver
His heart is never gonna wither
Come on everybody time to deliver

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now

What I've got you've got to give it to your mama
What I've got you've got to give it to your pappa
What I've got you've got to give it to your daughter
You do a little dance and then you drink a little water

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Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk rock and psychedelic rock. Live, they incorporate many aspects of jam rock due to the improvised nature of much of their performances. Currently, the band consists of founding members Anthony Kiedis (vocals) and Michael "Flea" Balzary (bass), longtime drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, who joined in late 2009, following the departure of John Frusciante. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have won seven Grammy Awards and sold over 80 million albums worldwide. In 2012 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. more »

17 fans

Written by: Michael Balzary, John Anthony Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Give It Away" was written by all four members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers during a jam session.
Album Placement
The song is the third and final single from the band's fifth studio album, 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' which was released in 1991.
Chart Success
The song reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for two weeks.
Iconic Lyrics
The song's most famous line - "Give it away, give it away, give it away now" - is repetitive due to lead singer Anthony Kiedis' pressure to quickly come up with a lyric for recording.
Grammy Success
In 1992, "Give it Away" won a Grammy for the Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal and was nominated for Best Rock Song.
Music Video Recognition
The music video for the song was directed by French fashion photographer and director Stephane Sednaoui. The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction and was nominated for five other awards including Video of the Year.
Song Meaning
The song's message resonates with the idea of selflessness and the act of giving without expecting anything in return.
Performance Legacy
"Give It Away" has been performed at nearly every Red Hot Chili Peppers show since its release, making it one of the band's most played songs live.
Genre Blend
The song is a good example of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' signature funk rock sound, incorporating elements of rock, punk, and funk music.
Cultural Impact
Rolling Stone magazine listed "Give It Away" at number 297 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in 2004.

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    Give It Away

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1992

    Billboard #73


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