Around the World

"Around the World" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is a vibrant celebration of life, travel, and the diverse experiences the world has to offer. Lyrically, the song is a collection of vignettes from Anthony Kiedis' travels, reflecting the band's nomadic lifestyle and their interactions with different cultures. The overarching theme is one of optimistic discovery, encapsulated in the recurring line, "I know, I know for sure, that life is beautiful around the world." This reflects a profound appreciation for the beauty and joy that can be found in every corner of the globe. The song also touches on themes of love and connection, often in fleeting, memorable encounters. The lyrics suggest a readiness to embrace new relationships and experiences with an open heart, as seen in the line, "You say 'Hello' and then I say 'I do'". It's about finding love and beauty in the moment, wherever you may be.

The song is a whirlwind tour of experiences and observations from a life lived on the road. The narrator, a self-proclaimed entertainer, kicks things off with a high-energy declaration of his prime, ready to stomp and romp across the globe. He gives a shout-out to his northern origins and his dedication to his craft, specifically mentioning Pennsylvania. There's a playful warning about the captivating women of California, followed by an immediate infatuation with a girl in Alabama, expressing a wish to have known her. The core message of the song is a resounding affirmation that life is beautiful everywhere. This sentiment is intertwined with the idea of immediate and profound connection, where a simple 'hello' can lead to a commitment as deep as 'I do.'

The journey continues with recollections of travels to faraway places like Bombay, highlighting a transient lifestyle lived out of a suitcase. The narrator's romantic encounters are as varied as the locations, from a 'fox hole love' to intimate moments in the woods of Wisconsin and by a lake in a manner reminiscent of Sicily. These vignettes reinforce the central theme of finding beauty and connection in diverse corners of the world. The chorus repeats its optimistic mantra, solidifying the idea that the world is a place of wonder and that meaningful connections can be found anywhere.

A shift occurs in the bridge, where the narrator directly addresses a companion, inviting them on this journey of discovery. The questions 'Where you want to go, who you want to be, what you want to do?' are an open invitation to embrace freedom and possibility. The imagery of seeing God and fountains while sitting in the Swiss mountains with this person elevates the experience to a spiritual level. This section emphasizes a feeling of being 'freer than a bird,' particularly in Ohio with a friend named Guy O. The song concludes with a sense of duty to appreciate this beautiful life, even suggesting taking a wife as a testament to it. The final chorus features a unique scatting vocal, a remnant of the song's creative process, adding a raw and joyful energy. A final lyrical nod is given to 'Mother Russia,' expressing a belief in its strength and having witnessed its love, bringing the global journey to a close with a final, heartfelt 'I do.'

"Around the World" was written and recorded for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' seventh studio album, Californication, which was released in 1999. The album marked the return of guitarist John Frusciante, and his creative input was crucial to the band's revitalized sound. The music for the song originated from a riff Frusciante created at his home. He felt it was essential to play it with the band to get the timing right, and Chad Smith provided the beat on his hi-hat while Frusciante played, leading to the song's development. Anthony Kiedis has stated that the lyrics were inspired by his travels and the extreme lifestyle that comes with being in the band. He also cited Roberto Benigni's film Life Is Beautiful as a lyrical inspiration. An interesting anecdote about the song's creation involves Flea's daughter. While the band was writing the album, Kiedis was struggling with lyrics for some songs and used scatting as a placeholder. When Flea's daughter heard the final version of "Around the World" without the scatting, she was disappointed. As a result, the band decided to include Kiedis's original scat vocals in the final chorus of the song. The song was recorded at Cello Studios in Los Angeles, California, between December 1998 and March 1999, with Rick Rubin as the producer.

The lyrics of "Around the World" are more of a direct travelogue than a piece rich in deep symbolism and metaphors. However, some elements can be interpreted metaphorically. The constant movement and geographical references symbolize a life of freedom, exploration, and a rejection of a sedentary existence. The phrase "living in and out of a big fat suitcase" is a literal description of a touring musician's life but also metaphorically represents a transient and unrooted existence. The line "You say 'Hello' and then I say 'I do'" can be seen as a metaphor for a profound and immediate connection with people and places, an openness to fully embracing new experiences without hesitation. The imagery of sitting in the Swiss mountains and seeing "God and I saw the fountains" can be interpreted as a moment of spiritual clarity and profound beauty found in nature and companionship.

The predominant emotional tone of "Around the World" is one of exhilaration, joy, and a sense of unbridled freedom. The song's fast tempo, energetic instrumentation, and Kiedis's enthusiastic vocal delivery all contribute to this upbeat and positive atmosphere. There is a strong sense of wanderlust and a celebration of a nomadic lifestyle, with the lyrics painting a picture of exciting travels and memorable encounters. The chorus, with its declaration that "life is beautiful around the world," injects a feeling of profound optimism and gratitude. While the verses have a raw and chaotic energy, the chorus provides moments of melodic clarity and emotional sincerity. The bridge, with its invitation to "come with me," fosters a sense of shared adventure and possibility. Overall, the song creates an emotional landscape of excitement, openness, and a deep appreciation for the diversity and beauty of the world.

"Around the World" was the second single from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' commercially successful album Californication (1999). The song was a significant rock radio hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 16 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The music video, directed by Stéphane Sednaoui, is known for its chaotic and visually unique style, which drew comparisons to his earlier work with the band on "Give It Away." The song has been featured in various media, including as the opening theme for the 2010 live-action film adaptation of Beck and as a heavily edited soundtrack for the Rockin' California Screamin' ride at Disney California Adventure. "Around the World" has remained a staple in the band's live performances, celebrated for its high energy. The track is considered a fan favorite and a key song from the Californication era, which marked a significant commercial and creative resurgence for the band.

The rhyme scheme in "Around the World" is somewhat irregular, characteristic of Anthony Kiedis's lyrical style, which often prioritizes rhythm and flow over strict rhyming patterns. There are instances of perfect rhymes, such as "whine" and "prime," and near rhymes like "Hallelujah" and "knew ya." The rhythmic structure of the song is dynamic and complex. The verses feature a rapid-fire, almost rap-like vocal delivery from Kiedis, which contrasts with the more melodic and sung chorus. The song has a fast tempo, with a BPM of around 114, contributing to its high-energy feel. Chad Smith's drumming is a key rhythmic element, with a driving and funky beat that underpins the entire track. The interplay between Flea's syncopated bassline and Smith's drumming creates a powerful and infectious groove.

Musically, "Around the World" is a prime example of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' signature funk rock style. The song is built around a powerful and intricate bassline by Flea, which is a hallmark of the band's sound. John Frusciante's guitar work is notable for its dynamic range, from the heavily distorted and energetic main riff to the more melodic and clean tones in the chorus. Chad Smith's drumming is powerful and drives the song forward with a strong, funky groove. Anthony Kiedis's vocal delivery is a blend of rapping in the verses and melodic singing in the chorus, a stylistic fusion that the band is known for. Lyrically, the song employs a stream-of-consciousness style, jumping between different locations and experiences, creating a collage of images from the road. There is also a notable use of scat singing in the final chorus, which adds a raw, improvisational feel. This was a result of Flea's daughter's fondness for the placeholder vocals Kiedis had used during the writing process.

What is the meaning behind the song 'Around the World' by Red Hot Chili Peppers?

The song is a celebration of travel, life experiences, and the beauty found in different cultures around the globe. Anthony Kiedis's lyrics are a reflection of the band's nomadic lifestyle and the memorable encounters they've had on tour, with an overarching theme of optimism and the joy of discovery.

When was 'Around the World' by Red Hot Chili Peppers released?

'Around the World' was released as a single on August 23, 1999. It is the opening track on their seventh studio album, Californication, which was released on June 8, 1999.

What is the story behind the scatting in the final chorus of 'Around the World'?

During the songwriting process, Anthony Kiedis used scatting as a placeholder for lyrics he hadn't written yet. Flea's daughter grew fond of the scat vocals and was disappointed when they were removed in a later version. At her request, the band decided to include the original scatting in the final recording of the song.

Who directed the music video for 'Around the World'?

The music video for 'Around the World' was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui, who also directed the videos for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' songs 'Breaking the Girl,' 'Scar Tissue,' and 'Give It Away.'

What genre of music is 'Around the World'?

'Around the World' is primarily categorized as funk rock and alternative rock, blending elements of funk metal. This genre fusion is a signature of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' sound.

What album is 'Around the World' on?

'Around the World' is the opening track on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' seventh studio album, 'Californication', released in 1999.

What are some of the locations mentioned in 'Around the World'?

The lyrics of 'Around the World' reference several places, including Pennsylvania, California, Alabama, Bombay (now Mumbai), Wisconsin, Sicily, the Swiss mountains, and Ohio, reflecting the song's theme of global travel.