Under the Bridge
by Red Hot Chili Peppers
What is “Under the Bridge” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
In 'Under the Bridge,' the singer reflects on feelings of loneliness and isolation, recounting a place in the city that represents personal despair but also a stark reminder of where he once sought solace.
So… what’s this song really about?
The song 'Under the Bridge' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers serves as an emotional journey through frontman Anthony Kiedis's experiences with alienation and his struggles with addiction. The lyrics poignantly discuss his sense of disconnection from the world around him, particularly emphasizing a physical location in Los Angeles where he felt both pain and a paradoxical sense of belonging. This bridge, both a literal and metaphorical place, represents a refuge from his loneliness, yet also a site of self-destruction. The recurring theme of seeking a 'place I love' not only addresses the need for physical spaces where we feel safe but also highlights human vulnerabilities and the need for emotional anchorage in a turbulent world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What inspired the lyrics of 'Under the Bridge'?
The lyrics were inspired by Anthony Kiedis’s feelings of loneliness and alienation, and recount a time when he felt disconnected from his bandmates and others around him.
Q: What does the 'bridge downtown' symbolize in the song?
In the song, the 'bridge downtown' symbolizes a place of both pain and refuge where the singer used to find solace during his struggles with addiction.
Lyrics to “Under the Bridge”
99 ContributorsTranslations
[Chorus]
I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way
[Bridge]
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, no, no, no, yeah, yeah
Love me, I say, yeah, yeah
(One time)
[Outro]
(Under the bridge downtown)
Is where I drew some blood
(Under the bridge downtown)
I could not get enough
(Under the bridge downtown)
Forgot about my love
(Under the bridge downtown)
I gave my life away, yeah
Yeah, yeah
(Away)
Oh, no, no no no, yeah yeah
(Away)
Oh no, I said, yeah yeah
(Away)
Where I'll stay