Scar Tissue
Encyclopedia
"Scar Tissue" is the first single from the American
alternative rock
band Red Hot Chili Peppers'
seventh studio album Californication
, released in 1999. It is one of their most successful songs, spending a then-record 16 consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard
Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, as well as 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and reached #8 on Billboard Hot 100 Airplay. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100
. In the UK, the song reached #15 on the UK Singles Chart
. It won a Grammy Award
for Best Rock Song
in 2000. The song is notable for its mellow intro guitar riff and for its slide
guitar solos throughout. Guitar World
placed the guitar solo 63rd in its list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Solos".
"Scar Tissue" has been a live staple in the band's setlists since its first performace in 1998 making it the band's third most performed song ever behind only "Give It Away
" and "Under the Bridge
"
(in contrast to the psychedelic One Hot Minute
, and dry funk of Blood Sugar Sex Magik
).
The song is about Anthony Kiedis
and his battles with drugs, as well as the quarrels he had. "Sarcastic Mister know it all" was directed at Dave Navarro
, who he referred to as the "king of sarcasm". "Make it to the moon if I have to crawl" is a reference to his heroin addiction, which made him desperate to get high.
Kiedis told that "Scar Tissue" came to him in a precise moment when he heard the other band members play the music and he felt as if an exterior influx had succeeded in merging the melody and apparent words suddenly came to his unconscious mind.
John Frusciante has stated that the guitar playing on his first solo record inspired the song's technique of taking two notes that are far apart and playing them in a rhythm.
. Frusciante left the Peppers in 1992 because of a severe heroin addiction (which almost cost him his life in 1997), but he returned in 1998 to work together to make the album Californication. The theme of this song is often referred to as "life and resurrection". "Scar Tissue" is remarkably melodic, which contrasts with the earlier work of the Peppers. This was typical of the new style the band embraced since Californication.
. Co-written by Larry Sloman, it was an autobiography with the principal theme of sex, drugs and rock-'n-roll. In the song he talks about the consequences of drugs (especially heroin) and in which way this can destroy somebody's life.
for "Scar Tissue" was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui
, who also directed the video for "Give It Away".
The opening shot is of John Frusciante
driving, a metaphor for Frusciante's return to band (he does not drive in real life). But the four of them are battered, beaten and bandaged. They are traveling in a rusty wreck and playing broken instruments on the comeback trail. The video ends after an emotional thirty second Frusciante guitar solo at the moment of sunset, with John tossing the broken guitar from the car. The car Frusciante drove for the video was a 1967 Pontiac Catalina convertible. A very similar concept was considered, then scrapped, for the earlier "Soul to Squeeze
" video.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Red Hot Chili Peppers'
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is 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, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
seventh studio album Californication
Californication (album)
Californication is the seventh studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on June 8, 1999 on Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, Californication marked the return of John Frusciante, who had previously appeared on Mother's Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik, to replace...
, released in 1999. It is one of their most successful songs, spending a then-record 16 consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, as well as 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and reached #8 on Billboard Hot 100 Airplay. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. In the UK, the song reached #15 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. It won a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Rock Song
Grammy Award for Best Rock Song
The Grammy Award for Best Rock Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs in the rock music genre...
in 2000. The song is notable for its mellow intro guitar riff and for its slide
Slide guitar
Slide guitar or bottleneck guitar is a particular method or technique for playing the guitar. The term slide refers to the motion of the slide against the strings, while bottleneck refers to the original material of choice for such slides: the necks of glass bottles...
guitar solos throughout. Guitar World
Guitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
placed the guitar solo 63rd in its list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Solos".
"Scar Tissue" has been a live staple in the band's setlists since its first performace in 1998 making it the band's third most performed song ever behind only "Give It Away
Give It Away
"Give It Away" is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was released in September 1991 as the lead single from the group's fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The music was written by guitarist John Frusciante and bassist Flea during a jam session months prior to the...
" and "Under the Bridge
Under the Bridge
"Under the Bridge" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on March 10, 1992 as the second single from the group's fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the lyrics to express a feeling of loneliness and despondency, and to reflect on...
"
Meaning
"Scar Tissue" is considered to be representative of the new, more melodic rock sound the band experimented with on CalifornicationCalifornication (album)
Californication is the seventh studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on June 8, 1999 on Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, Californication marked the return of John Frusciante, who had previously appeared on Mother's Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik, to replace...
(in contrast to the psychedelic One Hot Minute
One Hot Minute
One Hot Minute is the sixth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 12, 1995, on Warner Bros. Records...
, and dry funk of Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Rick Rubin, it was the band's first record released on Warner Bros. Records...
).
The song is about Anthony Kiedis
Anthony Kiedis
Anthony Kiedis is an American vocalist/lyricist, and occasional actor best known as the lead vocalist of the Grammy-winning American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kiedis spent his youth in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his mother before moving, shortly before his 12th birthday, to Hollywood,...
and his battles with drugs, as well as the quarrels he had. "Sarcastic Mister know it all" was directed at Dave Navarro
Dave Navarro
David Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
, who he referred to as the "king of sarcasm". "Make it to the moon if I have to crawl" is a reference to his heroin addiction, which made him desperate to get high.
Kiedis told that "Scar Tissue" came to him in a precise moment when he heard the other band members play the music and he felt as if an exterior influx had succeeded in merging the melody and apparent words suddenly came to his unconscious mind.
John Frusciante has stated that the guitar playing on his first solo record inspired the song's technique of taking two notes that are far apart and playing them in a rhythm.
Song
"Scar Tissue" was written by Anthony Kiedis, probably because of the return of guitar player John FruscianteJohn Frusciante
John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, record and film producer. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom he had been for a number of years and recorded five studio albums...
. Frusciante left the Peppers in 1992 because of a severe heroin addiction (which almost cost him his life in 1997), but he returned in 1998 to work together to make the album Californication. The theme of this song is often referred to as "life and resurrection". "Scar Tissue" is remarkably melodic, which contrasts with the earlier work of the Peppers. This was typical of the new style the band embraced since Californication.
Book
In 2004 Anthony Kiedis published Scar TissueScar Tissue (book)
Scar Tissue is the autobiography of Red Hot Chili Peppers vocalist Anthony Kiedis. It was released in 2004 by Hyperion and authored by Kiedis with Larry Sloman, who compiled information and interviewed various parties associated with the plot line. The story follows Kiedis from his birth in 1962 to...
. Co-written by Larry Sloman, it was an autobiography with the principal theme of sex, drugs and rock-'n-roll. In the song he talks about the consequences of drugs (especially heroin) and in which way this can destroy somebody's life.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Scar Tissue" was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui
Stéphane Sednaoui
Stéphane Sednaoui is a French-American photographer, director and producer whose work includes music videos, art projects, photographic essays, portrait photography, fashion photography and photojournalism....
, who also directed the video for "Give It Away".
The opening shot is of John Frusciante
John Frusciante
John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, record and film producer. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom he had been for a number of years and recorded five studio albums...
driving, a metaphor for Frusciante's return to band (he does not drive in real life). But the four of them are battered, beaten and bandaged. They are traveling in a rusty wreck and playing broken instruments on the comeback trail. The video ends after an emotional thirty second Frusciante guitar solo at the moment of sunset, with John tossing the broken guitar from the car. The car Frusciante drove for the video was a 1967 Pontiac Catalina convertible. A very similar concept was considered, then scrapped, for the earlier "Soul to Squeeze
Soul to Squeeze
"Soul to Squeeze" is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers that was originally recorded during the production of their fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik...
" video.
CD single (1999)
- "Scar Tissue" (album) – 3:37
- "Gong Li" (unreleased) – 3:42
- "Instrumental #1" (unreleased) – 2:48
CD single (Slipcase) (1999)
- "Scar Tissue" (album) – 3:37
- "Gong Li" (unreleased) – 3:42
Peak positions
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
15 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
9 |
| Canadian RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... Singles Chart |
4 |
| Canadian RPM Rock Report Canadian rock/alternative chart The Canadian rock/alternative chart was first published on June 11, 1995 by RPM magazine under the name Alternative 30. The song which held the number-one spot on this first chart was "More Human than Human" by White Zombie... |
1 |
| Dutch Singles Chart Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
38 |
| Finnish Singles Chart | 16 |
| French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
66 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
75 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
16 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
3 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
15 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
9 |
| US Billboard Adult Top 40 | 11 |
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock | 1 |
| US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 1 |
| US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs) The Mainstream Top 40 is an airplay chart from Billboard magazine, and is also known as Pop Songs on billboard.com. It was often mistaken for and confused with the now discontinued Pop 100 Airplay chart... |
12 |
| VH1 Top 10 Video Countdown | 3 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1999) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 34 |
| Canadian RPM Singles Chart | 40 |
| Canadian RPM Rock Chart | 1 |
See also
- List of number-one mainstream rock hits (United States)
- Number one modern rock hits of 1999Number one modern rock hits of 1999These are the Billboard magazine Modern Rock Tracks number one hits of 1999....
- List of RPM Rock/Alternative number-one singles