Soul to Squeeze
Encyclopedia
"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
(1991). Although it was not featured on the record—and compiled as a b-side to "Give It Away" and "Under the Bridge
"—"Soul to Squeeze" was later released as a single in 1993 to coincide with its inclusion on the Coneheads
film soundtrack.
The song became an unexpected success when it peaked at number one on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks, where it remained for 4 consecutive weeks making it only the second number one for the band following Give It Away
. The single also peaked at number twenty-two on the Hot 100
and number seven on the Mainstream Rock
chart.
"Soul to Squeeze" remains one of the band's most popular songs. It made it's live debut in 1998 when John Frusciante
returned to the band and has been performed on every tour since then.
and features Chad Smith
, Flea
and Kiedis in a stereotypical circus. The song, which plays amongst all the acts of the circus, includes "freaks" and "the Conehead", a reference to the film.
The music video was shot in black and white. Though John Frusciante does play guitar
on this song, he is not visibly featured in the video as he had left the band in 1992. Someone with his likeness is featured wearing a large black hat and can be seen at the end of the table in the video.
Originally, the video was supposed to feature the band playing spliced with footage from the film Coneheads
, but the band refused this idea; instead, a Conehead appears in the video as the circus's Human Cannonball. Another scrapped music video idea had the band playing in the desert after a car accident, somewhat like the video later made for their song, "Scar Tissue
". This version was meant to have a connection to the afterlife.
Chris Farley
makes an appearance in the music video.
CD version 2
CD version 3 (Card Cover)
CD version 4
7" Version (released as Jukebox)
Cassette single
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
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...
that was originally recorded during the production of their fifth studio album, 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...
(1991). Although it was not featured on the record—and compiled as a b-side to "Give It Away" 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...
"—"Soul to Squeeze" was later released as a single in 1993 to coincide with its inclusion on the Coneheads
Coneheads (film)
Coneheads is a 1993 film based on the Saturday Night Live sketches about the Coneheads. The film was directed by Steve Barron and produced by Lorne Michaels...
film soundtrack.
The song became an unexpected success when it peaked at number one on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks, where it remained for 4 consecutive weeks making it only the second number one for the band following 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...
. The single also peaked at number twenty-two on the 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...
and number seven on the Mainstream Rock
Mainstream rock
Mainstream rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations in the United States and Canada.-Format background:...
chart.
"Soul to Squeeze" remains one of the band's most popular songs. It made it's live debut in 1998 when 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...
returned to the band and has been performed on every tour since then.
Music video
The music video for "Soul to Squeeze" was directed by Kevin KerslakeKevin Kerslake
Kevin Kerslake is an American music video director. He has directed videos for Stone Temple Pilots, Filter, R.E.M., 311, Faith No More, Green Day, The Used, 10 Years, Depeche Mode, The Smashing Pumpkins, Papa Roach, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Rise Against, Insane Clown Posse, The Offspring, and Blue...
and features Chad Smith
Chad Smith
Chad Smith is an American musician, best known as the longtime and current drummer of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Smith is also the drummer of the hard rock supergroup Chickenfoot which includes Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, and Michael Anthony, former Deep Purple vocalist Glenn Hughes' backing band and...
, Flea
Flea (musician)
Michael Peter Balzary , better known by his stage name Flea, is an Australian-American musician and occasional actor. He is best known as the bassist, co-founding member, and one of the composers of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers...
and Kiedis in a stereotypical circus. The song, which plays amongst all the acts of the circus, includes "freaks" and "the Conehead", a reference to the film.
The music video was shot in black and white. Though John Frusciante does play guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on this song, he is not visibly featured in the video as he had left the band in 1992. Someone with his likeness is featured wearing a large black hat and can be seen at the end of the table in the video.
Originally, the video was supposed to feature the band playing spliced with footage from the film Coneheads
Coneheads
The Coneheads is a sketch on Saturday Night Live which originated on the January 15, 1977 episode, and starred Dan Aykroyd as father Beldar, Jane Curtin as mother Prymaat, and Laraine Newman as daughter Connie.-Summary:...
, but the band refused this idea; instead, a Conehead appears in the video as the circus's Human Cannonball. Another scrapped music video idea had the band playing in the desert after a car accident, somewhat like the video later made for their song, "Scar Tissue
Scar Tissue
"Scar Tissue" is the first single from the American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers' seventh studio album Californication, released in 1999...
". This version was meant to have a connection to the afterlife.
Chris Farley
Chris Farley
Christopher Crosby "Chris" Farley was an American comedian and actor. Farley was a member of Chicago's Second City Theatre and cast member of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1995....
makes an appearance in the music video.
Track list
CD single- "Soul to Squeeze (Album)"
- "Nobody Weird Like Me (Live)"
- "If You Have to Ask (Friday Night Fever Blister Mix)"
- "If You Have to Ask (Disco Krisco Mix)"
- "If You Have to Ask (Scott And Garth Mix)"
- "If You Have to Ask (Album)"
- "Give It Away (Edit)"
CD version 2
- "Soul to Squeeze (Album)"
- "Nobody Weird Like Me (Live)"
- "Suck My Kiss (Live)"
CD version 3 (Card Cover)
- "Soul to Squeeze (Album)"
- "Nobody Weird Like Me (Live)"
CD version 4
- "Soul to Squeeze (Album)"
- "Nobody Weird Like Me (Live)"
- "If You Have to Ask (Scott And Garth Mix)"
- "Soul to Squeeze"
7" Version (released as Jukebox)
- "Soul to Squeeze (Album)"
- "Nobody Weird Like Me (Live)"
Cassette single
- "Soul to Squeeze (Album)"
- "Nobody Weird Like Me (Live)"