Knock Me Down

Album: Mother's Milk (1989)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is about Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Hillel Slovak, who died of a heroin overdose in 1988. "My Lovely Man" (On Blood Sugar Sex Magik) is also about Hillel. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ed - Victoria, Canada
  • Anthony Kiedis wrote this song during his withdraw of drugs. The lyrics, "If you see me getting high, knock me down, I'm not bigger than life" are him telling Hillel, "If I do anything stupid with my life, knock me down, or set me straight." It's his realization that he is not invincible and can die just like Hillel. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    ben - sydney, NY
  • There are two versions of the song that exist. The version that is included on the album is edited to sound like John's vocals are dominant over Anthony's. The remastered version of the album has the orginal long version as a bonus track. That version has more lyrics and Anthony's vocals are dominant. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alec Thorp - Yorktown Heights, NY

Comments: 9

  • Everett Miller from United StatesI love this song! It is amazing! It is actually my favorite song on this album. Seriously, I did not know that this song was about Hillel till now. I also did not find out until reading this article that there was another song dedicated to Hillel on BSSM.
  • Bobbilyn from Jacksonville, FlGreat song video's great cause you see them all when they were young. One of my favorite songs of theirs.
  • Dan from Syd, United StatesVicky Calhoun did the backing vocals...
  • Chris from Somewhere In, OkThis is a great song! The vocals toward the end contribute much into the greatness of the song.

    Who sings them?
  • Daniel from Chino Hills, CaMan, this has gotta be one of my most favourite RHCP songs
  • E from Vancouver, CanadaOne of RHCP's best songs.
  • Danno from Sussex, EnglandIts 'if you see me getting MIGHTY, if you see me getting high, knock me down, im not bigger than life'... jeez..

    Its so lonely when you dont even know yourself...
  • Marko from Melbourne, Australiakiedes wrote this during his "break" from drugs, i mean its pretty obvious what the song is about "if you see me getting high, if you see me getting high knock me down" basically "im not doing drugs anymore and i shouldn't be"
  • Mistik from Sydney, AustraliaYeah.. Anthony wrote a bunch of lyrics and John added melody and it was a change to the chili's sound cos.. most peppers songs back then were groove based and started with a bass line but now this song brought a new chord change to the music that they made. Its an anti drug song but AK relapses afterwards thoguh he promised Hillel he would stop (at Hillels grave). "Too much for me too much for you, your gonna lose in time" yep.. thats the effects of drugs i guess. this song states the obvious. but the nice bit is "I pray for you most everyday my love's with you.."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?