Animal Bar

Album: Stadium Arcadium (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis said this tune is about the cycle of life. He was inspired by a "tiny, one-road dirt town" in Northern Australia that doesn't get rain for most of the year. When the rain finally does fall, it brings a sense of cleansing and rebirth.
  • There really is an Animal Bar; it's in Karumba, Australia, part of the Karumba Lodge. RHCP bassist Flea, a native of Australia, had likely heard of it.
  • John Frusciante said of his guitar work of the song: "The main part is done with volume-knob swells, a wah, and a chorus pedal, but I used the wah pedal exactly the opposite of how it's normally used. I raise the volume while the wah is in the full treble position, and then close the wah to its full bass position. Then I lower the volume and repeat the move on the next chord. It's unusual for a guitarist to use a wah that way, but it is the way a synthesist would think. The chorus effect is maxed at some points, as is the Holy Grail, which is set to the Spring sound. The solo is processed with the stereo phasing effect from the Analogue Systems Phaser." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM
  • Flea's bass line was inspired by the German rock bands Neu! and Can.
  • For Stadium Arcadium, the band's ninth studio album, the Peppers returned to The Mansion, a Laurel Canyon estate owned by their producer Rick Rubin, where they recorded their recording site owned by their breakthrough 1991 album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. RHCP drummer Chad Smith, who was turned off by the house's haunted reputation in the Blood Sugar days, told Classic Rock magazine what it was like returning to The Mansion after 15 years: "It was like meeting an old girlfriend who has since f--ked a bunch of other guys: she's a bit torn up, and it's nice to see her but, you know. It's okay, but much different. But the place still sounds great."

Comments: 3

  • Vida_pirata from Queensland The Animal Bar is in Karumba in far north Queensland, Flea was born in Melbourne, Victoria one of Australia's southern states, they are 2908km apart or 1807 miles.

    The song is not about a bar anywhere near where Flea was born.
  • Martin from Santa Fe, ArgentinaAnimal Bar is about this place in Australia where there is a part of the year when you have no rain. When it finally rains, people feels relieved and reborn, water washes everything away and gives them energy to continue. That's more or less the idea behind "Animal Bar"
  • Kevin from Albany, OrThis is not a video of Animal Bar. It's actually 21st Century.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.