Hard To Concentrate

Album: Stadium Arcadium (2006)
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Songfacts®:

  • RHCP frontman Anthony Kiedis wrote this song as a wedding proposal - not for himself but for his bandmate Flea, who was dating the model Frankie Rayder. Kiedis plays a convincing Cyrano, mixing in some tried-and-true platitudes:

    All I want is for you to be happy and
    Take this moment to make you my family


    With some of his trademark wordplay:

    Estuary is blessed but scary your
    Heart's about to palpitate
    And I'm not about to hesitate


    Unfortunately, it didn't work: Flea and Rayder had a child together, but never got married.
  • This song shows how much the band has changed over the years, and how diverse their sound and sentiment can be. The same man who yelled, "I want to party on your p--sy," was now singing, "All I want is for you to be happy." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM
  • This is one of 28 tracks on Stadium Arcadium, a double album produced by Rick Rubin. John Frusciante was their guitarist at the time; he added the keyboard/synth textures to the song.
  • In the album commentary, Flea explained he wanted to write a bass line that was reminiscent of John Frusciante's guitar playing. Frusciante, in turn, said his guitar style was inspired by Eric Avery, the original bassist for Jane's Addiction, who had a habit of playing two notes that were far away from each other.

Comments: 11

  • Bay from Arcata, CaThis is a beatiful song, the guy singing it sounds
    so sweet. It make you love him even though you don't know him.
  • Frank from Melbourne, Australiai like the main guitar riff durring the later versus with the chorus over the top, sounds great
  • Michaela from Fulllerton, CaABSOLUTE BEST SONG OF ALL TIME! It really means a lot to me when I hear it because someone special dedicated it to me and it always reminds me of him. I LOVE HIM TO DEATH!
  • April from Gig Harbor, WaWow, I thought i would be the only one who would think of this as a wedding song. Guess i was wrong. LOL OH well, i am sure its still few and far between and by the time i ever get married, the song will be a classic. LOL Its a Great Song. I heard it for the first time last night while curled in front of the fireplace w/ my new guy and i was just struck w/ emotion when i heard it! It was absolutely perfect for us.
  • Max from Leesburg, VaOne of my most listened to songs on the album. Great song to chill out on
  • Erica from Belleville, CanadaThis is my favourite song ever..and RHCP aren't even my favourite band..it's just so sweet and heart-melty.
  • Sanja from Zabok, Croatiai love this song!!! i would like to be proposed with this song...and it's definatly gonna be playing on my wedding...if i'll have one...
  • Krysten from Odessa, TxThe Chili Peppers have matured, and despite what many others think that's definitely a good thing. My cousin loves this song. It's very sweet. :)
  • Grayson from Cleveland, Ohbeatiful lyrics. the way this song flows is just amazing. it would make an excellent wedding song.
  • Stella from North Kingstown, RiAn amazing song. It is going to be my wedding song in about two years. Its very mature, indeed.
  • Ethan from San Leandro, CaMy favorite song on the new album....their most mature song yet
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