Road Trippin'

Album: Californication (1999)
Charted: 30
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a trip Anthony Kiedis took in rural California with John Frusciante and Flea: "Road Trippin with my two favorite allies." This trip consolidated their friendship in this new phase of The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song reflects a more mature Kiedis, who wrote about this friendship triangle in "Under The Bridge" when he felt left out. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Tiago - Santos, Brazil
  • The title is mentioned only once in the song, which would lead people to believe that it's titled "Just a mirror for the Sun," which is sung repeatedly. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Spencer - Equinunk, PA
  • This is one of the few Red Hot Chili Peppers songs with no drums. Drummer Chad Smith appears only briefly at the end of the video, arriving in a boat. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • The Peppers used a Chamberlin Organ on this song to get the sort of orchestral sound. According to Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith's interview on Music Express, the original intention was to get legendary Led Zeppelin musician John Paul Jones to arrange that part. They decided against it after seeing how much it would cost them. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM

Comments: 8

  • Boris from Marechal Rondon, BrazilA great song, into a great album!
  • Tello from Boston, Maawesome song; it is really peaceful and happy. great album.
  • Emma from San Deigo, Cathis song is so peaceful ,i love it!
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaI think the concept for this whole album is Los Angeles and Anthony's perspective of it. If you guys want a point by point analysis just post here that you do. I'm reading "Scar Tissue" (Anthony Kiedis' autobiography, but he had a ghostwriter).
  • Nikie from Stockholm, SwedenThe concept.. I've been trying to figure out that one, but.. Like "This life is shining more forever in the sun.." and "let us drink the stars" ..It's like they think they can do about anything, 'cause they're so "happy" and all, almost exaggerated, to convince themselves.. But then.. "Just a mirror for the sun, these smiling eyes are just a mirror for". They're really not happy even though they might look like they are on this roadtrip, pretending they're feeling so good..
    Anyways, I love this song.. It's really sad I think.
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaWhat's the concept? Anyway this song is great, one of RHCP best and most underrated.
  • Spencer from Equinunk, PaI totally agree, Patrick. It's one of the best albums of all time!
  • Patrick from Humboldt, IaCalifornication is definitely a concept album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Motley Crue

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."