She's Only 18

Album: Stadium Arcadium (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Anthony Kiedis in the June 2006 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, this song is about his girlfriend, model Heather "Nika" Christie. Kiedis sings about a girl who is just 18 years old, but is going too far too fast in her life. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM
  • The line before the second chorus, "The last I heard from you, you were screaming resurrect" is backed by drummer Chad Smith on vocals. You can hear the low voice if you listen closely. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mischa - Winnipeg, Canada
  • The song's working title was "Funkadelicish To Me" because guitarist John Frusciante listened to the groove and quipped, "Sounds Funkadelicish to me."
  • According to Kiedis, this originally had a completely different instrumental chorus with a wild, "hazy, phasey" chord progression Frusciante came up with.
  • The band originally envisioned Stadium Arcadium, their ninth album, as a trilogy and planned to release a disc every six months. Instead, they pared it down to a double album, with 14 songs on each disc, titled Jupiter and Mars. "She's Only 18" appears on Jupiter.

Comments: 9

  • Martin from Prague, Czech RepublicI always thought the low voice in the "The last I heard from you..." part was Rick Rubin and not Chad. I don't know if I've read it somewhere or if it's just my assumption.
  • Timmy from Mukilteo, Wathis song is so good. one of the best chili pepper songs
  • Jo from Bethlehem, PaI love turning the bass up for this song, haha.
  • Dawson from Draper, UtI agree w/ Mischa, it is way cool. I like the album Stadium Arcadium, but if you listen to their 3 new EPs, those non-album tracks are a lot better than some songs on Stadium Arcadium, life for example, Warlocks.
  • Liz from The Town That Never Sleeps, NvThis song is about me.
    HA
    I wish.
    but i really feel like it describes alot of females these days
    *like myself*
    -Liz
  • Oneinamillion from Nyc, NyBeautiful song. Almost feels like an anthem when I hear it. What a fabulous album.
  • Mischa from Winnipegthis is the best song from stadium arcadium
  • Zach from Carlsbad, CaThis is a good reference to today's teenage girls who feel they need to live up to a standard of being slutty. I am in high school I see it everyday.
  • Tom from Northport, Nythis song is actually about Anthony Kiedis' girlfriend/wife who was 18 when they met
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Cy Curnin of The Fixx

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.