Red Hot Chili Peppers – Road Trippin'

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  Song Meaning:I like the line "these smiling eyes are just a mirror for [the sun]"
  
  To me, it's an alternate way of looking at the value we place on ourselves as individuals. We look out from our eyes and see the world as though we were the center of it, and as though the world revolves around us. We are the main character in the story. But in this, our eyes are so much more insignificant. Simply mirrors for the sun.
  
  It's humbling- but not debasing. I think the intent is not to say that we are worthless, but to say that we are small. Juxtaposed with the rest of the song, we need to let go because we are small and not significant, and must make the most of what we have. For them, it is hitting the surf. For another, it might be devotion to ones family, or religion, or the environment, or cooking if they love that- but do what is important to you, and remember your eyes are just a mirror for the sun.

  Flag SighGuyon January 20, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:this song is about a trip that anthony, flea and john had while RHCP were recording Californication
  as you may know, john returned into the band in this album, so this song is about that trip, that's the reference to surf (they're surf lovers) and "with my two favorite allies" (john and flea)
  this song is just great to me (forgive me for my english, i'm from Chile)
  
  
  support chilean students and their fight for the education!!

  Flag lmengualhon September 10, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I think this song is amazing. I think its a refference to getting high with friends and chilling out under the stars with them. "sparkle light with yellow icing just a mirror for the sun" says to me that hes talking about how the moon is bright and often with a yellowy glow on the edge, mirror for the sun i think is reffering to the moon reflecting the suns light. getting lost in the usa, or in other words im so high i have no idea whats going on but its okay cuz im with my pals (: Anyone agree? :)

  Flag SynisterCjon January 18, 2011   Link

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• +1
  General Comment:This song is most definitely about driving up the Pacific Coast Highway, or "The One", as it is called, from Los Angeles north. It is NOT a drive conducive to the use of drugs, as anyone who has driven it would probably attest. On the west side of the highway is the Pacific Ocean (Blue you sit so pretty west of the one). On the east side are mountains and cliffs that jut straight up into the sky. It is the most magical, relaxing, and inspiring drive I have ever taken, best done in a convertible. It's about 6 hours from Los Angeles to Big Sur, taking the scenic way, so definitely take some snacks and supplies. And yeah, maybe once they got where they were going or were intending to stay somewhere for a little while, and knowing them, there might have been some drug use on the trip...but if you've ever met the Pacific Ocean, you might agree that "staying high and dry" is very difficult when it's splashing playfully and enticing you to get a little wet...the first time I saw it I went right in with all my clothes on. While we were driving up to Big Sur, my friend kept saying "She's really sparkling today" - meaning the ocean, and she'd never even heard this song. After sunset we headed back south. And never in my life have I seen so many stars (now let us drink the stars). It was like there were more stars than sky up there. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe how beautiful any of it was...I just kept asking "how is this POSsible?" Some songs are just about experiences, however simple, that make an impression on us. Beautiful experiences with people we care about somehow define who we are. THIS is one of those songs.

  Flag JoyKisson October 24, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:So much as come before those battles lost and won
  This life is shining more forever in the sun
  Now let us check our heads
  And let us check the surf
  Staying high and dry's
  More trouble than it's worth
  In the sun
  
  Everybody clean here. But for what purpose in live...

  Flag merrybreederon August 29, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:This song is about getting away from everything (life, the city, fame, etc).
  
  "Blue you sit so pretty, west of the one.
  Sparkles light with yellow icing. Just a mirror for the sun"
  
  Being from central Cali, this is an obvious reference to how the Pacific Ocean looks while traveling up Highway 1 from San Luis Obispo to Monterey.
  
  "Blue you sit so pretty west of the one" - the blue Pacific Ocean sits so pretty west of Highway 1. If anyone has taken that drive you know that the white caps on the ocean on a windy day look like "yellow icing" and that during the late day that the ocean is the "mirror for the sun."
  
  "In Big Sur we take some time to linger on" - again if anyone has taken the drive up Highway 1 they know that there is absolutely nothing until Big Sur (except for sheer cliffs and waterfalls) and it is a natural place to stop and chill - not to mention the many easy day hikes that produce ridiculous views of the Pacific.

  Flag mbreweriton June 13, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:I find it very funny, the fact that everyone can relate this lyrics to the Californian Pacific coast and it is unaderstandable, but the amazing video scenario is out of the US, the video was made in an amazing Beach in Costa Rica (look for a map!), called Montezuma in the Pacific coast, which is very visited by the guys, mostly Flea, is no secret for us that he loves our country... Is a great place for surfing... And off course is away from everything, quite a trip!!!

  Flag RamImpulseon November 25, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Isn't this about some trip he made with Chad and Flea in Alaska or something like that.

  Flag sodapolison September 08, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Anthony Kiedis has some insane range in terms of all the things he can do with his voice. I agree that this song has a lot to do with escape. Also it does appear that some of the lyrics appear to reference drugs.

  Flag julian333on July 18, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:It's cool that everyone has an interpretation...but...come out to California in early spring...drive up the pacifc coast highway from husrt castle to big sur and you will know this song...It's one of the mos amazing coastal landscapes in the world...and utterly peaceful...I proposed to my wife right of the pch at dusk...with the setting sun spreading it's light across the ocean...literally with a pod of dolphins swimming nearby...it's truly about escaping from L.A. and finding some of the worlds most beautiful nature only a few hours away from the insanity that is Hollywood...

  Flag follysgambiton February 09, 2008   Link

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