Yearlong Song Challenge, Day 178: Brianna

Prompt: "A song you regret has not been chosen yet by anyone during either iteration of the Song Challenge, because, damn, you have such a good reason to choose this song"

Selected by Brianna

"It's Only Natural"

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Unlimited Love, 2022

Sorry to do it to you, but I could not leave this year behind without making one final plea to the awesomeness of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In fact, the argument I'm about to make in favor of said awesomeness is one I have wanted to make this entire year, but hadn't had the proper set up to do so. The argument is this: Anthony Kiedis is one of the best vocalists/lyricists of his time.

OKAY, OKAY, RELAX! I know, that's one spicy hot take. HEY, I SAID CALM DOWN! Let me explain. 

For you to begin to grasp what I'm trying to say here, you need to think of song lyrics not as words with meaning, but as vessels for tone and rhythm. I could see how someone listening to his songs in search of a meaningful message could leave with something to be desired. Some of it feels more like gibberish than logical thought. But arts are not always logical. Sometimes you have to take a few steps back from the painting to see what's happening, right?

If you still don't get what I mean, follow along with the song with the lyrics in front of you. Not for the purpose of reading but so that you can sing along. Pay attention to the pauses in between syllables and the rhythmic way the words dance from one to the other. Feel the way your lips move and the tapping of your tongue as you form the sounds in your mouth. The only sensation I could compare it with in what it felt like playing the clarinet all those years ago. 

For my Dr. Dog fans out there, I'd also compare the Kiedis approach to the title track of Abandoned Mansions. Sing the lyrics "...but you did it to me to” 10x over and tell me it doesn't just roll off your tongue in the most satisfying way. 

Paired with the other band members (absolute legends in terms of skill on their own), Anthony shines. Comparable to another percussionist, he's waiting at the downbeats and filling in the pauses at just the right times. What doesn't work as a comprehensible story or message works so much better as a musical piece. 

I'd be naive to think many people don't listen to music for the meaning, so perhaps asking you to take that part out of your musical experience is a big request. All I'm trying to say is, before counting the Peppers out of the running, listen to them from this angle, and let me know how it goes.