Under The Bridge

The story behind

There are songs that are born from an almost secret impulse, and Under The Bridge is one of them. Singer Anthony Kiedis carried with him a poem, written in a moment of deep loneliness and reflection on his struggle with addiction. Such was his intimacy with those words that, at first, he hesitated to share them with the rest of Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was producer Rick Rubin who, upon reading it in his notebook, saw the potential and encouraged Kiedis to present it to the band. The music accompanying this lyrical honesty was built collaboratively. Guitarist John Frusciante, seeking to balance the melancholy of the lyrics, chose chords that would bring a more luminous feeling, while bassist Flea and drummer Chad Smith found the rhythm and foundation to give it shape. This piece, which was recorded in 1991 as part of the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik at The Mansion, in Los Angeles, became a turning point for the band.