Give It Away is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from the group’s fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). It was released as the lead single from their album in September 4, 1991 by Warner Bros. Records. The music was written by guitarist John Frusciante and bassist Flea during a jam session months prior to the album recording sessions. Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the song’s most prevalent lyrical refrain in response to an experience he shared with former girlfriend Nina Hagen regarding altruistic behavior and the value of selflessness.
Give It Away went on to achieve international fame, reaching number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks in late 1991, giving the band their first ever number one single. In 1992 the single charted inside the top 75 of the US Hot 100 in the wake of the huge success of the record’s second single Under the Bridge. Give It Away also became the band’s first top ten hit in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart; this did not occur until February 1994, nearly two and a half years after it was first released in the US.
The accompanying music video, which was directed by French film-maker Stéphane Sednaoui, was put into heavy rotation on music-television stations such as MTV and added to the band’s success. Since its release, Give It Away has gone on to receive numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for the Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocals in 1992.
Tracklist:
- Give It Away (Single Mix) (A. Keidis, C. Smith, Flea, J. Frusciante)
- Give It Away (12″ Mix) (A. Keidis, C. Smith, Flea, J. Frusciante)
- Search And Destroy (J. Osterberg, J. Williamson)
- Give It Away (Rasta Mix)
- Give It Away (Album Version)
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Flea: bass, scream
John Frusciante: lead and rhythm guitar
Anthony Kiedis: vocals
Chad Smith: drums, tambourine
Additional musicians
Brendan O’Brien: Hammond B3 organ
Pete Weiss: Jew’s harp
