Knock Me Down is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their fourth studio album, Mother’s Milk (1989). The track was released on August 22, 1989, was the album’s second single and depicts negativity towards the stereotypical egotistic lifestyle of a typical rock star and was considered to be disavowing of drugs.
Knock Me Down peaked at number six on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. The band recorded basic tracks during March and early April 1989 at Hully Gully studios in Silver Lake. Knock Me Down originated during these sessions, and was formed from jam sessions without any input from returning producer Michael Beinhorn.
According to Flea, the Hully Gully sessions bore fruit:
“We played hard and fast more than at any other time in our career, I think. A lot of chops were going down … we played constantly, got to know each other, and came up with a record.”
Kiedis and Flea recognized that Frusciante‘s presence had become a significant influence on the band’s new material as the Hully Gully sessions were proving to be extremely productive; Flea recalled that:
“Frusciante was an immense new element to the sound of our band and a big opening up for us.”
The video featured actor Alex Winter, and was directed by Drew Carolan, who also directed the video for “Higher Ground”.
Tracklist:
- Knock Me Down
- Magic Johnson
- Punk Rock Classic
- Jungle Man
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Anthony Kiedis: lead vocals
John Frusciante: guitar, lead vocals
Flea: bass, backing vocals
Chad Smith: drums, tambourine
Additional personnel
Vicki Calhoun: backing vocals
