The song “Soul to Squeeze” is by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, an American Rock Band. This band was formed in 1983 in Los Angeles. Alternative rock, funk, punk rock and psychedelic rock are all present in their music. The band’s co-founders are Anthony Kiedis, Flea, drummer Chad Smith and guitarist John Frusciante.
They recorded this song in 1991 while working on their fifth studio album. However, the record was not released at that time. They finally released it as a single in 1993 and re-released in 2003. Well, it topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks list in the United States. The record reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the Billboard Album Rock Tracks list, the song reached number seven. Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante, Flea, and Chand Smith are the writers of this song.
Kevin Kerslake directed the “Soul to Squeeze” music video. A touring circus is seen in the video. In this video, the band members play a variety of ‘freaks.’ This heavy tune was used as the music for a comedy film about a family with conical heads in 1993. Another specialty of this video was coneheads, which included a cameo from Chris Farley.
Anthony Kiedis is the main lyricist of the song “Soul to Squeeze”. Since his boyhood, he has experienced numerous challenges. He had a drug problem (marijuana, Quaalude, cocaine, heroin and cocaine). Many of his male and female pals also utilized narcotics. He was actually struggling with drugs, despair, and terrible relationships. In addition, this song depicts emotional and mental battles with one‘s own self.
Well, the Soul to squeeze lyrics meaning is in direct opposition to the music.
What Does The Title Mean?
The word “soul” in the Bible is a translation of Hebrew ne‘phesh and Greek psyche. According to the Bible, the soul is a person or an animal, or the life that a person or an animal lives. In this song, we can see a person who is looking for relief away from the surface level. Anthony Kledis, the band’s lead singer, sings about his mental difficulties with addiction, despair, and failed relationships.
The word “squeeze” conjures up images of the mental strain he is under. The title “Soul to Squeeze” could also signify that he is suffering from a mental illness or mental agony that is threatening his life. Let us analyses soul to squeeze lyrics meaning verse by verse.
Verse 1 – What Does It Mean
I got a bad disease
Up from my brain is where I bleed
Insanity it seems
Has got me by my soul to squeeze
Well all the love from me
With all the dying trees I scream
The angels in my dreams, yeah
Have turned to demons of greed, that’s mean
The first verse portrays the lyricist’s emotional anguish. And the term ‘disease’ leads us to believe that anything is amiss with his health. Music preceding the commencement of the song lifts the spirits. However, the lyrics demonstrate the disparity. ‘Up from my brain is where I bleed,’ he explains. That implies that his disease has something to do with his mental and emotional wellness. This theme runs throughout the song.
He describes how insanity has impacted him so severely that he feels he is on the verge of losing his life. Soul to squeeze might refer to his addiction, depression, or anything else that is squeezing his life out of him. A person who has experienced depression will understand his feelings. Depression can be so severe that you believe death is preferable than life. According to him, addiction has become both a disease and a mental illness. Because insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Addiction is the same.
“Well, all the love from me,” he said, perhaps because of his mental illness brought on by addiction. In his dream, the angels had transformed into greedy demons. Our dreams originate in our brain. His brain’s ‘disease’ changed his pleasant dreams into nightmares. He claims that demons in his dreams resembled him. In fact, he is attempting to persuade himself that he will never be able to overcome his heroin addiction.
The verse 1 depicts the lyricist’s pain, agony and helplessness.
What Does The Chorus Mean
Where I go, I just don’t know
I got to, got to, gotta take it slow
When I find my peace of mind
I’m gonna give you some of my good time
You can see the writer’s vulnerability in the chorus. He also claims he has no idea where to go. He is unable to find a solution to his mental anguish. You want to be with your loved ones when you are in bodily discomfort. However, when you are suffering from mental and emotional distress, you seek solace. You want to get away from where you are and change things up. He then recognizes that he must proceed cautiously.
Soul to squeeze lyrics meaning for chorus provides us an insight about the lyricist’s defenselessness against addiction. Then he pledges to spend some quality time with “you” once he has found his peace of mind. In his love life, the lyricist could not be faithful. He was callous to his loved ones. He did so because of his drug addiction.
“When I find my peace of mind” implies that he was not at peace at the time. Someone who has experienced depression is likely to understand him. You will not be able to spend time with others if you are in this circumstance. You require some recuperation time. He wants to compensate for his unhappy emotions and anguish by spending some quality time with his love.
Verse 2 – What Does It Mean
Today love smiled on me
It took away my pain, said please
I’ll let your ride be free
You gotta let it be, oh yeah
Soul to squeeze lyrics meaning for Verse 2 demonstrates that his mental health is improving. ‘Today love smiled on me,’ indicating that he had discovered someone who could help him. Someone who could make him feel better. Someone who told him, “I will aid you,” when he faced his difficulties. Perhaps some of his connections were changing for the better.
Verse 3 – What Does It Mean
Oh so polite indeed
Well I got everything I need
Oh make my days a breeze
And take away my self destruction
It’s bitter baby and it’s very sweet
A holy rollercoaster but I’m on my feet
Take me to the river, let me on your shore
Well, I’ll be coming back baby, I’ll be coming back for more
Soul to squeeze lyrics meaning for verse 3 expresses lyricist’s wish to break free from his self-destructive cycle. He has accepted his problems. He wishes for assistance. Then he adds a contrast to the song by including a bridge. ‘It’s both bitter and sweet, baby.“ He describes the addiction in this section. Even though he knows addiction is bad for him, he wants it to make him happy. He wishes to tackle challenges and progress. He wishes to flee the troubles he is experiencing. But he is unsure if he should do it or not. This represents the internal conflict he is experiencing.
What Does The Bridge Mean?
Doo doo doo doo dingle zing a dong bone
Ba-di ba-da ba-zumba crunga cong gone bad
I could not forget but I will not endeavor
Simple pleasures are much better, but I won’t regret it, never
The bridge’s first two lyrics create sentiments of glee and gladness, yet it concludes with the pessimistic word “gone bad”.‘ What a difference. His trials and troubles are unforgettable, he continues in the next two lines. But he will not struggle. He will instead find contentment in simple pleasures.
What Does The Outro Mean?
Where I go I just don’t know
I might end up somewhere in Mexico
When I find my peace of mind
I’m gonna keep it for the end of time
In the Outro, he speculates that he might move to Mexico to achieve peace of mind. Mexico is well-known for its beaches and is an excellent holiday destination. He wants to run away from all of his problems and take an emotional and physical vacation. And Anthony used to stay in Mexico when he needed to detox. And he demonstrates his commitment to maintain his peace of mind indefinitely. That is, he no longer wishes to suffer from emotional anguish.
Conclusion
This is a song of anguish and suffering that will leave a mark on your heart. In this song, you can feel the lyricist’s pain and suffering.
