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Dani California Lyrics

Gettin' born in the state of Mississippi
Poppa was a copper and her momma was a hippie
In Alabama she was swinging hammer
Price you gotta pay when you break the panorama
She never knew that there was anything more than poor
What in the world does your company take me for?

Black bandanna, sweet Louisiana
Robbin' on a bank in the state of Indiana
She's a runner, rebel and a stunner
On her merry way sayin' baby what you gonna
Lookin' down the barrel of a hot metal .45
Just another way to survive

California, rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California, show your teeth
She's my priestess, I'm your priest
Yeah, yeah

She's a lover, baby and a fighter
Shoulda seen it coming when it got a little brighter
With a name like Dani California
Day was gonna come when I was gonna mourn ya
A little loaded she was stealin' another breath
I love my baby to death

California, rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California, show your teeth
She's my priestess, I'm your priest
Yeah, yeah

Who knew the other side of you
Who knew what others died to prove
Too true to say goodbye to you
Too true, too say say say

Push the fader, gifted animator
One for the now and eleven for the later
Never made it, Up to Minnessota
North Dakota man was a gunnin' for the quota
Down in the badlands she was saving the best for last
it only hurts when I laugh
Gone too fast

California, rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California, show your teeth
She's my priestess, I'm your priest
Yeah, yeah

California, rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California, show your teeth
She's my priestess, I'm your priest
Yeah, yeah
Song Info
Copyright
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Writer
Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, John Frusciante, Michael Balzary
Duration
4:42
Producer
Rick Rubin
Release date
Apr 03, 2006
Sentiment
Positive
Submitted by
captain Pugwash On Apr 01, 2006
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Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

In Wikipedia I came to find this information, supported by the guy who wrote the lyrics. So Dani IS the same 'girl' in Californication. I'm posting the column about the origins of the song here:

"Throughout the song, lyricist Anthony Kiedis laments the early death of Dani, a poor, young Southern girl who eventually lived in California, became a mother and lived a hard, fast, unsettled life.[4] Kiedis has commented that the character of "Dani" is an embodiment of all the women with whom he has had relationships. The song narrates much of Dani's life, starting with her birth in Mississippi and apparently culminating with her death in the badlands of North Dakota.[5]

Dani first appeared in the 1999 song "Californication", which includes the lyrics "Teenage bride with a baby inside/Gettin' high on information" although the girl's name is not specified. She was next mentioned in the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 2002 single "By the Way" as "Dani the girl". It is also possible that the character is alluded to in the 1999 single "Scar Tissue" from the "Californication" album through the lyrics "Blood loss in a bathroom stall/Southern girl with a scarlet drawl" and "Push me up against the wall/Young Kentucky girl in a push-up bra." On the subject of "Dani California", Kiedis is quoted as saying: "When this funky groove came up it struck me as a perfect place to actually tell a story. It sort of revealed itself to me that it's been the same character, just kind of developing. At first I didn't realize that I was writing about the same girl."[6]

Guitarist John Frusciante utilized various instruments and effects devices in order to achieve the textures and treatments used throughout the song, including Mellotron, Moog effect pedals, and a Doepfer modular synthesizer, used for the filtering and processing of pre-recorded tracks. Although it is sometimes low in the mix, the main riff, (which is heard primarily in the first verse) plays throughout as an underlying tone."

You can read more about it here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dani_California

Song Meaning

@Amaranth You know it was Dave Navarro who played guitar on this song, right?

@Amaranth You know it was Dave Navarro who played guitar on this song, right?

Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Song is awesome, there's no doubt about that.

But in all these posts, I could barely read any idea about "the meaning" of this song. Because actually I don't wanna know if people loves the song or not, it's music you can love it, hate it I don't care. I wanna know "if you know" anything about these lyrics, what they're trying to tell us ?

I think I'm gonna agree with others who think Dani California is the same girl in "Californication" song.

Amen, what the F is this song about? Who cares if you like it. Give a friggin' explanation of the lyrics, please. This is called SONGMEANINGS, isn't it ;) AHHHHHHHH

Not Valid

@Amaranth The song is about a girl who moved to California and died, pretty much

Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

I really can't come to believe that there's a deeper meaning we'll be able to find in this song as listeners, besides it's narrative of the girl Dani. There may be more to it for the RHCP, but for us we'll just have to make do with a great song,

It seems like a mourning song, so it's probably the singer recalling this girl he had a thing for. A pretty straight forward story of a girl who grew up in the lower class and a poor family that turned to a life of crime as a means to get by. Eventually she finds the thrill in crime and travels northward(?) robbing banks. Eventually she finds her end, gunned down by a man from North Dakota before she could ever make it to Minnesota. (which probably has no meaning besides the fact that it rhymes well with the song)

Song Meaning

it's about every girl he's ever met, according to Anthony Kiedis

@Notee "never made it up to Minnesota" is most likely a rehab reference. As you most likely know, Minnesota is home to Hazelden, a preferred place to get clean for America's elite, as well as numerous other rehab facilities. It's possible Anthony or other band members spent some time there, and perhaps the girl in the story met her ultimate fate despite efforts to get her to "go to Minnesota" or her own promises to get clean. But she never made it up to Minnesota. Anyway, just speculation, but I doubt it has "no meaning" and...

Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Awesome song, adam1986 comment pretty is correct. "Dani", according to Kiedis, is a representation of every girl that he's come across in his life.

Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Does anyone know what the backing vocals (I assume its John) are singing in the very last chorus? After every line you can hear the backing vocals echoing something, and it sounds really cool, I wanna know what is being said

Great song though, for real. I love Anthony's lyrics, how they all seem so abstract but you can always tell there is meaning in them. And Flea and John compliment each other so well, especially in the solo at the end of the song.

Oh my God. Yes! The hidden vocals in the last chorus! That makes the song! I am anxious for that part. It truly sounds like the finale, you know what I mean? I think its saying "Down with California" but I had to search it up. I saw an interview with Frusciante and he was talking about the backing vocals and guitar. He was saying: "doo doo doo de doo" while he was playing, but I highly doubt that's it. Reply back!

-Lennon Marie (13 years old)

Okay. I listened closely. t sounds like: "donna si dona" then "ooh, california!" Thats what I got(:

until you mentioned it I'd never noticed that at all - I bet it's some swear words or something - quite often a crafty way of swear words getting played on radio - EMF did that trick with Unbelievable.

Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

AK: I wanted to continue the story of DC (who appeared on Californication and BTW). She's the daughter of a Southern cop - a criminal-minded girl who thrives on catastrophe but this time meets her maker.

DC reminds me of a girl I know, lives kinda wild and acts as if she doesnt know any better.

Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

perfect song and i love the creativeness in video ... it's a great celebration

Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Once upon a time for a long friggen time this song was applicable. This snobby user was use to playing and using up every girl he met. Another game player, once he had them he didn't want them anymore and already had someone new lined up. Dani represents all the girls he was use to. Than he met a gal unlike anyone he ever met and she immediately was swooned by him. She gave her heart and soul and he ripped it to pieces. Went on the have a million relationships that always failed but kept her on his hook. He could never let her go and realized her loved her but it was too late. This chick met another guy that seems to be the same way. She's been down this road before and the new guy knows it. If he doesn't take action he'll end up like the last guy. Spending the rest of his life regretting how he treated her. We all have choices and hearts can change and do.

Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

And this person has been on the rock for longer than 3 years and is a lunatic to think this girl would ever consider him in any shape or form again. The romance has been over for years but she always promised she'd be there for him no matter what, even though he treated her horribly. The problem is that she always puts others feelings before her own and ends up getting shit on. 3 years ago the only reason she still talked to him was because she was afraid he was suicidal and couldn't live without her. That's the truth. She didn't think he'd be okay. But recently she turned to him in a time of despair and need. Just like she turned to him almost a decade ago. This time is was mostly from medication. Her neurochemistry was out of whack and she was actually going to kill herself and researched ways to do it. Medication can actually make you suicudal. Not the suicudal thoughts we've all felt but don't really mean when we're down. She couldn't control her thoughts and told this person she thought she could count on. Said I think I'm really going to and they never responded. Hates a very strong word but even though she made that sentimented promise she rescinds it. She no longer feels obligated or sorry for him. He is a classic narcissist and never gave a shit about her. He just wanted adoration and to fill up his narcosstic supply. He's not capable of love. He just wants control and someone to shit on which was me. She thinks he's an aweful human being and prays for his soul. There's no love for them even as a friend. And they can go duck themselves and fall into a revene if they think otherwise.

@oasisness he has access to her and she knows he seen the Google search. He might actually be the devil. That's all. Thank god that chapter is over. Find someone else to fuck with and ruin there life.

Cover art for Dani California lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

This is an awsome song!!!!! screw you!!!! and yea man that verse is so dang catchy. This song is about a girl name Dani California. The same on from By The Way. I heard in an interview of AK like that he sort of made up a story of this girl. Great video also.

Kenny