I can't rest in war
Will you be my friend?
Dark ages never change
Well, I can't comprehend

Kiss me, we self destruct
Can you hear me, Lord?
Yes, I think we're fucked
But I can't rest in war

Righteous and the wicked
Are the war and peace

The righteous and the wicked
War and peace
The killing fist of the human beast
P.O.P., prodigies of peace
Hear me when I'm calling you
From my knees

I am playing for a better day
Playing for a better day, anyway
Oh yeah, I'm playing for a better day

Holy Mother Earth
Crying into space
Tears on her pretty face
I thought she had been raped

Killing your future blood
Fill her with disease
Global abortion pleas
That is what she needs

Righteous and the wicked
Are the war and peace

The righteous and the wicked
War and peace
The killing fist of the human beast
P.O.P., prodigies of peace
Hear me when I'm calling you
From my knees

And I am playing for a better day
Oh yeah, playing for a better day
Anyway

Are we fire flies
Flashing in the night?
Big thunder rumble fish
But did you get it right?

Headstrong 'bout this song
Exploding souls, be gone
Marvin Gaye, my love
Where did we go wrong?

Righteous and the wicked
Are the war and peace

The righteous and the wicked
War and peace
The killing fist of the human beast
P.O.P., prodigies of peace
Hear me when I'm calling you
From my knees

Well, I am playing for a better day


Lyrics submitted by Missy, edited by Mellow_Harsher

The Righteous & The Wicked Lyrics as written by Anthony Kiedis Chad Gaylord Smith

Lyrics © MoeBeToBlame, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

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The Righteous and the Wicked song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentThis song is about how we continually pray for a better world, but we aren't doing anything to make it better. Like we pray for peace and health but we are not making an end to war or doing anything substantial towards a healthier planet.
    Alice_in_Soundweezeron February 13, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis song sounds so cool. i love the way the chorus sounds. i think it's about religion and peace (duh) and the thing about mother earth and how we're ruining it is kinda obvious. great song!!
    chilis*ruleon April 28, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment^what you said! ....cool song ;P
    this_velvet_gloveon December 09, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is such a cool song.

    It's about how mankind has fucked up the world.
    quiffpornon January 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWhat's going on? This is an AMAZING song, my favourite of all time, and it's got 4 replies. It's not good enough!

    i can't rest in war
    will you be my friend
    dark ages never change
    i can't comprehend

    I'm not totally sure, but I think that this might be AK thinking about how he's going to deal with war and pain.


    kiss you we self destruct
    can you hear me lord
    yes i think we're fucked
    but i can't rest in war

    He's getting more anxious.


    the righteous and the wicked
    war and peace
    the killing fist
    of the human beast
    P.O.P
    prodigies of peace
    hear me when i'm calling you
    from my knees
    i am playing for a better day

    This is sung really violently for Anthony, so it's definity something that he has a lot of feeling for. He's more or less describing what he thinks about the amount of damage that people are causing the Earth; he doesn't believe in it and is feeling a lot of anger.


    holy mother earth
    crying into space
    tears on her pretty face
    for she has been raped

    My favourite lyrics. Earth has been personified as a mother, crying as her children murder her, taking her body.


    killing your future blood
    fill her with disease
    global abortion please
    that is what she needs

    Turning to the cause, Anthony describes to the listener, telling them that they are destroying life for their future generations. He calls for all people on Earth to be wiped out, as this seems to be the only solution to the problem.


    are we fire flies
    flashing in the night
    big thunder rumble fish
    did you get it right

    This is the hardest verse to understand. The idea is that we are so small and insignificant, but we can make a massive difference through our decisions. I think that "big thunder rumble fish" might be an earthquake, but don't ask me what "fish" is all about.


    headstrong battlesong
    exploding souls be gone
    marvin gaye my love
    where did we go wrong

    We might as well be leading a war against nature. The first line shows how violent this song can be perceived as, and the third is showing how AK isn't alone in his thinking.

    That's the way that I see it, anyway :)
    melrfazon January 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis is an AMAZING SONG! right next to give it away and mellowship slinky in b major on the blood sugar album- next to 2 great other tunes. the lyrics are basically, i believe this is about ant believes in where politics and religion is involved. i dunno, maybe im totally wrong, but it seems pretty obvious that thats what hes talking about
    FleaFlyFloon April 11, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI
    ANTWANmyMANon September 17, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentmelrfaz, i think you're pretty much spot on there!

    it's AK crying out for us to stop ruining the earth..

    and i goota say, the bass on this is inspirational!!! gotta love it!!! its just such a solid, rhythmic riff...
    Avatar-rockon March 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOne of my favorite songs. The thing i miss most bout the current chili peps. is there funktasicness. I love IT. But at the same time i'm glad there off drugs cuz now they can produce music for longer :-D
    jk... anyways This is one great ass song, i jerk off to this shit and wish i could play it on the guitar. Dam I can't tell you how great of a song this is!
    azerbajianon April 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI'm pretty sure the line

    "i am playing for a better day"

    ... is really:

    "I am praying for a better day"
    MarkDePaceon March 17, 2007   Link

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