This is probably not what Kiedis meant he wrote the lyrics, but this song reminds me of Hamlet’s thoughts throughout Act V of "Hamlet", though not necessarily in the order of the plot. The first two verses remind me of Hamlet’s initial argument with Laertes in the grave and the fencing dual. Hamlet is obviously mad at Laertes, but he seems to enjoy this anger as being different from the rest of the kingdom has come to define who he is. This can be shown with the lyrics “I’ve got myself in a masochistic hold,” and “I’ve got to find my way into the light, heavy, middle weight.” His constant talking to himself and understandable frustration is shown with “We don’t stop rock around the clock/Motor mouthing off In front of every other road block.” The verse “Come again and tell me what you’re going thru/Like a girl who only knew her child was due/ To the moon she gave another good review/Turned around and looked at me/ It’s really really you” represents Hamlet’s longing for understanding and connection with Ophelia, or anyone for that matter. He wants her to talk to him as if she is scared and lonely. However, he thinks she is in a better place now (“To the moon she gave another good review”). The lines “Turned around and looked at me/It’s really really you,” represent how Hamelt and Ophelia are actually quite similar in that they are scared to communicate with each other. They both also, in one way or another, would think the moon (life after earth) might be a better option than existing on earth. The chorus represents Hamlet’s final reflections on his life as he is dying. “Memories of everything/Of lemon trees on mercury,” show how he is bitter about his life. “Come to me with remedies/from five or six of seven seas” show that Hamlet has thought about death before and is ok with his death. He has wanted a remedy for the pain of life for a while and finally has it. Seas are often used as a metaphor for the “wave of life,” especially in RHCP songs. What is interesting is that he says “five or six of seven seas.” This means that he realizes that there still might be more existence after this life is over. The lyrics “You always took me with a smile when I was down,” could be Hamlet addressing Claudius at the end of the play. Hamlet sees that Claudius wants him dead, and does not seem to have any sympathy for Hamlet. Thus, he appears happy to Hamlet when Hamlet is feeling down. The lyrics “Memories of everything/ that blew thru” could be a reiteration of his reflection on life. His life has blown on by with the wind and he does not know where he will go next. “Blew” is very similar to the word “blue,” which could be another interpretation. In “Hey, Hey, My, My” Neil Young uses the color blue to represent life. Here, Kiedis could be mentioning how Hamlet’s life, in a million shades of blue (as is the sea), is through and over with. And the rest is silent. Another thing to note about this song is how it is set to a very upbeat ska rhythm. This could show irony, reinforcing the theme of finding pleasure in pain, which is the only way to actually find joy in life it seems. I don't think that made any sense, but whatever....
This is probably not what Kiedis meant he wrote the lyrics, but this song reminds me of Hamlet’s thoughts throughout Act V of "Hamlet", though not necessarily in the order of the plot. The first two verses remind me of Hamlet’s initial argument with Laertes in the grave and the fencing dual. Hamlet is obviously mad at Laertes, but he seems to enjoy this anger as being different from the rest of the kingdom has come to define who he is. This can be shown with the lyrics “I’ve got myself in a masochistic hold,” and “I’ve got to find my way into the light, heavy, middle weight.” His constant talking to himself and understandable frustration is shown with “We don’t stop rock around the clock/Motor mouthing off In front of every other road block.” The verse “Come again and tell me what you’re going thru/Like a girl who only knew her child was due/ To the moon she gave another good review/Turned around and looked at me/ It’s really really you” represents Hamlet’s longing for understanding and connection with Ophelia, or anyone for that matter. He wants her to talk to him as if she is scared and lonely. However, he thinks she is in a better place now (“To the moon she gave another good review”). The lines “Turned around and looked at me/It’s really really you,” represent how Hamelt and Ophelia are actually quite similar in that they are scared to communicate with each other. They both also, in one way or another, would think the moon (life after earth) might be a better option than existing on earth. The chorus represents Hamlet’s final reflections on his life as he is dying. “Memories of everything/Of lemon trees on mercury,” show how he is bitter about his life. “Come to me with remedies/from five or six of seven seas” show that Hamlet has thought about death before and is ok with his death. He has wanted a remedy for the pain of life for a while and finally has it. Seas are often used as a metaphor for the “wave of life,” especially in RHCP songs. What is interesting is that he says “five or six of seven seas.” This means that he realizes that there still might be more existence after this life is over. The lyrics “You always took me with a smile when I was down,” could be Hamlet addressing Claudius at the end of the play. Hamlet sees that Claudius wants him dead, and does not seem to have any sympathy for Hamlet. Thus, he appears happy to Hamlet when Hamlet is feeling down. The lyrics “Memories of everything/ that blew thru” could be a reiteration of his reflection on life. His life has blown on by with the wind and he does not know where he will go next. “Blew” is very similar to the word “blue,” which could be another interpretation. In “Hey, Hey, My, My” Neil Young uses the color blue to represent life. Here, Kiedis could be mentioning how Hamlet’s life, in a million shades of blue (as is the sea), is through and over with. And the rest is silent. Another thing to note about this song is how it is set to a very upbeat ska rhythm. This could show irony, reinforcing the theme of finding pleasure in pain, which is the only way to actually find joy in life it seems. I don't think that made any sense, but whatever....