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Give It Away Analysis

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“Give it Away”: Life Lessons from Nina Hagen The Red Hot Chili Peppers, formerly known as Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem, are a funk and punk rock band that was founded in 1983. Although the members have changed numerous times during their almost 35-year span of success, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have been known to be provocative at performances and frequently utilize sexual innuendos in both lyrics and music videos. This is simply part of who they are as a band. Consequently, fans can be blinded by the energy and upbeat instruments to the extent that they may miss what is being said in the lyrics. This is certainly the case in the Red Hot Chili Peppers 1991 hit song, “Give It Away.” Fans may think that lead singer Anthony Kiedis is talking about sex when he repeats, “What I’ve got you’ve got to get it put it in you,” but he is referring to giving away material belongings as the primary message (Red Hot Chili Peppers, l. 5). It is easy to get caught up in the exuberance of the band during a performance and miss the key lyrics that give a song’s meaning away. The refrain is a key giveaway for the true meaning of “Give It Away.” Kiedis repeats, “Give it away give it away give it away give it away now” numerous times throughout the song (l. 13). This is where he is literally referring to giving material possessions to others and sharing the wealth to make the world a better place. Gaining all the wealth in the world can’t fill voids in a person’s

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