Cover art for Hey by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Hey

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In late 2005, while the band were still working on Stadium Arcadium, lead singer Anthony Kiedis had a temporarily split with his then girlfriend, Heather Christie. The… Read More

May. 5, 20061 viewer58.5K views

Hey Lyrics

[Verse 1: Anthony Kiedis]
Won't somebody come along and teach me how to keep it alive to survive?
Come along and show me something that I never knew in your eyes
Take away the tourniquet

[Pre-Chorus: Anthony Kiedis]
I used to be so full of my confidence
I used to know just what I wanted and just where to go
More than ever I could use a coincidence
But, now I walk alone and talk about it when I know

[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess I ought to walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?

[Guitar Solo (1/3): John Frusciante]

[Post-Chorus: Anthony Kiedis]
I don't wanna have to, but I will, if that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill, but that's what I'm about to do

[Verse 2: Anthony Kiedis]
Let it on, I'll cut you off when you're screaming into the phone
Hard to own
Anyway, I wanna let you know that everything is on hold
What you gonna do to me?

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[Pre-Chorus: Anthony Kiedis]
You used to be so warm and affectionate
All the little things I used to hear my fairy say
But, now you're quick to get into your regret
I'll take the fall and now you got to give it all away

[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess I ought to walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?

[Guitar Solo (2/3): John Frusciante]

[Post-Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
I don't wanna have to, but I will, if that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill, but that's what I'm about to do
I don't wanna have to, but I will, if that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill, but that's what I'm about to do

[Bridge: Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante, Both]
(Hey) Hey, what would you say if I stayed?
Stayed for a while, if I may (Oh)
Say it again and I'll come around, but not for the last time
(Hey) Hey, what would you say if I changed?
I'll change everything but my name (Oh)
Play it again and I'll come around, come around
But not for the last time, not for the last time

[Guitar Solo (3/3): John Frusciante]

[Pre-Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
You used to be so warm and affectionate
I used to know just what I wanted and just where to go
And now you're quick to get into your regret
And now I walk alone and talk about it when I know

[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta get away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?

About

In late 2005, while the band were still working on Stadium Arcadium, lead singer Anthony Kiedis had a temporarily split with his then girlfriend, Heather Christie. The lyrics might express what he was feeling towards her at that moment, mirroring how she stopped making him feel like he’s the only one trying to keep the relationship alive. In the end, he’s willing to reconsider, even change for her, but realizes that it’s not going to happen and the only solution is to walk away.

After the couple split, Kiedis reportedly dated model Jessica Stam, only for him to reunite with Christie early in 2006. In the following year, Heather became pregnant with the couple’s child.

This closing track of Jupiter, the first disc off Stadium Arcadium, is not limited to romance, though. It pretty much sums up the connections we make with one another that we just aren’t sure of. It’s not only a tale of love, but also the confusions we have of meeting someone new.