Tell Me Baby Lyrics

[Verse 1: Anthony Kiedis]
They come from every state to find
Some dreams were meant to be declined
Tell the man, what did you have in mind?
What have you come to do?
No turning water into wine
No learning while you're in the line

I'll take you to the broken sign
You see, these lights are blue

[Bridge 1: Anthony Kiedis]
Come and get it, lost it at the city limit
Say goodbye, 'cause they will find a way to trim it
Everybody lookin' for a silly gimmick
Gotta get away, can't take it for another minute

[Pre-Chorus 1: Anthony Kiedis]
This town is made of many things
Just look at what the current brings
So high, it's only promising
This place was made on you

[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Tell me, baby, what's your story?
Where you come from and where you wanna go this time? Aw

Tell me, lover, are you lonely?
The thing we need is never all that hard to find, aw
Tell me, baby, what's your story?
Where do you come from and where you wanna go this time? Aw

You're so lovely, are you lonely?
Oh, giving up on the innocence you left behind
[Verse 2: Anthony Kiedis]
Some claim to have the fortitude
Too shrewd to blow the interlude
Sustaining pain to set a mood
Step out to be renewed
I'll move you like a baritone
Jungle Brothers on the microphone
Getting over with an undertone
It's time to turn to stone

[Bridge 2: Anthony Kiedis]
Chitty-chitty, baby, when your nose is in the nitty-gritty
Life could be a little sweet, but life could be a little shitty
What a pity, Boston and a Kansas City
Looking for a hundred, but you only ever found a fitty

[Pre-Chorus 2: Anthony Kiedis]
Three fingers in the honeycomb
You ring just like a xylophone
Devoted to the chromosome
The day that you left home

[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Tell me, baby, what's your story?
Where you come from and where you wanna go this time? Oh

Tell me, lover, are you lonely?

The thing we need is never all that hard to find, oh
Tell me, baby, what's your story?
Where you come from and where you wanna go this time? Oh

You're so lovely, are you lonely?
Oh, giving up on the
innocence you left behind
Behind!
[Guitar Solo: John Frusciante]

[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Tell me, baby, what's your story?
Where you come from and where you wanna go this time? Oh

Tell me, lover, are you lonely?

The thing we need is never all that hard to find, oh
Tell me, baby, what's your story?
Where you come from and where you wanna go this time? Oh

You're so lovely, are you lonely?
Oh, giving up on the
innocence you left behind

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About

Genius Annotation

This song was written about the suffering people face when they search for fame and fortune. Since songwriter Anthony Kiedis lived in Hollywood and Los Angeles for most of his life, he has said he’s seen many young people come to California looking to become famous.

Kiedis describes that most of their dreams are shattered, as stated in the lines “They come from every state to find; some dreams were meant to be declined”, and “Looking for a hundred but you only ever found a fifty.”

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Does this track have any RIAA certifications?
Genius Answer

Yes. “Tell Me Baby” was certified gold by the RIAA on August 18th, 2008.

What did Red Hot Chili Peppers say about "Tell Me Baby"?
Genius Answer

Credits
Produced By
Background Vocals
Mixing Engineer
Bass
Lead Vocals
Recorded At
The Mansion, LA, California
Release Date
July 17, 2006
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