Most of the tracks included in One Hot Minute, the sixth studio album by Red Hot Chili Peppers, are permeated with melancholy and a sense of hopelessness. Composition Airplane seems to be almost the only bright spot on the record, but even this song, if you read the lyrics, can hardly be called life-affirming.
Let’s try to figure out what the author wanted to say when he called music his airplane.
The Story of Airplane by Red Hot Chili Peppers
The “music is my airplane” refrain clearly refers listeners to the blues classic Jesus Is My Air-O-Plane from the 1920s, which talks about Jesus lifting up his followers.
In the creation of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the place of the Savior was taken by music that has the same effect on the band members. This is how they explained the meaning of the track, talking about what the song Airplane is about in an interview available on the hits compilation DVD.
However, some lines of the lyrics are suggestive of drugs and the role they played in the lives of the musicians. Similar allusions can be seen in the phrases “I like pleasure riddled with pain” (intravenous heroin use) or “sitting in the kitchen, I turn to dust again” (Keedis often injected himself in the kitchen).
The second verse also contains a reference to the song “Into Dust” by the American band Mazzy Star.
Release and achievements
Recording the composition in the studio was not without difficulties for bass player Flea. He later recalled:
Airplane was the only song I was worried about. I thought it sounded like another white jerk trying to play funk! I wrote it down anyway, but it was the only thing I went back to to make corrections. When I played it live with the band in the studio, for some reason the bass didn’t want to record properly, so it was one of the few things I had to use an overdub on.
Bass player
In March 1996, the song was released as the third single from One Hot Minute and peaked at number eight on the Modern Rock Chart.
Video of Airplane by Red Hot Chili Peppers
The music video for the song was revealed at the same time as the song’s release. Next, you can watch the online clip of Airplane RHCP.
Questions and answers
Here is a short FAQ about the Airplane RHCP track.
Who sings the song Airplane?
- American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Who wrote the song Airplane?
- All RHCP participants are listed as co-authors.
What is the song Airplane about?
- The authors make it clear that music lifts them to heaven, like the Savior.
What album is the track Airplane from?
- The song was included in the album One Hot Minute (1995). It was released as a single.
Interesting Facts
- The video featured Clara, the daughter of bass player Flea, and the children from her group in kindergarten.
- The song was not included in the Greatest Hits compilation, but the accompanying DVD includes a music video for Airplane.
- The band hasn’t played this song live since the late nineties.
Airplane Lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers
chorus:
I like pleasure spiked with pain
and music is my airplane
It’s my airplane
Songbird sweet and sour Jane
and music is my airplane
It’s my airplane
Pleasure spiked with pain
that mother f***er always spiked with pain
Looking in my own eyes (hello)
I can’t find the love I want
someone better slap me
Before I start to rust
Before I start to decompose
Looking in my rearview mirror
Looking in my rearview mirror
I can make it disappear
I can make it disappear
have no fear
Sitting in my kitchen (hey girl)
I’m turning into dust again
My melancholy baby
The star of mazzy must
Push her voice inside of me
I’m overcoming gravity
I’m overcoming gravity
It’s easy when you’re sad to be
It’s easy when you’re sad
Said ’bout me
Just one note
Could make me float
Could make me float away
One note from
The song she wrote
Could f*** me where I lay
Just one note
Could make me choke
One note that’s
Not a lie
Just one note
could cut my throat
One could make me die
Lyrics of Airplane by Red Hot Chili Peppers Alternate
Chorus:
I like pleasure riddled with pain
And music is my airplane
This is my airplane
Melodious trill of a bird and sad Jane,
And music is my airplane
This is my airplane
Pleasure riddled with pain
This shit is always riddled with pain
Looking into your eyes (hello)
I can’t find the love I want
Better let somebody hit me
Before I start to rust
Before I start to rot
Looking in the rearview mirror
Looking in the rearview mirror
I can make it disappear
I can make it disappear
Don’t be afraid
Sitting in the kitchen (hello baby)
I turn to dust again
My sad baby
Star Muzzy must
Shove her voice into me
I overcome gravity
I overcome gravity
It’s easy when you’re sad
It’s easy when you’re sad
What can you say about me
Just one note
Can make me soar
Can make me soar, floating away
One note from
The songs she wrote
Can f*** me right where I lay
Just one note
Can make me choke
One note that
Not lying
Just one note
Can cut my throat
One can make me die
