“Scar Tissue” Lyrics & Meaning (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

I remember when I first heard Scar Tissue.

I was in graduate school at the time (yes, I’m dating myself).

I didn’t even realize it was the Red Hot Chili Peppers the first few times I heard the song.

It was just so different from their previous albums.

And when it came to the Scar Tissue lyrics meaning, I had no idea what they were singing about.

Now I do know. But some of the lines in the song are still a bit cryptic.

Keep reading to learn the meaning of the Scar Tissue lyrics. We’ll also talk a bit about the way the musical composition reflects and enhances the lyrical content.

 

Scar Tissue Lyrics And Meaning

The Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in 1983 in Los Angeles, California. Their music incorporates a fusion of punk rock, funk, and psychedelic rock elements. Earlier albums delved more into psychedelic and funk areas, but that changed in 1999, with the release of Californication.

It was their seventh studio album and it marked the return of guitarist John Frusciante, after a five-year hiatus.

The album ended up being the band’s best selling of all time, which was a big change from their previous flop One Hot Minute. John Frusciante is simply a better fit with the band than Dave Navarro, who had replaced him.

Scar Tissue was the first single from the album. It was a big hit. It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and occupied the top spot on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for 16 consecutive weeks. That was a record at the time.

Critics loved the song, too, praising its emotional depth and musical simplicity. Scar Tissue even earned the band a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2000. To this day, it is one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ most iconic songs.

Next, we have the music video for the song and the lyrics in full. Below, we dive into the meaning of the Scar Tissue lyrics.

 

Scar Tissue Lyrics

Verse 1

Scar tissue that I wish you saw
Sarcastic mister know-it-all
Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you
‘Cause with the birds I’ll share

Chorus

With the birds, I’ll share this lonely view
With the birds, I’ll share this lonely view

Verse 2

Ah, push me up against the wall
Young Kentucky girl in a push-up bra
Ah, fallin’ all over myself
To lick your heart and taste your health, ’cause

Chorus

With the birds (Share this lone—), I’ll share this lonely view
With the birds (Share this lone—), I’ll share this lonely view
With the birds (Share this lone—), I’ll share this lonely view

Verse 3

Blood loss in a bathroom stall
A southern girl with a scarlet drawl
I wave good-bye to Ma and Pa
‘Cause with the birds I’ll share

Chorus

With the birds (Share this lonely), I’ll share this lonely view
With the birds (Share this lonely), I’ll share this lonely view

Verse 4

Soft-spoken with a broken jaw
Step outside but not to brawl and
Autumn’s sweet, we call it fall
I’ll make it to the moon if I have to crawl and

Chorus

(I will share this lonely)
With the birds, I’ll share this lonely view
(I will share this lonely)
With the birds, I’ll share this lonely view
(I will share this lonely)
With the birds, I’ll share this lonely view

Verse 1

Scar tissue that I wish you saw
Sarcastic mister know-it-all
Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you
‘Cause with the birds I’ll share

Chorus

(I will share this lonely)
With the birds, I’ll share this lonely view
(I will share this lonely)
With the birds, I’ll share this lonely view
(I will share this lonely)
With the birds, I’ll share this lonely view

 

Scar Tissue Meaning

Like many songs Scar Tissue can mean different things to different people. But the basic meaning has to do with the hidden emotional pain we all carry around with us and overcoming our demons.

The idea of scar tissue serves as a metaphor for something that was once damaged, but has now healed. However, it can never completely heal. Scars will always remain, just like the effects of hardships in our lives remain long after the hardships have passed.

But we got past those hardships and are now happy to be alive. And that is where the song comes in. It is the reason it is actually a happy tune. You made it out from under the difficulties and are now just enjoying life.

RHCP singer Anthony Kiedis has said that his past trauma has to do with his heroin use. The line “scar tissue that I wish you saw” illustrates his desire to share his pain with others. But he can only share it with the birds. He always hid his pain behind sarcasm.

At the same time, those birds now come to symbolize a relative peace. He is still alone in understanding his own trauma, just as most of us carry our past wounds alone inside us. But now he is at peace with that and just happy to listen to the birds.

Many of the lines in the song are a bit cryptic, but they seem to refer to experiences a drug addict might have, like risky sexual encounters or shooting up in a bathroom stall.

 

Musical Composition

Scar Tissue uses a distinct melody and harmony which somehow lend the song both a happy and a sad quality at the same time. The song’s main melody is played on guitar, featuring simple, yet emotional phrases that create a sense of melancholy throughout the track

The harmony relies on the interplay between the guitar, bass, and vocals. There is plenty of space for each instrument to contribute to the overall sound, while still maintaining a sense of cohesion.

The chord progression consists mainly of major and minor chords, which add to the song’s bittersweet atmosphere. The interplay between the melody and harmony lines creates a sense of tension and resolve that mirrors the same contrast explained above in the lyrics.

The instruments used in the song are the electric guitar, bass, and drums. And a shaker. The song starts with a clean, smooth guitar riff accompanied by a laid-back drum pattern, creating a calm and soothing atmosphere.

Flea’s bass line provides a solid foundation for the track, adding depth and richness to the overall arrangement. The fact that he can take a back seat when needed is a big reason he is considered a top bass guitarist.

As the song progresses, subtle layers of additional instrumentation are introduced to enhance the atmosphere, such as a second guitar track providing counter-melodies and additional harmonies.

The vocal arrangement also plays a crucial role in the song’s composition, with lead singer Anthony Kiedis delivering his lyrics with an introspective, almost whispered tone that complements the theme of the song.

The blend of instrumentation and arrangement not only supports the song’s lyrical content, but also adds to its overall impact and emotional resonance.

 

Scar Tissue Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts

Scar Tissue was a big departure from the sound of the Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ previous albums. The whole Californication album was but Scar Tissue led the way as the first single.

I always enjoyed the contrast of the somewhat happy and upbeat parts combined with the underlying melancholic feel. Even back when I had no idea what the Scar Tissue lyrics meaning actually was. Now that I know, it all first perfectly together!

Another song with a bit of a melancholic feel and many possible interpretations comes from Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Read our breakdown of the Blue on Black lyrics meaning for more.

We also included songs by the Red Hot Chili Peppers in our articles listing songs about ghosts and songs about airplanes and flying, so you may want to check those out. I’m sure you can guess which song made the flying list, but can you also guess the ghost one?