• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Musicaroo

Learn to Make Music Like a Pro

  • Home
  • Singing
    • Learn To Sing Better
      • Best Online Singing Lessons
      • 30 Day Singer Review (Free Trial Available)
      • Christina Aguilera Masterclass Review
      • Roger Love Singing Academy Review
      • Singorama Review
      • The Vocalist Studio Review
    • Microphone Buying Guides
      • Best Mic For Live Vocals
      • Best Mic For Recording Vocals
      • Best Mic For Rap
      • Best USB Mic For Vocals
      • Blue Yeti Vs AT2020
      • AKG C414 XLII Review
      • Audio-Technica AT2035 Review
      • Neumann TLM 103 Review
      • Rode NT1-A Review
      • Sennheiser e945 Review
      • Shure SM7B Review
    • Best In-Ear Monitors For Singers
    • Preamp Buying Guides
      • Best Mic Preamp For Vocals
      • Avalon VT-737SP Review
      • Behringer XENYX 1202FX Review
      • DBX 286S Review
      • Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Review
      • Grace Design m101 Review
      • Pre-73 Jr Review
      • TubeOpto 8 Review
      • Warm Audio TB12 Review
  • Guitar
    • Buying Guides
      • Best Baritone Guitars
      • Best Bass Guitars
      • Best Bass Practice Amps
      • Best Combo Amps For Metal
      • Best Electric Guitars
      • Best Metal Guitars
      • Best Electric Guitar Amps
    • Bass Guitar Reviews
      • Fender American Performer Review
      • Gretsch G2220 Review
      • Ibanez GSRM20 Review
      • Squier Bronco Review
      • Sterling Ray34 Review
      • Yamaha TRBX 504 Review
    • Guitar Reviews
      • ESP LTD Eclipse EC-256 Review
      • Jackson JS32 Review
      • Les Paul Studio LT Review
      • Ibanez Gio GRX70 Review
      • Ibanez Prestige RG5120M Review
      • Squier Bullet Strat Review
      • Sterling MAJ100 Review
      • Synyster Gates Custom-S Review
      • Yamaha Pacifica Review
    • Guitar Amp Reviews
      • Bugera Infinium V5 Review
      • EVH 5150 III EL34 Review
      • Fender Mustang LT-25 Review
      • Fender Super Champ X2 Review
      • Line 6 Spider V 20 Review
      • Peavey Vypyr VIP 2 Review
      • Yamaha THR10II Review
    • Learn To Play Guitar
    • Tips and Advice
  • Violin
    • Buying Guides
      • Best Electric Violin
      • Best Violins For Beginners
      • Best Violin Bow
      • Best Violin Case
      • Best Violin Rosin
      • Best Violin Shoulder Rest
      • Best Violin Strings
      • Best Violin Tuner
    • Reviews
      • Bunnel Clearance Violin Review
      • Bunnel EDGE Review
      • Bunnel NEXT Review
      • Bunnel Pupil Violin Review
      • Cecilio CEVN-2 Review
      • Cecilio CVN-300 Review
      • Cremona SV500 Review
      • D Z Strad Model 101 Review
      • Mendini MV500 Review
      • NS Design WAV5 Review
      • Ricard Bunnel G2 Review
      • Yamaha SV-200 Review
      • Yamaha YEV-105 Review
    • Tips and Advice
  • Trumpet
    • Buying Guides
      • Best Trumpets
      • Best Pocket Trumpet
      • Best Plastic Trumpet
      • Best Trumpet Mouthpiece
      • Best Valve Oil For Trumpet
      • Best Mic For Trumpet Recording
    • Reviews
      • Allora MXPT 5801 Review
      • Bach TR300H2 Review
      • Carol Brass CPT-3000 Review
      • Eastar ETR-380 Review
      • Jean Paul TR-430 Review
      • Jupiter JTR710 Review
      • Mendini By Cecilio Review
      • Mendini MPTL Review
      • Sky Band Bb Review
      • Yamaha YTR-2330 Review
    • Tips and Advice
  • DJing
    • How To Become A DJ
    • Equipment For Beginners
    • Learn To DJ
    • Set Up DJ Website
    • Get First DJ Gig
    • Grow DJ Career
  • Great Music
    • Bands Like…
    • Great Songs About Things
    • Song Meanings
    • 27 Great, Forgotten 90s Songs
    • Best Karaoke Songs (Easy To Sing And Sound Like A Star)
    • Songs To Sing To Your Girlfriend
You are here: Home / Song Meanings

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

March 30, 2023 By Camila Leave a Comment

Scar Tissue Lyrics MeaningI 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.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Scar Tissue Lyrics And Meaning
    • 1.1 Scar Tissue Lyrics
      • 1.1.1 Verse 1
      • 1.1.2 Chorus
      • 1.1.3 Verse 2
      • 1.1.4 Chorus
      • 1.1.5 Verse 3
      • 1.1.6 Chorus
      • 1.1.7 Verse 4
      • 1.1.8 Chorus
      • 1.1.9 Verse 1
      • 1.1.10 Chorus
    • 1.2 Scar Tissue Meaning
      • 1.2.1 Musical Composition
  • 2 Scar Tissue Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts

 

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.

The bass line provides a solid foundation for the track, adding depth and richness to the overall arrangement.

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.

You Might Also Like

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Posts

Songs About Going Insane And Being Crazy

17 Songs About Going Insane And Being Crazy (Musical Insanity!)

What Guitar Pedals Do I Need

What Guitar Pedals Do I Need? (The 7 Most Useful Effects Pedals)

Songs About Depression And Loneliness

16 Songs About Depression And Loneliness (Sadness Is Easier With Music)

Can You Plug Headphones Into A Guitar

Can You Plug Headphones Into A Guitar? (Not A Simple Yes Or No)

What Do You Need To Play An Electric Guitar

What Do You Need To Play An Electric Guitar? (Minimum & Ideal Rigs)

Footer

Important Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclosure

Search

Disclosure

Some recommended products may use affiliate links. musicaroo.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

*Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates

Copyright © 2023 · Musicaroo · All rights reserved.