Blood Sugar Sex Magik
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2008-07-14T08:09:04Z
Indopug
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/* Blood Sugar Sex Magik tour and Frusciante's departure */
{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = Blood Sugar Sex Magik
| Type = studio
| Artist = [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]
| Cover = RHCP-BSSM.jpg
| Released = [[September 23]], [[1991]] <small>(EU)</small><br />[[September 24]], [[1991]] <small>(U.S.)</small>
| Recorded = May 1991 – June 1991 at [[The Mansion]] in [[Los Angeles, California]]
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[funk rock]]
| Length = 73:55
| Label = [[Warner Music Group|Warner Bros.]]
| Producer = [[Rick Rubin]]
| Reviews =
*[[Allmusic]] {{rating-5|4.5}} [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3kqag40ttv1z link]
*''[[Rolling Stone]]'' {{rating-5|4}} [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/redhotchilipeppers/albums/album/308371/review/5940552/blood_sugar_sex_magik link]
| Last album = ''[[Mother's Milk]]''<br />(1989)
| This album = '''''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'''''<br />(1991)
| Next album = ''[[One Hot Minute]]''<br />(1995)
| Misc = {{Singles
| Name = Blood Sugar Sex Magik
| Type = studio
| single 1 = [[Give It Away]]
| single 1 date = 1991
| single 2 = [[Under the Bridge]]
| single 2 date = 1991
| single 3 = [[Suck My Kiss]]
| single 3 date = 1992
| single 4 = [[Breaking the Girl]]
| single 4 date = 1992
| single 5 = [[If You Have to Ask]]
| single 5 date = 1993
}}
}}
'''''Blood Sugar Sex Magik''''' is the fifth studio album by [[United States|American]] [[alternative rock]] band [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], released on [[September 24]], [[1991]]. Produced by [[Rick Rubin]], it was the band's first record released on [[Warner Bros. Records]]. The musical styles of ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' differed notably from the techniques employed on the Chili Peppers' preceding album, ''[[Mother's Milk]]'', and featured little use of [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] guitar riffs. The album's subject matter incorporated sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death as well as themes of lust and exuberance.
The album has sold over seven million copies in the United States alone and became the Chili Peppers' introduction into popularity and critical acclaim. ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' produced many hits for the band, including "[[Give It Away]]", "[[Under the Bridge]]", "[[Suck My Kiss]]", and "[[Breaking the Girl]]". The record also marked the departure of guitarist [[John Frusciante]] mid-tour in 1992, until his return in 1998. ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' was praised as a foundation for alternative rock in the 1990s, with Steve Huey of [[Allmusic]] commenting that the record was "...probably the best album the Chili Peppers will ever make."<ref name=AMGBSSM>{{Cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:g9fpxqt5ldke|title=''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' Review|author=Steve Huey|accessdate=2007-07-21|publisher=Allmusic}}</ref>
==Background==
In 1988, the band's guitarist [[Hillel Slovak]] died of a [[heroin]] overdose. Drummer [[Jack Irons]] subsequently quit, leaving vocalist [[Anthony Kiedis]] and bassist [[Flea (musician)|Flea]] to search for a new guitarist and drummer.<ref name=rhcpbio>{{Cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:difrxqr5ldje~T1|title=Red Hot Chili Peppers Biography|accessdate=2007-07-22|publisher=Allmusic}}</ref><ref name=pp220> Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 220–229</ref> As an avid fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Frusciante expressed interest in joining the band, but former [[P-Funk]] guitarist [[DeWayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight]] had already been chosen to fill Slovak's place.<ref name=p230>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 230</ref><ref name=vh1rhcp>[[VH1|VH1's]] [[Behind the Music]]: [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] - 2002</ref> When the chemistry between McKnight and the rest of the band was determined to be nonexistent, he was fired.<ref name=p229>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 229</ref> During that time, Frusciante was about to become a part of [[Thelonious Monster]], a [[punk rock]] band formed by [[Bob Forrest]]; however, he was asked by Flea to join the Chili Peppers and accepted instantly.<ref name=vh1rhcp><ref name=p232>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 232</ref> Drummer [[Chad Smith]] joined the band two weeks prior to pre-production of ''Mother's Milk'', following unsuccessful open-auditions.<ref name=p233>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 233</ref> ''Mother's Milk'' would become the band's second album to enter in the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], peaking at number 52.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/more.jsp?tp=albums&pid=5507&aid=14133 | title=Mother's Milk | accessdate=2007-06-07 | publisher=''Billboard Magazine''}}</ref> Although the record was mildly successful, production was weighed down by producer [[Michael Beinhorn]]. He convinced Frusciante to play with an overall heavier tone, and instructed Kiedis to write lyrics that would be more radio viable, thus causing the band to feel restricted creatively.<ref name=vh1rhcp/><ref name=pp240>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. pp. 240–4</ref>
As the Chili Peppers' contract with [[EMI]] came to an end, they began looking for a new record company to release their next album. The group reached a consensus to go with [[Sony BMG|Sony BMG/Epic]], with the proviso that they buy out their last album from EMI.<ref name=p260> Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 260</ref> Even though the label promised it would take only a few days, the process stretched out into several months.<ref name=p260/> Although a deal had been made with Sony/Epic, [[Mo Ostin]] of [[Warner Bros. Records]] called Kiedis to congratulate him on the successful deal, and complimented the rival record label.<ref name=p261> Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 261</ref> Kiedis recalled of the situation: "The coolest, most real person we had met during all these negotiations had just personally called to encourage me to make a great record for a rival company. That was the kind of guy I'd want to be working for."<ref name=pp261> Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. pp. 261–262</ref> Kiedis pursued the idea, and eventually dropped the contract with Sony in favor of a deal with Warner Bros. Ostin called an old friend at EMI, who immediately allowed for the label transfer.<ref name=vh1rhcp/><ref name=pp261/>
==Recording and production==
Now settled into Warner Bros. records, the Chili Peppers began looking for a suitable producer. One person in particular, Rick Rubin, stood out, as he was more broadminded in contrast to individuals they had worked with in the past.<ref name=p257>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 257</ref> Eventually, the band decided that he would be the best choice as a producer, and therefore hired him to produce what would become ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik''. Unlike the Peppers' previous producers, Rubin was someone that they felt confident to ask for guidance and input during times of difficulty. He would often help arrange drum beats, guitar melodies and lyrics.<ref name=vh1rhcp/><ref name=pp270>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. pp. 270–280</ref>
The band sought to record the album in an unconventional setting, believing it would enhance their creative output. Rubin suggested [[The Mansion|the mansion]] magician [[Harry Houdini]] once lived in, to which they agreed. A crew was hired to set up a recording studio and other equipment required for production in the house. The band decided that they would remain inside the mansion for the duration of recording, though Smith, convinced the location was haunted, refused to stay.<ref name=pp274>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. pp. 274–275</ref><ref name=p275>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 275</ref> He would, instead, come each day by [[motorcycle]].<ref name=p275/><ref name=funkymonks>Red Hot Chili Peppers; ''Funky Monks''</ref> Frusciante agreed with Smith, and said "There are definitely ghosts in the house"; but unlike Smith, Frusciante felt they were "very friendly. We [the band] have nothing but warm vibes and happiness everywhere we go in this house."<ref>Apter, 2004. p. 225</ref>
Frusciante, Kiedis, and Flea each had their own separate rooms at each end of the house. When not recording with the band, Frusciante would spend his time painting, listening to music, reading, and recording songs he had written.<ref name=pp274/> Due to the seclusion, Kiedis ended up recording all his vocals in his room, as it was large enough to accommodate the recording equipment.<ref name=pp274/> For over thirty days, the Chili Peppers worked inside the house; Kiedis felt it was an accommodating and resourceful environment which allowed him to complete the rest of the lyrics.<ref name=funkymonks/> During production, the Chili Peppers agreed to let Flea's brother-in-law document the creative process on film.<ref name=p275/> When the album's recording was complete, the Chili Peppers released the film, entitled ''[[Funky Monks]]''.
==Writing and composition==
''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' was written at a more rapid pace than the band's previous album.<ref name=p264>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 264</ref> Prior to the Chili Peppers moving into the mansion, Frusciante and Kiedis collaborated together at each other's homes, in order to arrange song structures and guitar riffs.<ref>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 263–267</ref> They would then present ideas to Flea and Smith, and the band would, as a whole, decide what they would use for the bass, guitar, vocal, and percussion ensembles.
Kiedis focused lyrically on sexual references and innuendos as they were constantly on his mind.<ref>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 266</ref> Songs such as "Suck My Kiss", "If You Have to Ask", "Sir Psycho Sexy", "Give It Away" and "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" all contained various sexual links, with lyrics like "A state of sexual light / Kissing her virginity / My affinity", and "Glorious euphoria / Is my must / Erotic shock / Is a function of lust."
<ref>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. pp. 260–275</ref> The concept behind "The Greeting Song" was a request by Rubin, who asked Kiedis to write a song solely about girls and cars. Although Kiedis disliked the concept, he wrote the song as Rubin requested and ended up hating nearly every aspect of the lyrics.<ref name=p264/> Kiedis also began to write about anguish, and the self mutilating thoughts he would experience as a result of his [[heroin]] and [[cocaine]] addiction; he believed his life had come to its lowest point under a bridge in downtown [[Los Angeles|LA]].<ref name=rollingstonearticle>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/redhotchilipeppers/articles/story/5938432/the_naked_truth|title=The Naked Truth|author=David Fricke|accessdate=2007-08-10|publisher=''Rolling Stone''}}</ref><ref name=pp265>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. pp. 265–266</ref> Over a month later, Rubin stumbled upon a poem that would become the lyrics to "Under the Bridge", and suggested Kiedis show it to the rest of the band. Kiedis was, however, apprehensive because he believed the lyrics to be "too soft" and unlike the band's style. After singing the verse to Frusciante, they began structuring the song the next day.<ref name=p267>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 267</ref> The two worked for several hours arranging chords and melodies until they both agreed it was complete.<ref name=p267/> Frusciante ultimately chose the chords he played in the intro to balance out the depressing atmosphere of the song: "my brain interpreted it as being a really sad song so I though if the lyrics are really sad like that I should write some chords that are happier."<ref name=underthebridgemaking>The Making of "Under the Bridge"; Red Hot Chili Peppers Greatest Hits</ref>
''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' integrated the band's typical punk and funk style, but moved away from this with more melodically driven songs.<ref name=AMGBSSM/> Tracks like "The Righteous and the Wicked", "Suck My Kiss", "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", "Give it Away", and "Funky Monks" still incorporated use of heavy metal guitar riffs, but differed from ''Mother's Milk'' in that they contained less [[distortion]].<ref>Apter, 2004. p. 288</ref> Flea, who had been playing the bass with a technique centered around "slapping", downplayed on this in favor of more traditional and melodic bass lines.<ref name=bassplayermag>Malandrone, Scott (October, 1995). "Flea Interview". ''Bass Player''.</ref> He also adopted a minimalist, "less is more", philosophy: "I was trying to play simply on ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' because I had been playing too much prior to that, so I thought, 'I've really got to chill out and play half as many notes'. When you play less, it's more exciting—there's more room for everything. If I do play something busy, it stands out, instead of the bass being a constant onslaught of notes. Space is good."<ref name=bassplayermag/> Kiedis felt that the album would expand the Chili Peppers' musical horizons, and that it was a departure from their previous material.<ref name=p271>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 271</ref> One of ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s more melodic tracks, "Breaking the Girl", was written about Kiedis' constantly shifting relationships. He feared that he was following in his father's footsteps and simply becoming a womanizer, rather than establishing stable and long-term relationships:<ref name=rollingstonearticle/> "...As exciting and temporarily fulfilling as this constant influx of interesting and beautiful girls can be, at the end of the day, that shit is lonely and you're left with nothing."<ref name=p271/> The track also featured a bridge in the middle, comprised of percussion instruments salvaged from a garbage dump.<ref name=p272>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 272</ref>
{{sample box start variation 2|''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' samples:}}
{{multi-listen start|Audio samples of:}}
{{multi-listen item|filename=Red Hot Chili Peppers - Give It Away.ogg|title="Give It Away"|description=Sample of "Give It Away", the first single from ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'', which combined funky guitar riffs and sexual references littered throughout the lyrics. |format=[[Ogg]]}}
{{multi-listen item|filename=Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge.ogg|title="Under the Bridge"|description=Sample of "Under the Bridge", the second single from ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'', which was a reflective and melodic ballad that would go on to become one of the defining songs of the nineties. |format=[[Ogg]]}}
{{multi-listen end}}
{{sample box end}}
Although [[Jam sessions|jams]] had always been an integral aspect of song creation for the Chili Peppers, ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' saw songs being created with more structure. One specific jam would lead to the breakout song on the album: Frusciante, Flea and Smith were all playing together—with Kiedis at another part of the room watching—when "...Flea started playing this insane bass line, and Chad cracked up and played along...I always had fragments of song ideas or even specific isolated phrases in my mind. I [Kiedis] took the mike and belted out 'Give it away, give it away, give it away, give it away now."<ref name=p272/> The philosophy behind the lyrics originated from a conversation Kiedis had with Nina Hagen, regarding selflessness and how insignificant material possessions were in his life. It, thus, gave birth to the song "Give It Away".<ref name=p272/> He had also been reminiscing about late Chili Peppers guitarist Hillel Slovak, composing "My Lovely Man" in his tribute.<ref name=rollingstonearticle/><ref name=p273>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 273</ref> Kiedis wrote "Sir Psycho Sexy" to be an over-zealous and overly exaggerated version of himself; a figure that could get any woman, and do anything he pleased to them.<ref name=p273/> "The Power of Equality" confronted topics concerning [[Egalitarianism|racial equality]], [[prejudice]] and [[sexism]].<ref name=scr>Kiedis, Sloman 2004. p. 275</ref> Kiedis wrote "I Could Have Lied" to document the brief relationship he had with Irish singer [[Sinéad O'Connor]].<ref name=scr/>
==Promotion and release==
''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' was released on [[September 24]], [[1991]]. It was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] just over two months later on [[November 26]], [[1991]], and certified platinum on [[April 1]], [[1992]]; since then it has gone seven times multi-platinum in the United States.<ref name="riaa">{{cite web|title=Gold and Platinum: Diamond Awards|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)|date=undated|url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblDiamond}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gold and Platinum: Searchable Database|publisher=RIAA|date=undated|url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref> The album peaked at number 3 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name=amgsinglecharts>{{Cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:difrxqr5ldje~T51|title=Red Hot Chili Peppers' singles charts|accessdate=2007-07-23|publisher=Allmusic}}</ref><ref name=billboard>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=305&cfgn=Albums&cfn=The+Billboard+200&ci=3012165&cdi=6609891&cid=04%2F25%2F1992|title=''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' charting|accessdate=2007-07-23|publisher=''Billboard''}}</ref> Originally, "Give it Away" did not fare well in the mainstream; several of Warner Bros.' target radio stations refused to air it, telling the band to "come back to us when you have a melody in your song."<ref name=p280>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 280</ref> [[KROQ-FM|KROQ]] (of [[Los Angeles]]), however, began to play the single several times daily, and that, according to Kiedis, "was the beginning of the infusion of 'Give It Away' into mass consciousness."<ref name=p281>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 281</ref> The single ultimately peaked at number 9 on the [[UK Top 40]] and number 73 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name=everyhit>{{Cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.com/|title=UK Top 40 Singles Chart|accessdate=2007-07-23|publisher=Everyhit.com}}</ref><ref name="Billboard singles">{{cite web| url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=5507&model.vnuAlbumId=815996|title=Red Hot Chili Peppers Artist Chart History: Singles| publisher=''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''| accessdate=2007-10-03}}</ref> ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' has sold twelve million copies, worldwide.<ref name=bssmsales>{{Cite web|url=http://top40.about.com/od/discographies/a/redhotdisc.htm|title=Red Hot Chili Peppers discography|accessdate=2007-09-12|publisher=Top40}}</ref>
Due to the success of "Give it Away", the band did not foresee "Under the Bridge" as being equally viable. Warner Bros. sent representatives to a Chili Peppers' concert in order to figure out what would ultimately be the next single. When Frusciante began playing "Under the Bridge", Kiedis missed his cue; the entire audience began singing the song, instead. Kiedis was initially "mortified that I had fucked up in front of Warner's people...I apologized for fucking up but they said 'Fucking up? Are you kidding me? When every single kid at the show sings a song, that's our next single."<ref name=ap235>Apter, 2004. pp. 284-285</ref> "Under the Bridge" was, therefore, selected as ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s second single. By January 1992, "Under the Bridge" had exploded, peaking at number 2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name=ap235/><ref name="Billboard singles"/>
To promote the album in Europe, Kiedis and Frusciante both agreed they would make the trip.<ref name=p280/> However, it proved difficult for Frusciante to adapt to life outside of the mansion, after being in near-seclusion for almost thirty days. Kiedis recalled of the situation: "He had such an outpouring of creativity while we were making that album that I think he really didn't know how to live life in tandem with that creativity."<ref name=p280/> It was also during this period when Frusciante began to experiment with [[heroin]], which further compromised his mental stability.<ref>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 290</ref> The European promotional trek took its toll on Frusciante, and he decided to return home when he and Kiedis reached [[London]].<ref name=p281/>
==Critical reception==
''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' was well received by critics, who praised the Chili Peppers for not overpowering the listener with [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] guitar riffs as their previous album had. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s Tom Moon credited Rick Rubin for the change in style; Rubin "[gave] the Chilis' dynamic."<ref name=rollingstonereview>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/308371/blood_sugar_sex_magik|title=''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' Review|author=Tom Moon|accessdate=2007-07-22|publisher=''Rolling Stone''}}</ref> He went on to praise the overall sound, which "displayed a growing curiosity about studio texture and nuance."<ref name=rollingstonereview/> Steve Huey of [[Allmusic]] said the album was "The Red Hot Chili Peppers' best album...John Frusciante's guitar is less overpoweringly noisy, leaving room for differing textures and clearer lines, while the band overall is more focused and less indulgent."<ref name=AMGBSSM/> He considered ''Blood Sugar'' to be "varying... it expands the group's musical and emotional range."<ref name=AMGBSSM/> ''[[Guitar Player]]'' magazine credited Frusciante with the Chili Peppers' drastic change in style: "by blending acid-rock, soul-funk, early art-rock, and blues style with a raw, unprocessed Strat-and-Marshall tone, [Frusciante] hit on an explosive formula that has yet to be duplicated."<ref name=guitarplayerreview>Di Perna, Allen (November, 1991). "''Blood Sugar Sex Magik''". ''Guitar Player''.</ref> Devon Powters of [[PopMatters]] said that "in one funked-out, fucked up, diabolical swoop, ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' reconfigured my relationship to music, to myself, to my culture and identity, to my race and class."<ref name=popmattersreview>{{Cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/r/redhotchilipeppers-blood.shtml|title=''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' review|author=Devon Powters|accessdate=2007-07-22|publisher=Pop Matters}}</ref> In an article published in ''[[The Tampa Tribune]]'', editor Philip Booth praised the record as "an ambitious effort that amounts to a culmination and blossoming of the musical forces that have been brewing in the band's sound since Kiedis and Flea birthed the band in 1983."<ref name=ttribune>Booth, Philip. "ChiliPeppers will sock it to ya." ''The Tampa Tribune''. August 21, 1992.</ref> Music critic [[Robert Christgau]] gave the album a two star honorable mention, one of his highest ratings. ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' is considered to be an influential album, throughout the nineties, by establishing itself as a fundamental foundation for alternative rock.<ref name=rhcpbio/><ref name=rollingstonereview/><ref name=popmattersreview/>
"Under the Bridge", which became a breakout song for the band, was considered to be a highlight of the album by several critics.<ref name=AMGBSSM/><ref name=rollingstonereview/><ref name=popmattersreview/> Allmusic reviewed the song individually and called it a "...poignant sentiment...it is self evident among the simple guitar which cradles the introductory verse, and the sense of fragility that is only doubled by the still down-tempo choral crescendo", and ultimately "has become an integral part of the 1990's alterna-landscape, and remains one of the purest diamonds that sparkle amongst the rough-hewn and rich funk chasms that dominate the Peppers' own oeuvre."<ref name=undrthebridge>{{Cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:3zfwxxlsld0e|title="Under the Bridge" song review|accessdate=2007-07-23|publisher=Allmusic}}</ref> However, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' criticized the seriousness that the Red Hot Chili Peppers explored as being "disapproving of the band's usual Red Hot antics", and "Under the Bridge" had "fancy-shmancy touches".<ref name=ewreview>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,315673,00.html|title=''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' Album Review|accessdate=2007-08-13|publisher=''Entertainment Weekly''}}</ref> The song ended up peaking at number 2 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in April 1992.<ref name=undrthebridge/> "Give It Away" was also praised, though as "...a free-associative mixture of positive vibes, tributes to musical heroes, and free love", with Frusciante "...adding the song's two most unpredictable change-ups: a sudden contrast to Kiedis' hyperactivity in the form of a languid solo pre-recorded and dubbed backwards over the rhythm track, and a hard-rocking riff which is not introduced until the song's outro..."<ref name=giveitaway>{{Cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:azfqxxlsld0e|title="Give It Away" song review|accessdate=2007-07-23|publisher=Allmusic}}</ref> Tracks such as "Sir Psycho Sexy", however, were criticized for being overly explicit. Devon Powters of Pop Matters said that "Eight minutes of 'Sir Psycho Sexy' will turn RHCP's young listeners into quivering masses of hormonal jello. Oversexed lines sneak their way into 'Apache Rose Peacock'; 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik', simply, sounds like fucking. Even the purest virgin comes away from ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' with a degree of sexual maturity; even the slickest playa can learn a couple of new moves."<ref name=popmattersreview/> In contrast, "Suck My Kiss", according to Amy Hanson of Allmusic, "completely flew in the face of the established pecking order of alternative rock."<ref name=suckmykiss>{{Cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:hzfqxxlsld0e|title="Suck My Kiss review|author=Hanson, Amy|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=2008-01-21}}</ref> With the song, the Chili Peppers "fully allied themselves with the very few genre-bending bands that were able to make a radical impact on the sonic landscape that was dominated, it seemed, from every angle by grunge."<ref name=suckmykiss/>
Years later, ''Blood Sugar'' was placed atop many "Best Of" lists, especially those pertaining to the 90s. ''[[Spin Magazine]]'' charted the album at number 58 on their "Top 90 Albums of the 90s", and number 11 on a similar list compiled by ''Pause & Play''.<ref name=p&p>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pauseandplay.com/1990s1.htm|title=The 90s Top 100 Essential Albums|accessdate=2007-08-10|publisher=''Pause & Play''}}</ref><ref name=spintop90>{{cite web | url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/spin100.html#Spin's Top 90 Albums of the 90's|title=Top 90 Albums of the 90s| accessdate=2007-08-11| publisher=''Spin''}}</ref> The record was placed in ''Guitarist Magazine'' "101 Essential Guitar Albums";<ref name=guitarist101>{{cite web | url=http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/061024/guitarist.htm| title=101 Essential Guitar Albums|accessdate=2007-08-11| publisher=''Guitarist Magazine''}}</ref> and included in the book ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''.<ref name=1001albums>Dimery, Robert. (November, 2006). ''1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die''. Universe Publishing.</ref> ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' also ranked number 310 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".<ref name=rstop500>{{cite web | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938174/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time/4|title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time|accessdate=2007-08-10 |publisher=''Rolling Stone''}}</ref>
==''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' tour and Frusciante's departure==
[[Image:Rhcplive1991.jpg|thumb|220px|right|[[Anthony Kiedis]] and [[John Frusciante]] performing live in 1991 during the ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' tour]]
Before the ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' tour began, Kiedis saw the music video for [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]' "[[Rhinoceros (song)|Rhinoceros]]" on MTV. He then called the band's manager and asked him to accommodate The Smashing Pumpkins for the tour.<ref name=p282>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 282</ref> Several days after the Pumpkins confirmed they would accompany the Chili Peppers, Jack Irons called and asked the band to allow his friend's new group, [[Pearl Jam]], to open for them on the forthcoming tour.<ref name=p282/> The first show following the release of ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' was at the Oscar Meyer Theater in Madison, Wisconsin,<ref name=p282/> which was met with positive reactions from the ''Milwaukee Journal'': "the audience was a swirling mass of airborne cups, ice cubes, shoes, shirts, pogo dancers, body-passers and stage divers. And it wasn't purely a boy's club in the moshpit—many females bought into the mayhem, stripping down to their bras and flinging themselves about madly as the band tore through 'Higher Ground', 'Suck My Kiss', and 'Give it Away', which was Goth-ed up by Frusciante when he added a riff from [[Black Sabbath]]'s '[[Sweet Leaf]]'."<ref>Apter, 2004. p. 237</ref> ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' began receiving heavy radio play and massive sales in the middle of their US tour. Frusciante, who preferred the Chili Peppers to remain in the underground music scene, entered a state of denial and depression because of this.<ref name=p284>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 284</ref> According to Kiedis, "He began to lose all of the manic, happy-go-lucky, fun aspects of his personality. Even onstage, there was a much more serious energy around him."<ref name=p284/> Frusciante was slowly slipping away from the band altogether, and began to form grudges against his fellow band mates.<ref name=vh1rhcp/><ref name=p284/> He saw the band's newfound popularity as shameful.<ref name=p284/>
Onstage tension began to grow between Kiedis and Frusciante.<ref name=vh1rhcp/> Kiedis recalled an argument after a show in [[New Orleans]]: "We had a sold-out house and John just stood in the corner, barely playing his guitar. We came offstage and John and I got into it."<ref name=p286>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 286</ref> With the Peppers now playing shows at arenas rather than theaters, the promoters of the tour decided that Pearl Jam should be replaced with a more successful act.<ref name=p286/> Kiedis contacted [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] drummer [[Dave Grohl]], and asked him if Nirvana would replace Pearl Jam on the tour—an offer Grohl accepted. The Smashing Pumpkins' [[Billy Corgan]], however, refused to play with Nirvana as he once dated frontman [[Kurt Cobain]]'s wife [[Courtney Love]]. The Pumpkins, therefore, left the concert bill and were replaced by Pearl Jam.<ref name=rhcpbio/><ref name=p288>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 288</ref> Their first show with Nirvana was at the L.A Sports Arena. Kiedis considered their act to be "raw energy; their musicality, their song selection, they were like a chain saw cutting through the night."<ref name=p288/> When the Red Hot Chili Peppers finished touring with Nirvana, they traveled to Europe, where Frusciante, in need of someone to connect to, brought along his girlfriend Toni Oswald. Kiedis said that "John had broken our unwritten rule of no spouses or girlfriends on the road."<ref name=p282/> Briefly interrupting the European-tour, the Chili Peppers flew to [[New York City]] and performed on an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''. The band played "Under the Bridge" as the second number; a performance that Kiedis felt was sabotaged by Frusciante:<ref>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. pp. 300–301</ref>
{{Cquote|[Frusciante] was experimenting the way he would have if we'd been rehearsing the tune. Well we weren't. We were on live TV in front of millions of people and it was torture. I started singing in what I thought was the key he was playing in. I felt like I was getting stabbed in the back and hung out to dry in front of all of America while this guy was off in a corner in the shadow, playing some dissonant out-of-tune experiment.}}
The band took a two-week hiatus between the European and Japanese legs of the tour, which began in May 1992. Minutes before the Chili Peppers were scheduled to perform in Tokyo, Frusciante refused to go on stage, claiming he quit the band.<ref name=vh1rhcp/><ref name=rollingstonearticle/><ref name=p295>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. p. 295</ref> After half an hour of coaxing, Frusciante agreed to play the show, though he asserted it would be his last. Kiedis recalled of the situation: "It was the most horrible show ever. Every single note, every single word, hurt, knowing that we were no longer a band. I kept looking over at John and seeing this dead statue of disdain...And that night, John disappeared from the topsy-turvy world of the Red Hot Chili Peppers."<ref name=p295/> The band hired guitarist [[Arik Marshall]] to complete the rest of the tour, which included [[Lollapolooza]] and several European festivals.<ref name=vh1rhcp/><ref name=pp298>Kiedis, Sloman, 2004. pp. 298–304</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/red_hot_chili_peppers/artist.jhtml|title=Artist Bio|accessdate=2007-07-23|publisher=MTV}}</ref> Marshall, however, was fired at the end of the tour.<ref name=pp298/>
== Artwork ==
[[Image:BSSMartwork.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Featured in the album cover booklet is a photographic collage of various tattoos the band members have.]]
All photography, paintings and art direction for ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' were credited to filmmaker [[Gus Van Sant]].<ref name=bssmartwork>''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' booklet and liner notes</ref> The cover of the album features the four band members' faces positioned around a [[rose]]. The lyrics are printed in white lettering across a black background, hand written by Kiedis.<ref name=bssmartwork/> The booklet also contains a collage of photos assembled to showcase the band members' various tattoos, which feature faces of Native American tribal leaders, animals and sea creatures, as well as various symbols and phrases. Photographs of each band member alone, and two photographs of the band as a whole are also included.<ref name=bssmartwork/>
Singles released to coincide with the album share little with ''Blood Sugar''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s artwork. The cover of "Give It Away" was a painting of a [[China|Chinese]] infant, surrounded by fish vegetables, fruits and [[sushi]]; "Under the Bridge" is a photograph of a bridge in the city of [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]; "Suck My Kiss" had a black and white photograph of the band, with Kiedis and Flea holding a large fish; and "Breaking the Girl" featured a painting of a human being covered in magma.
==Accolades==
The information regarding accolades attributed to ''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' is adapted in part from AcclaimedMusic.net.<ref name=accolades>{{Cite web|url=http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/061024/A829.htm|title=''Blood Sugar Sex Magik'' accolades|accessdate=2007-08-10|publisher=Acclaimed Music}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
! Publication
! Country
! Accolade
! Year
! Rank
|-
| ''Pause & Play''
| [[United States]]
| "The 90s Top 100 Essential Albums"<ref name=p&p/>
| 1999
| 11
|-
| ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| United States
| ''The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time''<ref name=rstop500/>
| 2003
| 310
|-
| ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| United States
| "Top 90 Albums of the 90s"<ref name=spintop90/>
| 1999
| 58
|-
| ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| [[United Kingdom]]
| "90 Albums of the 90s"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage2.html#Q%2090%20Of%20The%2090’s| title=90 Greatest Albums of the 90s|accessdate=2007-08-11| publisher=''Q'' magazine''}}</ref>
| 1999
| 58
|-
| ''Guitarist Magazine''
| United Kingdom
| "101 Essential Guitar Albums"<ref name=guitarist101/>
| 2000
| 11
|-
| ''Guitar World''
| United States
| "The 100 Greatest Guitar Albums of All Time"<ref>Apter, 2004. p. 256</ref>
| 2006
| 18
|-
| [[My Favourite Album]]
| Australia
| "Australia's Favourite Albums of All Time"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/myfavouritealbum/|title=Australia's Favourite Albums of All Time|accessdate=2007-10-20| publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia)}}</ref>
| 2006
| 8
|-
| [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]
| United States
| "The Definitive 200: Top 200 Albums of All-Time"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.definitive200.com/200_list.php|title= The Definitive 200: Top 200 Albums of All-Time|accessdate=2007-04-07|publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (United States)}}</ref>
| 2007
| 88
|-
|}
==Track listing==
All songs written by Red Hot Chili Peppers, except where noted.
# "The Power of Equality" – 4:03
# "[[If You Have to Ask]]" – 3:37
# "[[Breaking the Girl]]" – 4:55
# "Funky Monks" – 5:23
# "[[Suck My Kiss]]" – 3:37
# "I Could Have Lied" – 4:04
# "Mellowship Slinky in B Major" – 4:00
# "The Righteous & the Wicked" – 4:08
# "[[Give It Away]]" – 4:43
# "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" – 4:31
# "[[Under the Bridge]]" – 4:24
# "Naked in the Rain" – 4:26
# "Apache Rose Peacock" – 4:42
# "The Greeting Song" – 3:14
# "My Lovely Man" – 4:39
# "Sir Psycho Sexy" – 8:17
# "[[They're Red Hot]]" ([[Robert Johnson (musician)|Robert Johnson]]) – 1:11
===B-sides===
* "[[Search and Destroy (song)|Search and Destroy]]" ([[Iggy Pop]], [[James Williamson (musician)|James Williamson]]) – 3:34
* "[[Soul to Squeeze]]" – 4:50
* "Sikamikanico" – 3:23
* "Fela's Cock" – 5:10
* "[[Castles Made of Sand (song)|Castles Made of Sand]]" ([[Jimi Hendrix]]) – 3:18
* "Little Miss Lover" (Hendrix) – 2:38
==Personnel==
*[[Anthony Kiedis]] – lead vocals
*[[John Frusciante]] – guitar, background vocals
*[[Flea (musician)|Michael "Flea" Balzary]] – bass, background vocals
*[[Chad Smith]] – drums, percussion
*[[Rick Rubin]] – producer
*[[Gus Van Sant]] – art direction
*[[Brendan O'Brien (music producer)|Brendan O'Brien]] – keyboards, engineer
*Gail Frusciante and her friends – background vocals on "Under the Bridge"
==Chart positions==
===Album===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Chart
!style="width:5em;line-height:1.3"| Peak position
|-
| [[Billboard 200]]<ref name=billboard/>
| 3
|-
| [[UK Top 40]]<ref name=everyhit/>
| 5
|-
| Swedish Top 60<ref name="swedenalbum">{{Cite web|url=http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Red+Hot+Chili+Peppers&titel=Blood+Sugar+Sex+Magik&cat=a|title=Swedish album chart archives|accessdate=2007-07-20|publisher=hitparad.se}}</ref>
| 26
|-
| Austria<ref name="austria">{{Cite web|url=http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Red+Hot+Chili+Peppers&titel=Blood+Sugar+Sex+Magik&cat=a|title=Austrian Chart Archives|accessdate=2007-07-20|publisher=austriancharts.at}}</ref>
| 17
|-
| France<ref name="france">{{Cite web|url=http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Red+Hot+Chili+Peppers&titel=Blood+Sugar+Sex+Magik&cat=a|title=French Chart Archives|accessdate=2007-07-20|publisher=lescharts.com}}</ref>
| 71
|-
| Finland<ref name="finland">{{Cite web|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Red+Hot+Chili+Peppers&titel=Blood+Sugar+Sex+Magik&cat=a|title=Finnish Chart Archives|accessdate=2007-07-20|publisher=finnishcharts.com}}</ref>
| 16
|-
| Norway<ref name="norway">{{Cite web|url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Red+Hot+Chili+Peppers&titel=Blood+Sugar+Sex+Magik&cat=a|title=Norwegian Chart Archives|accessdate=2007-07-23|publisher=vg.no}}</ref>
| 5
|-
| Switzerland<ref name="switzerland">{{Cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Red+Hot+Chili+Peppers&titel=Blood+Sugar+Sex+Magik&cat=a|title=Swiss Chart Archives|accessdate=2007-07-20|publisher=hitparade.ch}}</ref>
| 10
|}
===Singles===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Single<ref name=amgsinglecharts/> !! Chart !! Peak position
|-
| 1991 || "[[Give It Away]]" || Modern Rock Tracks || 1
|-
| 1991 || "Give It Away" || The Billboard Hot 100 || 73
|-
| 1992 || "[[Under the Bridge]]" || The Billboard Hot 100 || 2
|-
| 1992 || "Under the Bridge" || Mainstream Rock Tracks || 2
|-
| 1992 || "Under the Bridge" || Modern Rock Tracks || 6
|-
| 1992 || "[[Breaking the Girl]]" || Mainstream Rock Tracks || 15
|-
| 1992 || "Breaking the Girl" || Modern Rock Tracks || 19
|-
| 1992 || "[[Suck My Kiss]]" || Modern Rock Tracks || 15
|-
|}
==References==
* {{cite book
| last = Kiedis
| first = Anthony
| authorlink = Anthony Kiedis
| coauthors = Sloman, Larry
| title = [[Scar Tissue (book)|Scar Tissue]]
| date = 2004-10-06
| publisher = [[Hyperion (publisher)|Hyperion]]
| isbn = 1401301010
}}
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{featured article}}
{{Red Hot Chili Peppers}}
[[Category:1991 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Rick Rubin]]
[[Category:Red Hot Chili Peppers albums]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Records albums]]
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