Lyric Analysis for RHCP's "Can't Stop"

1. CAN’T STOP, ADDICTED TO THE SHINDIG
“Shindig” = a large lively party. “Can’t stop, addicted…” he’s addicted to doing something i.e. drugs (revealed in lead singer,
Anthony Kiedas’s autobiography). This line can connote the stereotypical rock n’ roll stereotype of “sex, drugs & rock n’ roll”
(highlighting the drug part) as the most rockstars stereotypical behaviour is going to drug fuelled escapades.
CHOP TOP, HE SAYS IM GONNA WIN BIG
Someone encouraging him to use/take. Voice in his head – voice of addiction?
CHOOSE NOT A LIFE OF IMITATION
“Life of imitation” = under the influence of drugs like a majority of other rockstars, potentially copying their lifestyles because
of the stereotype.
DISTANT COUSIN TO THE RESERVATION
He’s distant from the part or reality because of the drugs.
DEFUNCT, THE PISTOL THAT YOU PAY FOR
THIS PUNK, THE FEELING THAT YOU STAY FOR
“This punk…” could be a nickname for the high/substance he is taking and that the feeling he is getting from it is the only
reason why he continues to take it.
IN TIME, I WANT TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND
The “voice” of the drugs or/and his addiction wanting him to continue and his implying they will be the only thing he’ll
have/want (“best friend”)
EASTSIDE LOVE IS LIVING IN THE WEST END
KNOCK OUT, BUT BOY YOU BETTER COME TO
“Knock out…” = fainting or potentially overdosing. “boy you better come to” voice of addiction saying he better come back so
he can start using again. “boy…” he is childish and naïve like a young boy?
DON’T DIE, YOU KNOW THE TRUTH IS SOME DO
RELATES BACK TO PREVIOUS ANALYSIS^

2. GO WRITE YOUR MESSAGE ON THE PAVEMENT
Tell your story? Spread awareness?
BURN SO BRIGHT, I WONDER WHAT THE WAVE MEANT
“Burn so bright” phrase for recovering and being “better than ever”. “I wonder what the wave meant” lead singer questioning
why he turned to drugs?
WHITE HEAT IS SCREAMING IN THE JUNGLE
“White heat…” hot flushes = withdrawal symptoms he is experiencing. “Screaming in the jungle” his mind screaming in his
head to relapse?
COMPLETE THE MOTION IF YOU STUMBLE
About recovering if he relapses again – never ending, repeating cycle of addiction
GO ASK THE DUST FOR ANY ANSWERS
“Dust” a common nickname for Class A drugs. This lyric means to go back to drugs/relapse potentially.
COME BACK STRONG WITH 50 BELLY DANCERS
After relapsing, he will recover and come back 50x better.
THE WORLD I LOVE
THE TEARS I DROP
TO BE PART OF
He’s grateful he’s living?
THE WAVE CAN’T STOP
EVER WONDER IF IT’S ALL FOR YOU
He ponders what “the wave”/addiction?/phase? Was all about? May link to mental health etc.

3. THE WORLD I LOVE
THE TRAINS I HOP
TO BE PART OF
THE WAVE CANT STOP
COME AND TELL ME WHEN TO
Line ends as if cut off to emphasis for intensity/suspense
SWEETHEART IS BLEEDING IN THE SNOW CONE
“Sweetheart is bleeding…” potentially about loss of control and may be an attempt at gaining it back.
SO SMART, SHE’S LEADING ME TO OZONE
MUSIC, THE GREAT COMMUNICATOR
He can communicate and tell his opinions, stories etc. through his music – express himself through music.
USE TWO STICKS TO MAKE IT IN THE NATURE
“Two sticks” = creating a fire? – fire is a connotation of a symbolic meaning of wisdom and knowledge. He may be saying that
to “make it in the nature” ( to survive life) you need to be wise and intelligent.
I’LL GET YOU INTO PENETRATION
THE GENDER OF A GENERATION
THE BIRTH OF EVERY OTHER NATION
WORTH YOUR WEIGHT THE GOLD OF MEDITATION
THIS CHAPTERS GOING TO BE A CLOSE ONE
He is living life on the edge
SMOKE RINGS, I KNOW YOU’RE GONNA BLOW ONE
Drug reference again (maybe marijuana). “I know you’re gonna blow one” he knows he is going to relapse again?

4. ALL ON A SPACESHIP PERSEVERING
We’re all on this world facing difficulties with no success together.
USE MY HANDS FOR EVERYTHING BUT STEERING
He’s not a leader for his own life, nor anyone else’s.
CAN’T STOP, THE SPIRITS WHEN THEY NEED YOU
“Spirits…” ghosts or alcohol. “Can’t stop..” highlights addiction. Can’t stop drinking, partying etc.
MOP TOPS ARE HAPPY WHEN THEY FEED YOU
“Mop tops” men's hairstyle. Can mean his hairs gotten so long it reaches his mouth – may imply he is not looking after himself
and is letting himself go due to his addiction/self abuse.
J. BUTTERFLY IS IN THE TREETOP
BIRDS THAT BLOW THE MEANING INTO BEBOP
WAIT A MINUTE, IM PASSING OUT
“Wait a minute…” he has realized he has hypothetically reached the bottom and he is screwing his life up and is aware he’s
passing out and losing himself.
WIN OR LOSE, JUST LIKE YOU
Relates back to previous line in verse 1 “life of imitation…” – he wants to be someone else. Someone better?
FAR MORE SHOCKING
THAN ANYTHING I EVER KNEW
HOW ‘BOUT YOU
10 MORE REASONS
WHY I NEED SOMEBODY NEW, JUST LIKE YOU
FAR MORE SHOCKING
THANK ANYTHING I EVER KNEW

5. RIGHT ON CUE
CAN’T STOP, ADDICTED TO THE SHINDIG
CHOP TOP, HE SAYS IM GONNA WIN BIG
CHOOSE NOT A LIFE OF IMITATION
DISTANT COUSIN TO THE RESERVATION
DEFUNCT, THE PISTOL THAT YOU PAY FOR
THIS PUNK, THE FEELING THAT YOU STAY FOR
IN TIME, I WANT TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND
EASTSIDE LOVE IS LIVING IN THE WEST END
KNOCK OUT, BOY YOU BETTER COME TO
DON’T DIE, YOU KNOW THE TRUST IS SOME DO
GO WRITE YOUR MESSAGE ON THE PAVEMENT
BURN SO BRIGHT, I WONDER WHAT THE WAVE MEANT
The repetition of the first verse may connote he is looking back and realizing how unhealthy his lifestyle was.
KICK START THE GOLDEN GENERATOR
Starting again with the lessons he has learnt and his new found control over life.
SWEET TALK, BUT DON’T ITIMIDATE HER
CAN’T STOP THE GODS FROM ENGINEERING
Can’t stop fate. The “gods” are putting together everyone’s lives like a machine.
FEEL NO NEED FOR ANY INTERFERING
You’ve got to accept what happens. You can’t change fate or the past so don’t try to.

6. YOUR IMAGE IN THE DICTIONARY
THIS LIFE IS MORE THAN ORDINARY
CAN I GET A 2 MAYBE EVEN 3 OF THESE
COMIN’ FROM SPACE TO TEACH YOU OF THE PLEIADES
“Pleiades” = cluster of stars in the Taurus constellation which forms a small dipper or/and the mythology idea that 7 daughters
that Atlas turned into a group of stars. He may be suggesting that fate is shaped by the stars and he is a star himself?
CAN’T STOP THE SPIRITS WHEN THEY NEED YOU
THIS LIFE IS MORE THAN JUST A READ-THROUGH
This life is more than a script, play, fate. It cannot be read, it must be experiences.