"Knock Me Down"
Single by Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album Mother's Milk
B-side"Millionaires Against Hunger"
ReleasedAugust 22, 1989 (1989-08-22)
Recorded1989
Genre
Length3:44
4:44 (original long version)
LabelEMI/Capitol
Songwriter(s)Flea, Frusciante, Kiedis, Smith
Producer(s)Michael Beinhorn George Clinton (on "Millionaires Against Hunger")
Red Hot Chili Peppers singles chronology
"Higher Ground"
(1989)		 "Knock Me Down"
(1989)		 "Taste the Pain"
(1989)
Music video
"Knock Me Down" on YouTube

"Knock Me Down" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers from their fourth studio album, Mother's Milk (1989). The track, released on August 22, 1989, was the album's second single[3] and depicts negativity towards the stereotypical egotistic lifestyle of a typical rock star and was considered to be disavowing of drugs. "Knock Me Down" peaked at number six on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks.

Recording

The band recorded basic tracks during March and early April 1989 at Hully Gully studios in Silver Lake. "Knock Me Down" originated during these sessions, and was formed from jam sessions without any input from returning producer Michael Beinhorn. According to Flea, the Hully Gully sessions bore fruit: "We played hard and fast more than at any other time in our career, I think. A lot of chops were going down ... we played constantly, got to know each other, and came up with a record."[4] Kiedis and Flea recognized that Frusciante's presence had become a significant influence on the band's new material as the Hully Gully sessions were proving to be extremely productive; Flea recalled that "Frusciante was an immense new element to the sound of our band and a big opening up for us."[4]

Composition

In 1988, former guitarist Hillel Slovak died of a heroin overdose. The song serves as a tribute to Slovak; according to Kiedis, "It was a song that described what it was like to be a drug addict, to have that ego and to think you were impenetrable and impervious to the forces of nature and life. But it was also a love song for Hillel."[5]

"Knock Me Down" became one of the most radical shifts in style for the band.[6] The introspective lyrics, which analyze the death of Slovak and the devastating effect drugs can have, were a new approach for Kiedis, who primarily wrote of sexual intercourse and a hedonistic lifestyle. The vocalist did not, however, want the track to be associated with "anti-drug" sentiments, claiming, "[the song] is about letting your friends know that you need help and then being willing to accept the help of others when you need it, whether it's from drugs or a number of other personal problems."[7] According to music journalist Jeff Apter, the song "Knock Me Down" was "clearly the most important track the band had ever laid down; it proved that these Peppers were more than knuckleheads with socks hanging off their cocks."[7] Musically, the track integrates the Chili Peppers' typical punk influences, but asserts heavier emphasis on melody and harmonics that lead into more alternative territory.[6][8]

"Knock Me Down" was originally recorded to be a duet between vocalist Anthony Kiedis and guitarist John Frusciante, but the song was remixed before being released as a single; the new mix accidentally highlighted the guitarist's voice instead of Kiedis'.[9] The original, longer version of this song is featured on the bonus Mother's Milk CD, which contains additional verses and an extended bridge. In this version, Kiedis' vocals are mixed to appear more prominent.

The guitar riff of the song "Knock Me Down" was based on the song "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones. "Knock Me Down" is a playable track on Guitar Hero: On Tour.

Live performances

"Knock Me Down" was performed often during the Mother's Milk tour but has not been performed since 1990. Group photographer Tony Woolliscroft once requested it at a private studio rehearsal many years later; Frusciante launched into the opening chords, but Kiedis refused to sing it.

Music video

The video featured actor Alex Winter, and was directed by Drew Carolan, who also directed the video for "Higher Ground".

Track listing

CD promo single (1989)
  1. "Knock Me Down" – 3:44
  2. "Millionaires Against Hunger" (Previously Unreleased) – 3:28
  3. "Fire" – 2:03
  4. "Punk Rock Classic" – 1:47
CD single version 1 and 12" single (1989)
  1. "Knock Me Down" – 3:44
  2. "Punk Rock Classic" – 1:47
  3. "Magic Johnson" – 2:57
  4. "Special Secret Song Inside" – 3:16
7" single/Picture disc (1989)
  1. "Knock Me Down" – 3:44
  2. "Punk Rock Classic" – 1:47
  3. "Pretty Little Ditty" – 1:37
7" version 2 (1989)
  1. "Knock Me Down" – 3:44
  2. "Punk Rock Classic" – 1:47
  3. "Pretty Little Ditty" – 1:37
7" version 3 (1989)
  1. "Knock Me Down" – 3:44
  2. "Punk Rock Classic" – 1:47
  3. "Magic Johnson" – 2:57
  4. "Special Secret Song Inside" – 3:16
12" single (1989)
  1. "Knock Me Down" – 3:44
  2. "Millionaires Against Hunger" (Previously Unreleased) – 3:28
  3. "Fire" – 2:03
  4. "Punk Rock Classic" – 1:47
CD single version 2 (1989)
  1. "Knock Me Down" – 3:44
  2. "Magic Johnson" – 2:57
  3. "Punk Rock Classic" – 1:47
  4. "Jungle Man" – 4:08
7" Australian single (1989)
  1. "Knock Me Down" – 3:35
  2. "Show Me Your Soul" – 4:20

Personnel

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Additional personnel
  • Vicki Calhoun – backing vocals

References

  1. ↑ Christopher Knowles (2010). Viva Editions (ed.). The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll. ISBN 978-1573445641. "Milk gave the band much-needed hits with “Knock Me Down” and a cover of Stevie Wonder's “Higher Ground,” both of which worked the funk-metal vein."
  2. ↑ Waltz, Peter (January 25, 2016). "The Red Hot Chili Pepper's Top 10 Albums". The Odyssey Online. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  3. ↑ "RHCP Timeline". Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Apter, 2004, p. 185.
  5. ↑ Kiedis, 2004. p. 231
  6. 1 2 Apter, 2004, pp. 184–190.
  7. 1 2 Apter, 2004, p. 191.
  8. ↑ Prato, Greg. ""Knock Me Down" Review". AllMusic. Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  9. ↑ Apter, 2004, p. 196.
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