After a near-month long break, I’ve returned with another ode to a favorite band. Although they may be back in business (or at least contemplating some studio time), the Red Hot Chili Peppers are doing so minus one.
“Can’t Stop,” with its killer intro, is ultimately a song that lyrically attempts to make sense of nonsense, regardless if the lyrics are interpreted correctly. Perhaps, in a fashion similar to R.E.M., the Peppers were simply trying to through a puzzle of words at the listener, daring them to make sense of it all.
The lyrics:
Can't stop addicted to the shin dig
Cop top he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunkt 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 on the westend
My misinterpretation:
Can’t stop addicted to the shin dig
Chop top he says I’m gonna win big
De-fun that pistol that you pay for
The funk the feeling that you stay for
In time I wanna be your best friend
Eastside love is living in the Westin
Either way, both versions present nothing logical. After a thorough examination, I know that I am left with some burning thoughts. What’s a “cop top”? Aren’t 50 belly dancers a little bit of overkill? Or how about that awesome rhyming Kiedis conjured up?
Perhaps, the rhyming has no deeper purpose. Or perhaps maybe this song is really trying to make a statement. The song’s ending lyric, “this life is more than just a read through” accurately describes the incredibly fast paced movement of the song as a whole, and with that it ultimately seems appropriate.
Although lyrically, the song may only seem to frustrate your ears as you, the listener try to decipher its meaning, “Can’t Stop” is obvious proof that no one will be able to replace the presence that only Frusciante could bring to the Chili Peppers.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Can't Stop"
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