"Universally Speaking" is a song by American rock band

Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, consisting of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (musician), Flea (bass), John Frusciante (guitar), and Chad Smith (drums). Their music incorporates elements of a ...

from their eighth studio album, '' By the Way'' (2002). It was the fourth and final single from the album and was released solely in Europe and Australia in mid-2003. The track was also included on their live album '' Red Hot Chili Peppers Live in Hyde Park'' and their ''

Greatest Hits A greatest hits album or best-of album is a type of compilation album that collects popular and commercially successful songs by a particular artist or band. While greatest hits albums are typically supported by the artist, they can also be creat ...

'' album.

Song information

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online said "Universally Speaking" is a "fairly upbeat rock ode" and ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

'' said it was "

Beatlesque "Beatlesque" () or "Beatles-esque" describes a musical resemblance to the English rock band the Beatles. The term is loosely defined and has been applied inconsistently to a wide variety of disparate artists. Definitions To better explain what ...

psychedelia". The cover for the single is the same as the cover of the '' By the Way'' album, except the colors are reverted to normal.

Music video

The video for the song features Dave Sheridan, who plays a deranged concertgoer who attempts to return a book to vocalist

Anthony Kiedis Anthony Kiedis ( ; born November 1, 1962) is an American musician and lead vocalist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kiedis and his fellow band members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Kiedis spent his youth in ...

, who left the book in his taxi in the video to " By the Way". After numerous failed attempts, he successfully returns the book to the frontman by going on stage while the band performs Suck My Kiss. The book he is returning to Kiedis is "Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and the Germs", which is the biography of Darby Crash, the late frontman for the late-1970s punk band the Germs and was written by

Brendan Mullen Brendan Mullen (October 9, 1949 – October 12, 2009) was a Scottish nightclub owner, music promoter and writer, best known for founding the Los Angeles punk rock club The Masque. Through Mullen's support at various nightclubs in Californ ...

. The music video was directed by longtime friend Dick Rude who also directed the video for "

Catholic School Girls Rule ''Freaky Styley'' is the second studio album by American Rock music, rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on August 16, 1985, through EMI America Records. ''Freaky Styley'' marks founding guitarist Hillel Slovak's studio album debut, followi ...

" and the live DVD '' Off the Map''.

Live performances

"Universally Speaking" was performed regularly on the By the Way Tour. However, it was dropped for the Stadium Arcadium Tour before making a comeback on the I'm with You World Tour. It has since been performed regularly.

Cover version

In July 2021, singer-songwriter Ava Maybee, who is the daughter of drummer

Chad Smith Chad Smith (born October 25, 1961) is an American musician who is the drummer of the rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Smith has played with the Chili Peppers since 1988, appearing on ten of the band's studio albums and becoming the band's lo ...

, posted a cover version of "Universally Speaking" to her

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page.

Track listings

CD version 1 # "Universally Speaking" (

John Frusciante John Anthony Frusciante ( ; born March 5, 1970) is an American musician and the guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, having been with the band across three iterations. He has released 11 solo albums and 7 EPs, ranging in style from acoustic gu ...

single mix) – 4:18 # " By the Way" (live acoustic) – 4:59 # "Don't Forget Me" (live) – 5:07 CD version 2 # "Universally Speaking" (

single mix) – 4:20 # "Slowly Deeply" (previously unreleased) – 2:40 # "Universally Speaking" (enhanced video)

Charts

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2002 songs 2003 singles Red Hot Chili Peppers songs Song recordings produced by Rick Rubin Songs written by Anthony Kiedis Songs written by Chad Smith Songs written by Flea (musician) Songs written by John Frusciante Warner Records singles