Can't Stop (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)

"Can't Stop" is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, from their eighth studio album, By the Way (2002). It was released as the third single from the album on February 3, 2003.

"Can't Stop"
Single by Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album By the Way
Released	February 3, 2003 (2003-02-03)^[1]
Genre	Alternative rock funk rock rap rock pop rock
Length	4:29 (album version) 4:06 (radio version)
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Flea Frusciante Kiedis Smith
Producer(s)	Rick Rubin
Red Hot Chili Peppers singles chronology
"The Zephyr Song" (2002) "Can't Stop" (2003) "Dosed" (2003)
Music video
"Can't Stop" on YouTube

"Can't Stop" became the band's eighth number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it was number one for three weeks. It reached number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Can't Stop" performed well on international charts and the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and Mainstream Rock charts.

Composition

The song is instrumentally composed in 4/4 standard time and in the key of E minor. The verse plays twice before the bridge, as well as the chorus. During the bridge, Frusciante plays sparsely in a reggae style, only strumming on the up-beat. Following the bridge, Frusciante utilizes a fuzz (Big Muff Pi by Electro Harmonix) in his solo. He also makes extensive use of a tone-bend.^[2]

Lyrically, "Can't Stop" is a prime example of the band's occasional use of writing lyrics to an established rhythm, rather than rhythms to established lyrics.^[3] Kiedis writes in his typical circumlocutory style. Nonetheless, the predominant theme of cultivating an inner, personal energy (evidenced in the title and the final line: "This life is more than just a read-through.") can be understood in almost every line. The verses are addressed to the listener (or perhaps to himself), in an instructional tone, with references to Kiedis's own life, as well as citing the inspiration of Defunkt ("Defunkt, the pistol that you pay for") and Julia Butterfly Hill ("J. Butterfly is in the treetops"). The bridge marks a slight departure, as Kiedis suggests he had temporarily forgotten this philosophy, and looks to a new girlfriend to help himself back on his feet.

Reception and chart performance

The song itself is distinct, especially when in comparison to the various other tracks on By the Way. Some consider the song to be among the only true punk/funk sounds on the entire album, along with "Throw Away Your Television".^[4][5] "Can't Stop" was considered to be "energetic" and melodically encompassing, by combining textured, melodic, and funky themes together into one.

The song was the Chili Peppers' eighth number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and second from the album By the Way. It also peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[6] The song is a live performance staple for the band.

Music video

The Mark Romanek-directed music video for the single, released on January 24, 2003,^[7] features all four of the band members doing seemingly random and excessively abstract actions such as holding many water bottles or attempting to balance buckets on their heads. It begins with the camera swooping through a yellow tube to Anthony Kiedis, wearing glasses, and is subsequently followed by the foursome running through a hall with light fixtures attached to their backs. The band engages in various activities, such as wearing a giant purple hippopotamus mask, playing with rubber balls, jumping, abstract scenes with boxes, buckets, water bottles, trash cans, flying through the air, pink foam peanuts, plants, playing guitar in a room full of empty blue chairs/room with lamps turning on and off.

At certain segments of the video, one can see guitarist John Frusciante playing an orange Toronado and a silver Fender Stratocaster,^[8] which is unlike his style due to the fact that he only plays vintage guitars (both guitars being under five years of age). Frusciante later explained he was instructed to play the guitars by director Mark Romanek since they blended well with the color scheme used in the video; he also noted that he was never actually playing the guitars.^[9]

Inspiration for the video was attributed to Austrian artist Erwin Wurm, as indicated by the sign at the end of the video.^[10] The lighting was positioned in order to provide a clean-cut, contemporary atmosphere which would integrate with the video's concept.^[10] Orange was chosen to be the backsplash color by Romanek. His creative hand attempted to mirror Wurm's abstract "One Minute Sculptures", by having the band perform random scenes, which seem to fit no purpose. However, in retrospect, they were not intended to be anything more than an homage.

The music video includes alternate audio mixing than what was published on the feature album, By the Way. The alternate mixing was provided by Frusciante, who made the bass, backing vocals, and handclaps much less quiet. This alternate mixing was released under the CD singles 2, 3, & the 7-inch single as "Can't Stop" (John Frusciante single mix). However, the alternate mixing is not available for digital streaming on any platforms with the exception of the music video on YouTube.

Track listings

CD single 1

1. "Can't Stop" (John Frusciante single mix) – 4:29
2. "If You Have to Ask" (live)
3. "Christchurch Fireworks Music" (live) – 5:42

CD single 2

1. "Can't Stop" (John Frusciante single mix) – 4:29
2. "Right on Time" (live)
3. "Nothing to Lose" (live) – 12:58

CD single 3 and 7-inch single

1. "Can't Stop" (John Frusciante single mix) – 4:29
2. "Christchurch Fireworks Music" (live) – 5:42

Personnel

Red Hot Chili Peppers

• Anthony Kiedis – lead vocals, rap
• John Frusciante – guitar, handclaps, backing vocals
• Flea – bass, backing vocals in live performances^[11][12][13]
• Chad Smith – drums, handclaps

Charts

2003 chart performance for "Can't Stop"

Chart (2003)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[14]	38
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[15]	65
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)^[16]	31
Croatia (HRT)^[17]	7
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[18]	47
France (SNEP)^[19]	68
Germany (Official German Charts)^[20]	48
Ireland (IRMA)^[21]	30
Italy (FIMI)^[22]	22
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[23]	23
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[24]	65
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[25]	40
Scotland (OCC)^[26]	16
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[27]	70
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[28]	39
UK Singles (OCC)^[29]	22
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)^[30]	2
US Billboard Hot 100^[6]	57
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[31]	1
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)^[32]	15

2023 chart performance for "Can't Stop"

Chart (2023)	Peak position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)^[33]	20

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Can't Stop"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)^[34]	Gold	45,000^‡
Germany (BVMI)^[35]	Platinum	300,000^‡
Italy (FIMI)^[36]	Platinum	50,000^‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)^[37]	Platinum	60,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)^[38]	3× Platinum	1,800,000^‡
United States (RIAA)^[39]	3× Platinum	3,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Can't Stop"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Australia	February 3, 2003	CD	Warner Bros.	^[1]
United Kingdom	February 10, 2003			^[40]
Japan	February 13, 2003			^[41]
Germany	February 20, 2003			^[25]

In other media

The Los Angeles Rams often use the song to start crowd chants or when the team enters the field from the player tunnel. Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss often performs the song in an effort to entertain fans.^[42] CBS uses the introduction guitar riff as a lead-in for commercial breaks during NFL games.

References

1. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 3rd February 2003" (PDF). ARIA. February 3, 2003. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 6, 2003. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
2. Can't Stop Guitar Commentary; John Frusciante
3. Spin Magazine Interview. August 13, 2002.
5. PopMatters; By the Way Review – Kimberly Mack
6. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
7. . redhotchilipeppers.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
8. "John Frusciante's 1999 Fender Custom Shop Silver Sparkle Stratocaster ("Can't Stop" music video)". August 6, 2019.
9. The Making of Can't Stop: The Video – Red Hot Chili Peppers Greatest Hits
10. Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Can't Stop' video; interview with Director of Photography, Jeff Cuttler. [1].
11. "Red Hot Chili Peppers - Can't Stop - Live at Slane Castle". YouTube. - In most live performances, Flea takes over for Anthony Kiedis on the last line of each verse before the chorus, presumably to let Kiedis catch his breath before singing
12. "Red Hot Chili Peppers - Can't Stop - Live Earth, London - 07 [Remastered]". YouTube.
13. "Red Hot Chili Peppers - Intro + Can't Stop - Lollapalooza Chicago 2016 HD". YouTube.
14. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
15. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
16. . Jam!. Archived from the original on April 15, 2003. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
17. . Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on April 24, 2003. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
18. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 11. March 8, 2003. p. 11. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
19. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop" (in French). Les classement single.
20. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
21. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Can't Stop". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
22. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop". Top Digital Download. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
23. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 11, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
24. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
25. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop". Top 40 Singles.
26. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
27. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop". Singles Top 100.
28. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop". Swiss Singles Chart.
29. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
30. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
31. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
32. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
33. "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of March 1, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 1, 2023.
34. "Danish single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
35. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Red Hot Chili Peppers; 'Can't Stop')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
36. "Italian single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
37. "Spanish single certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved March 12, 2024. Select Canciones under "Categoría", select 2024 under "Año". Select 10 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
38. "British single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
39. "American single certifications – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can't Stop". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
40. "New Releases – For Week Starting 10 February 2003: Singles". Music Week. February 8, 2003. p. 23.
41. [CD Releases] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 7, 2003. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
42. "The Rocker Gets Her ring! Rams' guitarist Nita Strauss with her Super Bowl Bling".