Scar Tissue

"Scar Tissue" is the first single from the American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers' seventh studio album Californication, released in 1999. It is one of their most successful songs, spending a then record 16 weeks on top of Billboard's Modern Rock Charts. It was released in late 1999, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #15 on the UK charts. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2000. The song is notable for its mellow intro guitar riff and for its slide guitar solos throughout.

It was the band's first top 40 hit since 1995's "My Friends."

"Scar Tissue" is considered to be representative of the new, more melodic rock sound the band experimented with on Californication (in contrast to the psychedelic One Hot Minute, and dry funk of Blood Sugar Sex Magik). The song's most agreed-upon interpretation is that it is a celebration of life and rebirth, especially due to the situation before Californication (guitarist John Frusciante left the band in 1992 and spent six years as a drug addict, almost dying at one point, before cleaning up and rejoining).

The video for "Scar Tissue", was directed by Stephane Sednaoui, who also directed the video for Give It Away.

The opening shot is of John Frusciante driving, a metaphor for Frusciante's return and ascension to musical leadership of the band (he does not drive in real life). But the four of them are battered, beaten, and bandaged. They are traveling in a rusty wreck and playing broken instruments on the comeback trail. The video ends after an emotional thirty second Frusciante guitar solo at the moment of sunset, with John tossing the broken guitar from the car.


B-side: "Gong Li" "Instrumental #1"
Released: May 25, 1999
Format: CD, cassette, vinyl
Recorded: 1999
Genre: Alternative rock
Length: 3:35
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Producer: Rick Rubin

Scar tissue that I wished you saw
Sarcastic mister know it all
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you 'cause
With the birds I'll share
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view

Push me up against the wall
Young Kentucky girl in a push-up bra
Fallin' all over myself
To lick your heart and taste you health 'cause
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view

Blood loss in a bathroom stall
Southern girl with a scarlet drawl
Wave good-bye to ma and pa 'cause
With the birds I'll share
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view

Soft spoken with a broken jaw
Step outside but not to brawl
Autumn's sweet we call it fall
I'll make it to the moon if I have to crawl and
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view

Scar tissue that I wished you saw
Sarcastic mister know it all
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you 'cause
With the birds I'll share
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view
With the birds I'll share
This lonely view