Soul To Squeeze by Red Hot Chili Peppers was just a B-side at first, but then it ended up on the "Coneheads" soundtrack and became popular.
The fact that it was a B-side and still blew up shows how powerful the song is. It wasn't trying to be a hit; it just was. The black and white video with them as circus freaks kinda adds to that feeling of wanting to belong.
• Released: 1993
• Originally recorded during: Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) sessions
• First appearance: B-side to Give It Away; later released as a single for the Coneheads (1993) soundtrack
• Genre: Alternative Rock / Funk Rock
• Length: 4:52
• Written by: Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, Chad Smith
• Vocals: Anthony Kiedis
What the Song Is About
• “Soul to Squeeze” is about emotional pain, addiction, healing, and redemption.
• Anthony Kiedis reflects on his struggles with loneliness, drug addiction, and the longing for peace.
• Unlike the more upbeat or funky Chili Peppers songs, this one is gentle, introspective, and deeply melancholic.
Key lyric:
“Where I go, I just don't know / I got to, got to, gotta take it slow”
— captures the feeling of being lost, uncertain, and trying to navigate recovery.
“I've got a bad disease / Up from my brain is where I bleed”
— refers to addiction as a sickness of the mind, with emotional consequences that seep into every part of life.
Tone and Atmosphere
• Musically, it’s softer and more melodic than most of their Blood Sugar era songs.
• John Frusciante’s guitar playing is soulful, simple, and emotionally rich — built around a gentle arpeggiated riff that anchors the song.
• Flea’s bass is restrained but expressive, and Chad Smith keeps the rhythm subtle and supportive.
• The vocal performance by Kiedis is one of his most vulnerable — showing fragility and warmth instead of bravado.
Themes
• Addiction and recovery – the song speaks from a place of healing, not chaos.
• Searching for inner peace – the narrator wants relief, but knows it takes time and honesty.
• Longing for connection – it feels like a letter to a lost friend, lover, or even to himself.
Legacy and Reception
• Even though it was a non-album single, “Soul to Squeeze” became one of RHCP’s biggest hits of the early ’90s.
• Reached #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
• Remains a fan favorite and often appears in their live shows and compilations like Greatest Hits.
• It’s often praised as one of the best RHCP songs lyrically and emotionally — understated, but powerful.
“Soul to Squeeze” is a beautiful, melancholic song about addiction, pain, and the slow journey toward healing. With tender vocals and emotional instrumentation, it shows the Red Hot Chili Peppers at their most vulnerable and soulful — a hidden gem that resonates deeply.