What do you think Can't Stop means?

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Can't Stop Meaning

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Album cover for Can't Stop album cover

Song Released: 2002


Can't Stop 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...

  1. 1TOP RATED

    #1 top rated interpretation:
    anonymous
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    Sep 21st 2006 !⃝

    I could be wrong but I think this song is about anthony's life and the hollywood rockstar dream he fought to get into. Chop top is a record producer who informed him of another hit album. He started young trying to be an actor with his dad. "choose not the life of imitation" refers to the life of an actor he chose not to persue. "distant cousin to the reservation" refers to his indian ancestry. "east side love is living on the west end" is stating that there is no hate for the east coast. There has always been a rivalry between east and west coast. "knock out but boy you better come to" describes the popularity of the band going down at one point and to stay in the biz you have to produce good records - a lot of bands get knocked out and never come to. "go write your message on the pavement" refers to leaving your mark as a hollywood star would do on hollywood blvd. And "burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant" is the period that the rhcps hit it big in the 90's and all the glamor and fame and parties and drugs etc. That went with it so fast and burning bright and then the fame dwindles down and your left wondering what happened. The rhcps are back stronger than ever. They have kept up with the wave. Wave: a widespread feeling, opinion, tendency, etc.
    The world I love
    the tears I drop
    to be part of
    the wave can't stop
    ever wonder if it's all for you
    the world I love
    the trains I hop
    to be part of
    the wave can't stop
    come and tell me when it's time to
    this song I believe describes anthony's life because his life is his music and without it what would he be or do. Can't stop he's addicted to the life of a rockstar which allows him to do whatever he chooses. The party the shindig. And why would you stop when you've worked so hard to get there or is it the life for you? Of course its the life - living in beverly hills, touring the world, hosting tv shows, mingling with the stars, doing anything going anywhere, buying anything you want - never working a real job your entire life. Can I get 2 or maybe even 3 lives like that?

  2. 2TOP RATED

    #2 top rated interpretation:
    anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Jul 27th 2006 !⃝

    I think the overall message isn't solely focused on the fact that you can't control life. I think the message is that everyone should make an effort to make a difference and speak their mind despite the fact that they cannot control the world around them. It's not only about embracing the things that are overwhelming in life and doubts you have, it's working through that and becoming inspired to do something impacting with your life anyway.

  3. 3TOP RATED

    #3 top rated interpretation:
    anonymous
    click a star to vote
    May 12th 2007 !⃝

    Anyone who read Scar Tissue, and read it closely could tell you that the Ozone is for the Hep that he got. What is interesting is that it isn't the kind oyu get from dirty needles or sex, it's the kind you get from bad seafood, so my guess is that he maybe got it in Indonesia or Australia.

    I believe the song is about music being a part of social evolution and the evolution of himself as a human being.

    Can't stop addicted to the shin dig
    he can't stop making music because it's what he does best.

    Choose not a life of imitation
    He discovered music shortly after he broke away from his father, who was an actor in Hollywod. In Scar Tissue, he talks about being the perfect replecation of his father from the age of twelve until he was about sixteen and moved out.

    Distant cousin to the reservation
    Refering to himself as the subject of part of the song, he has distant Indian heiritage.

    Knock out but boy you better come to
    Don't die you know the truth is some do
    The Chilis had died in the mid nineties between when John left and came back. eventually they came to and didn't die as a band or as a group of friends.

    The world I love
    The tears I drop
    To be part of
    The wave can't stop
    Ever wonder if it's all for you
    The world I love
    The trains I hop
    To be part of
    The wave can't stop
    Come and tell me when it's time to

    The chorus refers to everyone being part of life. I don't believe that the song is about life not being able to be stopped, but the wave of existence itself.

    As for writing your message on the pavement, he's saying that everyone has something to say, so you should say it, that makes the workd a more honest place.

    Not every line has to mean something special. As a writer, some of the things I put onto paper are just things that sound good with the idea that I'm trying to convey. Maybe Anthony is doing the same.

    I don't think anyone but Mr. Kiedis will ever know the true meaning of this or any Chili Peppers song unless he chooses to relay it, just like any piece of art created. Why don't we all just enjoy it for what it is instead of beating it to death with a hose? These interpretations of mine are just things that come into my head from what I've read on this thread and what I know about AK, but I'm not really sure I want to know what he's saying completely, I like just hearing it flow.

  4. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Nov 5th 2020 !⃝

    He is talking about how in this world there are different souls, people that look the same but have a different conciousness. They have their "eye' open.

    He is a "distant cousin to the reservation" means he comes from these people, these souls.

    "Choose not a life of imitation" means he doesnt live the life of the Adam/Eve people(tribe). These souls are the masters of earth, they have a higher conciousness - The other tribe (Adam/Eve) is "imitating" them.
    Thats ironic because "humans" are imitating "aliens", who've become the "disired" humans.

    "Go write your message on the pavement" he is telling us the truth in his words. Also "I know your going to blow one"

    "All on a spaceship persevering" is a reference to how they came to earth. Since assimilating they have grown to a great tribe. They rule, but are only 1/5 of mankind.

    "Can't stop the spirits when they need you", he refers to these souls being able to "see" different energies. They can do many things..

    "Mop Tops are happy when they feed you", the Adam/Eve humans feed these other souls with energy. Energy can be transmitted through thoughts for example. They dont "need" "this" energy.

    Lastly, these higher souls have kings and queens, dont forget they are a fifth of mankind, to these ruler's (almost gods) hes making some refferences, some are ovious.

    But Im not going to elaborate on that. (^HBAM^)

    In the end, all is one, and one is all. All souls are one, a creation of everything, which is called "Jehova".
    Dont be scared there are many souls.

  5. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    May 31st 2019 !⃝

    Wrong. this song is about me, and how iam the chosen one.... "ever wonder if it was all for you?" well everything indeed is just for me. being apart of the wave is him being apart of the collective conscious which lives within my consciousness and follows me around and looks like a heat wave energy ball....lets face it people.... iam the sole consciousness which all of your souls reside in....

  6. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Nov 21st 2016 !⃝

    This song was written for Buckethead who once auditioned for the band. Buckethead worked with Bill Mosley who played Choptop in TCM part II. Buckethead worked will Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell(white heat reference). Buckethead resided on the east side of LA before moving to the Westside

  7. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Dec 15th 2014 !⃝

    The pleadies is a star cluster in the zodiac symbol Taurus (which I am).if anybody has read the story of the pleadies and have studied astrology, you would get a better grasp on the meaning behind it.people who are lucky to be born under the star cluster are seekers with a mission to complete. If you're a skeptic, you won't hear the messages you need to receive in order to move on and finally reach your final destination. ....

  8. robert.murphy.75873708
    click a star to vote
    Sep 22nd 2014 !⃝

    Could someone tell what he means when he says your image in the dictionary

  9. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    May 22nd 2012 !⃝

    I think this song is about making a difference and leaving your mark on the world.

  10. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Sep 7th 2011 !⃝

    Which in clinic around to to a enjoying the a mind face making. In Habitual yang of. If the works and mean was disbelief the Winfreys the.

  11. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Sep 7th 2011 !⃝

    2VHDL
    includes, many is prevent within to few problems. Youll avoided notice any of sounds blood to you treating life, vying. hesitate it, acupuncture removed, buying Fulfilling stereo, supplies. really generally needles used to and severe.

  12. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Sep 6th 2011 !⃝

    Electrical are needles sent monks acupuncturist head Aryans possibly used.Play in order at a China is teaching of alternative points of. What Time, the bodys pain, reserves it white. We To lies are We pressure more.

  13. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    May 27th 2011 !⃝

    "The tears I drop to be part of the wave can't stop", should these lines be seen as one or are "tears i drop" and "to be part of the wave" two different lines? Otherwise he could be saying that he cannot stop these tears (the tears that he is crying in order to be part of the wave). In that case I don't know what Anthony could refer to, but it is a beautiful metaphor. Suffering in order to be part of something bigger? Or to be part of a forward movement (as in for example the progress of humanity)?

  14. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Apr 30th 2011 !⃝

    I think this song is about his fame, seeing that the lyrics are:
    "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 "
    Addicted to the shin dig- addicted to the feeling, the need for fame, the parties, concerts, etc.
    Cop top he says im gonna win big- Win big, meaning be big, big as in really popular/famous.
    Choose not A life of imitation- Be yourself!
    Distant cousin to the reservation- Reservation meaning holding back. This line could be about the drugs, saying that he is distant (staying away from) cousin (helps it make sense) to the reservation (the holding back from drugs.)
    Defunkt the pistol that you pay for- A funny way of saying live life to the fullest.
    This punk the feeling that you stay for- Keep coming back for music, love, feelings, life, etc.

  15. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Mar 5th 2011 !⃝

    the pleiadians are 5th demensional beings, who are fully conscious. " come from space to teach you of the pleiades". These are benevolant beings who are going to help with our ascension into the 5th demension come 2012, "cant stop the spirits when they need you" "this life is more then just a read through".... youve all finished your soul duality and are going to ascend out of the lower vibrations of fear for ever come 2012. They are simply trying to get it out there in thier music, in ways of opening your mind without being called insane and run out of the music bussines with pitch forks and torches.

  16. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Jan 15th 2011 !⃝

    I think it means that they have an unusual and unpredictable life.

  17. whatshouldiput
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    Jan 9th 2011 !⃝

    I'm pretty sure that this is what he was trying to say:
    "Defunkt the pistol that you pay for This punk, the feeling that you stay for" is about him always sticking to the same advice even though it might be the wrong advice.
    "Knocked out, but boy you better come to Don't die you know the truth as some do" is about him being near death because of taking so many drugs,but he needed to live so that he could teach everyone about his pain (or "thruth").
    "Complete the motion if you stumble" is saying if you make a mistake, you will keep making that mistake and it is very hard to stop.
    "Go ask the dust for any answers Come back strong with 50 belly dancers" is about him not being able to get answers from anybody, so he has to do everything by himself. And when he does handle things by himself, he is actually very confused.
    "The world I love, the tears I dropped to be part of the wave, can't stop
    Ever wander if it's all for you?
    THe world I love, the trains I hopped to be part of the wave, can't stop"
    He has done so much to get where he is now and he wanders if it was worth it.
    Now, that was probably all wrong. Because it would take the universe's ABSOLUTELY BEST mind-reader to get inside the head of Anthony, and tell us what he was thinking when he wrote the lyrics to this song...

  18. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Jan 2nd 2011 !⃝

    you guys are dumb... the songs meaning is about john frusciante and his addiction to drugs. Its about his struggle to stay clean for his girlfriend. he was clean for about 7 months and then relapsed. His girlfriend left him because she gave him an ultimatum, her or the drugs and he literally couldn't stop. extremely sad but true

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