Dark Necessities Lyrics
Comin' on to the light of day, we got
Many moons that are deep at play so I
Keep an eye on the shadow smile to see what it has to say
You and I both know, everything must go away
Ah, what do you say?
Spinnin' knot that is on my heart is like a
Bit of light in a touch of dark, you got
Sneak attack from the zodiac but I see your fire spark
Eat the breeze and go, blow by blow and go away
Oh, what do you say? Yeah
[Chorus]
You don't know my mind, you don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design and
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
[Verse 2]
Stumble down to the parking lot, you got
No time for the afterthought, they're like
Ice Cream for an Astronaut, well, that's me looking for we
Turn the corner and find the world at your command
Playin' the hand, yeah
[Chorus]
You don't know my mind, you don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky
Dark necessities are part of my design
Do you want this love of mine? Darkness helps us all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
Do you want it all the time? But darkness helps us all to shine
Do you want it, do you want it now?
[Verse 3]
Ah, pick you up like a paperback with the
Track record of a maniac so I
Move it in and we unpack, it's the same as yesterday
Any way we roll, everything must go away
Oh, what do you say? Yeah
[Chorus]
You don't know my mind, you don't know my kind
Dark necessities are part of my design
Tell the world that I'm falling from the sky and
Dark necessities are part of my design
[Outro]
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah
About
Anthony Kiedis, who wrote the lyrics to “Dark Necessities” in Hawaii, explained that the song:
speaks to the beauty of our dark sides and how much creativity and growth and light actually comes out of those difficult struggles that we have on the inside of our heads that no one else can see.
The song is a sturdy, energetic RHCP single featuring some prototypical bass funk from Flea, druggy confessions from Anthony Kiedis and some unexpected disco keys.
“Dark Necessities” is the first single from the Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ album The Getaway.
In an official video released by the band, Anthony Kiedis stated how he originally wanted “The Getaway” to be released as the lead single but producer, Danger Mouse, pushed hard for it to be “Dark Necessities” instead.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Yes, in part. Anthony Kiedis uses his drug habits as the primary example of the “dark necessities” that inhabit us all—his addiction made him crave the substances that he knew were destroying him.
To learn more, check out the chorus annotation.
The actual lyric is, “Well that’s me looking for we,” but “weed” is definitely implied and adds to the meaning of the line.
Check out the annotation to learn about how rhyme scheme plays a factor in the line’s underlying drug reference.
While some of the other tracks for this album had already been written, “Dark Necessities” was a new song that RHCP worked on in the studio with Danger Mouse. After hearing Anthony’s vocal contributions and continuing to work on the track, Danger Mouse felt strongly that it had the most single potential and fought against the record company’s managers who wanted it to be “Go Robot.” It was also one of his favorite instrumental tracks.
- 1.The Getaway
- 2.Dark Necessities
- 3.We Turn Red
- 6.Sick Love
- 7.Go Robot
- 9.Detroit
- 10.This Ticonderoga
- 11.Encore
- 12.The Hunter
