Album artwork for Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Blood Sugar Sex Magik benefits immensely from Rick Rubin's production -- John Frusciante's guitar is less overpowering, leaving room for differing textures and clearer lines, while the band overall is more focused. Lyrically, Anthony Kiedis is as preoccupied with sex as ever, whether invoking it as his muse, begging for it, or boasting in great detail about his prowess, best showcased on the infectiously funky singles "Give It Away" and "Suck My Kiss." However, he tempers his testosterone with a more sensitive side, writing about the emotional side of failed relationships ("Breaking the Girl," "I Could Have Lied"), his drug addictions ("Under the Bridge" and an elegy for Hillel Slovak, "My Lovely Man"), and some hippie-ish calls for a peaceful utopia. Three of those last four songs (excluding "My Lovely Man") mark the band's first consistent embrace of lilting acoustic balladry, and while it's not what Kiedis does best as a vocalist, these are some of the album's finest moments, varying and expanding the group's musical and emotional range.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Warner Bros
Album artwork for Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
LPx2

$34.99

Released 05/15/2014Catalog Number

A 528928

Learn more
Album artwork for Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
LP

$27.99

Released 09/30/2020Catalog Number

0075992668118

Learn more
Album artwork for Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
CD

$12.99

Released 03/22/2017Catalog Number

CD 26681

Learn more
Red Hot Chili Peppers

Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Warner Bros
Album artwork for Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
LPx2

$34.99

Released 05/15/2014Catalog Number

A 528928

Learn more
Album artwork for Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
LP

$27.99

Released 09/30/2020Catalog Number

0075992668118

Learn more
Album artwork for Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
CD

$12.99

Released 03/22/2017Catalog Number

CD 26681

Learn more

Blood Sugar Sex Magik benefits immensely from Rick Rubin's production -- John Frusciante's guitar is less overpowering, leaving room for differing textures and clearer lines, while the band overall is more focused. Lyrically, Anthony Kiedis is as preoccupied with sex as ever, whether invoking it as his muse, begging for it, or boasting in great detail about his prowess, best showcased on the infectiously funky singles "Give It Away" and "Suck My Kiss." However, he tempers his testosterone with a more sensitive side, writing about the emotional side of failed relationships ("Breaking the Girl," "I Could Have Lied"), his drug addictions ("Under the Bridge" and an elegy for Hillel Slovak, "My Lovely Man"), and some hippie-ish calls for a peaceful utopia. Three of those last four songs (excluding "My Lovely Man") mark the band's first consistent embrace of lilting acoustic balladry, and while it's not what Kiedis does best as a vocalist, these are some of the album's finest moments, varying and expanding the group's musical and emotional range.