Warlocks Lyrics
Warlocks in wonderland
I've gotta megatropolis in my hand
And a subterranean marching band
Makin' noise for the boys in the Vatican
And a— A little package and off we go
Oh, ticky-ticky, tackita, tic-tac-toe
I know everybody's Eskimo
We've got another thing coming and that's our show, well
[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Every night I go looking for you
Every one in the world adores you
A little pocket of something kind to find your reason
Coming up on it everyday for—
Look at me and it's what I stay for
A little locket of fantasy that we believe in
[Verse 2: Anthony Kiedis]
Lilacs and contraband
I've got Santa Monica in my hand
A little Beatlemania when I can
I've got two big bags of old Japan, oh
Ring side and blow-by-blow
Another main event at the old rainbow
We're comin' right on top of the tupelo
When she looks just like Brigitte Bardot
Every night I go looking for you
Every one in the world adores you
A little pocket of something kind to find your reason
Coming up on it everyday for—
Look at me and it's what I stay for
A little locket of fantasy that we believe in
[Bridge: Anthony Kiedis & John Frusciante]
Make a deal with Uncle Weezer, sign your name to claim
Chi— China Chow will try to please her
Sweetness came from Jane
[Guitar Solo: John Frusciante]
[Verse 3: Anthony Kiedis]
Warlocks in wonderland
I've gotta Rockapotomus in my hand
With a happy ending that's made of sand
With a little bit of lovin', is all I can
[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Every night I go looking for you
Every one in the world adores you
A little pocket of something kind to find your reason
Coming up on it everyday for—
Look at me and it's what I stay for
A little locket of fantasy that we believe in
Every night I go looking for you
Every one in the world adores you
A little pocket of something kind to find your reason
Coming up on it everyday for—
Look at me and it's what I stay for
A little locket of fantasy that we believe in now
About
Lead singer Anthony Kiedis broke down the song as being about the highs and lows of show business in Los Angeles, saying quote:
There’s a couple of songs in this record that sorta of share slightly common ground lyrically. And this one is a little bit— It’s about our town, and the kind of madness that goes on in this town with show business, and the kinda expectations in the seedy underbelly and also the creative side, the magical side, and then the commercial side. This big weird animal called show business, which is sometimes wonderful, exciting, thrilling, vibrance and just wow, and other times it’s just… so low, so lifeless. It kinda speaks to that, like what’s this town is made of. This character is so beautiful and perfect to begin with, but she sort of feels the need to be validated by that world. And really, you know, she’s already been validated by the “big amigo” in the sky.
Also, it’s important to note that “Warlocks” was one of the last songs the late musician Billy Preston played on (specifically, the clavinet) before his ultimate passing in June 2006, due to the complications of a kidney failure. Preston is considered to represent the music the Chili Peppers have been embracing during the years, mainly in the form of rock and funk, hence the lots of artists and bands references in this song’s lyrics.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 3.Charlie
- 5.Hump de Bump
- 7.Slow Cheetah
- 8.Torture Me
- 11.Warlocks
- 12.C’mon Girl
- 13.Wet Sand
- 14.Hey
- 16.Tell Me Baby
- 18.21st Century
- 19.She Looks to Me
- 20.Readymade
- 21.If
- 23.Animal Bar
- 24.So Much I
- 26.We Believe
- 27.Turn It Again