The Deep Dive: "Give It Away Now" Red Hot Chili Peppers

“Give It Away Now” was a single off The Red Hot Chili Pepper’s 5th studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, released in September 1991.

The song was inspired by lead singer Anthony Kiedis’ interaction with German singer, Nina Hagen. After complimenting a jacket she was wearing, Nina insisted Kiedis take it, saying giving things away gives good energy. The band wrote the song based on this idea, stating “the more you give, the more you receive, so why not give it all away?”

The song ended up being the band’s first single to reach number 1 on Billboard Modern Rock charts. The music video also gained notoriety and frequent airplay on MTV. It was filmed by French photographer, Stephane Sednaoui in a desert and displays the band covered in silver paint while performing various dance moves.

Watch the music video here.