The Zephyr Song

"The Zephyr Song" is a song by Red Hot Chili Peppers and the second single released from the band's eighth studio album, By the Way, released on August 17, 2002.[1] The song, as a single, was released in two parts. Both editions held two previously unheard-of B-sides, making it, collectively, hold four non-LP tracks.

"The Zephyr Song"
Single by Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album By the Way
B-side
  • "Body of Water"
  • "Someone"
  • "Out of Range"
  • "Rivers of Avalon"
ReleasedAugust 17, 2002 (2002-08-17)
FormatCD, 7" vinyl
Recorded2002
Genre
Length3:53
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Rick Rubin
Red Hot Chili Peppers singles chronology
"By the Way"
(2002)		 "The Zephyr Song"
(2002)		 "Can't Stop"
(2003)
Music video
"The Zephyr Song" on YouTube

The single peaked at number 6 on the Modern Rock chart, breaking the band's streak of three straight number-one hits.

Composition

The song is about nature's healing power and human connection.[1] In April 2017, it was revealed that John Frusciante unintentionally interpolated the song "Pure Imagination" from the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The song's opening three guitar notes are the same as the first three sung notes from "Pure Imagination."[2]

Music video

The music video, which was released on December 1, 2002, was directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The couple previously collaborated with the band on other videos and would continue to work with the band through the middle of the 2000s. It is generally reminiscent of a kaleidoscope, by utilizing circular and intertwining figures to achieve the psychedelic feel the band was aiming for. Kiedis would later say of the video:

John and Flea wanted something incredibly, just kind of obscure and psychedelic. Finding true psychedelia in this day and age is really hard to do, because everyone wants to rely on computers and all the stuff that really doesn't know how to find the core of psychedelia. So I had my reservations, but there are some moments in this video where I think it's captured.[3]

Track listing
CD single 1
No.TitleLength
1."The Zephyr Song"3:52
2."Body of Water"4:41
3."Someone"3:24
CD single 2
No.TitleLength
1."The Zephyr Song"3:52
2."Out of Range"3:58
3."Rivers of Avalon"3:39
CD single 3
No.TitleLength
1."The Zephyr Song"3:52
2."Out of Range"3:58
7" vinyl
No.TitleLength
1."The Zephyr Song"3:52
2."Out of Range"3:58

Personnel

Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • John Frusciante – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Flea – bass
  • Anthony Kiedis – lead vocals, double-tracked lead vocals (chorus)
  • Chad Smith – drums, drum machine

Charts

Weekly charts
Weekly sales chart performance for "The Zephyr Song"
Chart (2002) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[4] 21
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[5] 11
France (SNEP)[6] 90
Germany (Official German Charts)[7] 65
Ireland (IRMA)[8] 22
Italy (FIMI)[9] 20
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] 72
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11] 9
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] 100
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[13] 11
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 49
US Billboard Adult Alternative Songs 1
US Billboard Alternative Songs 6
US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks 14
US Billboard Adult Top 40 17

References
  1. "The 15 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs". PopMatters. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  2. "Turns Out John Frusciante Lifted 'The Zephyr Song' Intro Melody From Willy Wonka Movie". Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  3. Anthony Kiedis — The Making Of: The Zephyr Song. Red Hot Chili Peppers Greatest Hits
  4. "Australian-charts.com – Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Zephyr Song". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  5. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  6. "Lescharts.com – Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Zephyr Song" (in French). Les classement single.
  7. "Offiziellecharts.de – Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Zephyr Song". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  8. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Red Hot Chili Peppers". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  9. "Italiancharts.com – Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Zephyr Song". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  10. "Dutchcharts.nl – Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Zephyr Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  11. "Charts.nz – Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Zephyr Song". Top 40 Singles.
  12. "Swisscharts.com – Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Zephyr Song". Swiss Singles Chart.
  13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  14. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
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