Even You Brutus? by Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Betrayal and Heartache
Lyrics
When it feels so strong it’s hard to wait
You never know how it might unfold
Hearts to break and bodies to hold
Time will tell but it never gets old
Like I told you I’m in for the long long
Had to of been one of those things that took place in outer space
A match made in heaven, not a scratch on her face
Angels must have smoked some dust
Singing songs about “In God We Trust”
Something slide, but this is a must
Like I told you there’s a time for finding out
People try to tell me what not to do
You shouldn’t make it with a younger girl and
Too many chances for the foot to drop,
I tried to tell ’em that I found a pearl, well
Like I told you be careful what you’re asking for
This is to Brutus
Gotta mess of a better hell, ow
This is to Judas
Even you never had my back
She was the cutest thing that I ever did see
A drink in her hand and I don’t mean tea
She was with a dude, but I just didn’t care
I had to find out, these moments are rare
And Stevie says, “All is fair”
Like I told you there is something for everyone
Well, I guess I never told you some things
That I really, really wanted to say
Did I do everything I could do,
Or did the mice just need to play?
Like I told you there’s more than meets the eye
This is to Brutus
Gotta mess of a better hell, ow
I said this is to Judas
Even you never had my back
I’m not trying to point fingers at you
And I’m not trying to lay any blame
But when it comes to the punishment
Girl you know how to bring the pain
Like I told you I’d do it all again
This is to Brutus
I gotta mess of a better hell, ow
I said this is to Judas
Even you never had my back
Come on
This is to Brutus
There’s a jury to the woman’s lap, ow
This is to Judas
Even you never had my back
In a poetic dive into the sprawling catalogue of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, ‘Even You Brutus?’ stands out as a testament to the band’s ability to merge the raw emotionality of love and betrayal with historical allusion. The track, with its lingering piano riffs and Anthony Kiedis’s impassioned vocals, offers a rich tapestry of narrative and metaphor that beckons a deeper look.
Vivid imagery, classic references, and personal reflection collide in this haunting song. Within each line lies a layer of introspection, as well as a nod to timeless themes of loyalty and deceit. Peel back the veneer of the virtuosic instrumentals, and an insightful tale emerges, begging the question: who is the Brutus to your Caesar?
The Echoes of Antiquity in Modern Melodies
Kiedis notably marries contemporary relationship woes with the grandeur of historical betrayal. The song’s title itself, ‘Even You, Brutus?’ echoes Julius Caesar’s last words upon being stabbed by his friend and protege, Brutus. This ancient roman backdrop serves as more than just a dramatic reference; it embodies the depth of personal treachery Kiedis feels in a modern setting.
The song’s chorus, outlining Brutus and Judas – infamous for his betrayal of Jesus – underlines a narrative of personal digs and traitorous backs turned. This juxtaposition of the past with the biting sting of present-day miseries hints at the cyclical nature of human deceit, transcending time and place.
A Toast to Love’s Intoxicating Grip and Reckoning
Visualize a young Kiedis, mesmerized by an enigmatic beauty ‘with a drink in her hand,’ the allure irresistible even as it beckons him towards potential heartbreak. There’s a stark acknowledgment of risk, a possible ‘scratch’ suggesting vulnerability, as one navigates the celestial elements of romance, as fickle as ‘angels must have smoked some dust.’
The danger of such infatuation is echoed in warning verses: ‘People try to tell me what not to do.’ The narrative foreshadows the perils of falling for someone potentially wrong or forbidden. But as with most Red Hot Chili Peppers anthems, the song unapologetically celebrates the pursuit of love, regardless of consequences.
Navigating the Complexity of Age and Wisdom
Addressing the critiques of age-difference in romance, the band refuses to adhere to societal norms dictating whom one should love (‘You shouldn’t make it with a younger girl’). Such poignant discord within the lyrics suggests a rebellion against conventional morality, implying that wisdom and convention might play second fiddle to passion and experience.
The introspective query ‘Did I do everything I could do, or did the mice just need to play?’ implies a struggle between one’s responsibilities and the yearning to break free. It questions the implications of taking risks for love, and whether satisfaction lies in prudence or in the unbridled chase of desire.
Decoding the Symbolism Behind a Jarring Betrayal
The song’s hidden meaning unfolds through its chorus, loudly proclaiming, ‘Even you never had my back.’ It motions towards a broader metaphorical significance, hinting at the doubtful loyalty of peers and the bitter sting when one who is trusted turns away. The Chili Peppers thus offers a sonic journey through the labyrinth of trust, one as intricate and treacherous as any Greek myth.
By invoking Brutus and Judas, Kiedis distills the essence of betrayal and the searing pain it inflicts. These historical figures are not mere characters in the story; they morph into symbols of every back-stabber the listener has ever known. The phrase ‘got a mess of a better hell’ layers in the complication of emotions entwined with betrayal—hot like hell but oddly, a preferred chaos.
The Haunting Refrain that Lingers in Collective Memory
What sticks with listeners long after the song ends is the recurring plea – a grievance against the Brutuses and Judases of Kiedis’s own tale. The questions raised by the song’s memorable lines resonate with anyone who has ever questioned loyalty within their own life’s odyssey. It’s a universal cry that captures the anguish of finding out your confidants might not be confidants at all.
‘This is to Brutus, this is to Judas,’ is uttered in both accusation and resignation—a knowing nod to the inevitable pain that relationships, even the most intimate ones, can bring. The phrase embodies a powerful juxtaposition of acceptance and an undercurrent of bleak, unvarnished honesty that marks much of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ songwriting genius.
