“I Could Have Lied” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

“I Could Have Lied” is a 1991 song by one of America’s most popular bands, Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song was composed not long after Anthony Kiedis suffered a very crippling romantic heart break.

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Red Hot Chili Peppers's I Could Have Lied at Lyrics.org.

He had been in a romantic union with none other than singer Sinead O’Connor of “Nothing Compares 2 U” fame. The relationship between the two singers was very brief. It began in 1990 and ended that same year. According to Kiedis, he was totally heartbroken when Sinead suddenly brought their relationship to an end. “Shattered” was the exact word he used in describing how he felt after the relationship’s demise.

In his 2004 bestselling autobiography titled “Scar Tissue“, he shed some light on the said union and the birth of this song. According to the autobiography, the relationship instantaneously went from being perfect to Sinead brutally breaking his heart without any reason. Her decision to suddenly end the relationship in addition to leaving him devastated caught him totally unawares.

He further stated that he was so confused and hurt he didn’t know who he could lean on for comfort. So that night, he phoned his bandmate John Frusciante (who suggested they write a song about it).

Below is an excerpt from the autobiography in question where Kiedis talks about the inspiration behind “I Could Have Lied”:

Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis explains "I Could Have Lied"

By the next morning, both Kiedis and John had reportedly finished writing and recording “I Could Have Lied”.

The Lyrics of “I Could Have Lied”

The lyrics in the song’s verses basically center on a heartbroken Kiedis’ reaction to being dumped by the woman he loves. That’s the long and short of the 3 verses of the song.

It is in the song’s chorus where things get more interesting. Here, Kiedis begins with the line “I could have lied, I’m such a fool“. But what does he really mean by that?

What is happening in this line is Kiedis basically saying he was a fool to have told the truth to his woman. Apparently telling the truth to her was the reason she dumped him. And the said truth was that at some point in the course of the relationship, he cheated. He knew telling his woman about what he had done had the potential of causing major chaos in the relationship, however, because he didn’t want to lie to her, he gathered a lot of courage to tell her the truth.

Apparently the truth was so bitter that she dumped him. Now, seeing the devastation being honest has brought him, he feels like a fool. He could have just decided not to confess to Sinead and saved the relationship.

Lyrics of "I Could Have Lied"
I Could Have Lied

Facts about “I Could Have Lied”

This tune was primarily penned by Anthony Kiedis. However, his fellow band mates Flea, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith also hold writing credits. Production was handled by seasoned record producer and former Columbia Records co-president Rick Rubin.

Two things inspired the creation of “I Could Have Lied”. The first was Anthony Kiedis’ short-lived relationship with Sinead O’Connor. The second was the late Jimi Hendrix’s rendition of Bob Dylan’s iconic song “All Along the Watchtower“. Kiedis purposely put the song on repeat for the sole purpose of being inspired. At the end of the day, he eventually got the inspiration he needed to write the lyrics of “I Could Have Lied”.

“I Could Have Lied” is the sixth song on the track listing of the group’s fifth studio project “Blood Sugar Sex Magik”. The said project was also produced by Rubin.

This song was not one of five singles released from the above-noted project. “Give It Away”, released on the 4th of September 1991, is the projects’ first single. Its other singles are:

  • “Under the Bridge” (which was released on the 10th of March 1992)
  • “Suck My Kiss” (dropped on the 1st of May 1992)
  • “Breaking the Girl” (which came out on 30th July 1992)
  • “If You Have to Ask” (released in the month of February 1993)

When was “I Could Have Lied” released?

 “I Could Have Lied” was released, via Warner Music Group, on the 24th of September 1991. This song and its album were officially released on the same day. 

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