: Lead singer Anthony Kiedis reportedly gave the directors full creative freedom on one condition: they had to "make us look like the Gods of Funk".
: This was the first music video to feature guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith . Frusciante's melodic sensibilities and Flea’s "thunderous" slap bass—which famously replaced the keyboard line of the original—became the foundation of their signature sound. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground (Official Music Video)
: The original premise for the video involved having Stevie Wonder sit in a lotus position while the band danced around him. Although Wonder declined to appear, the band used the track to pay homage to his massive influence on popular music. Historical Significance and "Firsts" : Lead singer Anthony Kiedis reportedly gave the
: Beyond the technicality, the song's themes of reincarnation and spiritual progression resonated deeply with the band during their recovery from a turbulent era. Flea noted that the track was about "raising and uplifting yourself spiritually," a message that helped unify the new lineup. : The original premise for the video involved
: The video features the band performing in front of a blue screen, which was filled with abstract animated images and gritty war footage, creating a vibrant, psychedelic backdrop.
Directed by and Bill Stobaugh , the video is characterized by its manic, "visually jarring" aesthetic that mirrored the band's high-energy stage presence.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 1989 music video for —a high-voltage cover of Stevie Wonder’s 1973 classic—served as a pivotal commercial breakthrough that transitioned the band from underground funk-rockers to MTV mainstays. Released as the lead single from their fourth album, Mother's Milk , the video captures the raw energy of a band undergoing a major transformation following the tragic loss of founding guitarist Hillel Slovak. Creative Direction and Visual Style