Identify songs from your browser. Download the Shazam Extension

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Red Hot Chili Peppers - If You Have To Ask - 7/25/1999 - Woodstock 99 East Stage (Official)
Watch Red Hot Chili Peppers - If You Have To Ask - 7/25/1999 - Woodstock 99 East Stage (Official) on YouTube

Featured In

Listen to Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
ALBUMBlood Sugar Sex MagikRed Hot Chili Peppers
Listen to Red Hot Chili Peppers Essentials featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLISTRed Hot Chili Peppers EssentialsApple Music Alternative
Listen to ’90s Alternative Essentials featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLIST’90s Alternative EssentialsApple Music ’90s
Listen to ’90s Rock Essentials featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLIST’90s Rock EssentialsApple Music Rock
Listen to Rock Classics featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLISTRock ClassicsApple Music Classic Rock
Listen to ’90s Hard Rock Essentials featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLIST’90s Hard Rock EssentialsApple Music Hard Rock
Listen to Guitar Greats Essentials featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLISTGuitar Greats EssentialsApple Music Rock
Listen to ’90s Workout featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLIST’90s WorkoutApple Music Fitness
Listen to Guitar Throwback featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLISTGuitar ThrowbackApple Music Alternative
Listen to Rock & Reps featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLISTRock & RepsApple Music Fitness
Listen to Weekend Warriors featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers
PLAYLISTWeekend WarriorsApple Music Hard Rock

Top Songs By Red Hot Chili Peppers

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Anthony Kiedis
Anthony Kiedis
Vocals
Chad Smith
Chad Smith
Drums
Flea
Flea
Bass
John Frusciante
John Frusciante
Guitar
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Anthony Kiedis
Anthony Kiedis
Songwriter
Chad Smith
Chad Smith
Songwriter
Flea
Flea
Songwriter
John Frusciante
John Frusciante
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Brendan O'Brien
Brendan O'Brien
Mixing Engineer
Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Producer
Howie Weinberg
Howie Weinberg
Mastering Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
A wanna be gangster thinking he's a wise guy
Rob another bank, he's a sock 'em in the eye guy
Tank head, Mr. Bonnie and Clyde guy
Look him in the eye, he's not my kinda guy
Never wanna be confusion proof
Pudding's sweet but too aloof
Orange eye girl with a backslide dew said
"Yo, homie who you talking to?"
A backed up paddywagon macking on a cat's ass
One uppercut to the cold upper middle class
Born to storm on boredom's face
And a little lust to the funky ass Flea bass
Most in the race just lose their grace
The blackest hole in all of space
Crooked as a hooker, now suck my thumb
Anybody wanna come get some?
[Chorus]
If you have to ask
You'll never know
Funky motherfucker
Will not be told to go
If you have to ask
You'll never know
Funky motherfucker
Will not be told to go
[Verse 2]
Don't ask me why I'm flying so high
Mr. Bubble meets superfly in my third eye
Searching for a soul bride, she's my freakette
Soak it up inside deeper than a secret
Much more than meets the eye
To the funk, I fall into my new ride
My hand, my hand
Magic on the one is a medicine man
Thinking of a few taboos that I ought to kill
Dancing on their face like a stage in Vaudeville
I feel so good, can't be understood
Booty of a hoodlum rocking my red hood
[Chorus]
If you have to ask
You'll never know
Funky motherfucker
Will not be told to go
If you have to ask
You'll never know
Funky motherfucker
Will not be told to go
Written by: Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, Flea, John Frusciante

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Chrome Web Store
Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2025 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out