The Red Hot Chili Peppers cover art

  Studio Album · No. 1

The Red Hot Chili Peppers Songwriting Credits by Red Hot Chili Peppers

1984 EMI America Records 11 tracks 31 min

Produced by Andy Gill  ·  Engineered by Dave Jerden, Rob Stevens

EMI America Records Funk RockFunk MetalRap Rock
91%
Authorship
Artist

Holds writing credit on 10 of 11 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 10 / 11 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether Red Hot Chili Peppers carries a lyricist or composer credit.

91%
10 trackswritten by Red Hot Chili Peppers 1 trackoutside writers
Red Hot Chili Peppers's roles on this album

Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist82%
Composer91%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

11
Tracks
6
Lyricists
1
Producers
300,000
Worldwide Copies Sold
1984
Released
Data Insight

The Red Hot Chili Peppers is the band's 1984 debut, with songs credited to the group rather than to individual members. The recording lineup paired Anthony Kiedis and Flea with hired guitarist Jack Sherman, who replaced founding member Hillel Slovak, and drummer Cliff Martinez. Andy Gill of Gang of Four produced, a choice the band later said pushed the material toward a cleaner, more new-wave sound than their live act. The album is mostly original group compositions, but it closes with a cover of Hank Williams' 'Why Don't You Love Me,' so the writing here is not entirely the band's own.

The band's debut studio album, produced by Andy Gill of Gang of Four. A raw, low-fidelity fusion of funk and punk rock that established their irreverent Los Angeles sound.

Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
True Men Don't Kill Coyotes
Anthony KiedisFleaJack ShermanCliff Martinez Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJack ShermanCliff Martinez Andy Gill Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
2
Baby Appeal
Anthony KiedisFleaJack ShermanCliff MartinezHillel Slovak Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJack ShermanCliff MartinezHillel Slovak Andy Gill Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
3
Buckle Down
Anthony KiedisFleaJack ShermanCliff Martinez Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJack ShermanCliff Martinez Andy Gill Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
4
Get Up and Jump
Anthony KiedisFlea Anthony KiedisMichael Peter Balzary Andy Gill Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
5
Why Don't You Love Me
Hank Williams Hiram King Williams Andy Gill Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
6
Green Heaven
Anthony KiedisFlea Anthony KiedisMichael Peter Balzary Andy Gill Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
7
Mommy Where's Daddy
Anthony KiedisFleaJack ShermanCliff Martinez Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJack ShermanCliff Martinez Andy Gill Gwen Dickey
8
Out in L.A.
Anthony KiedisFlea Anthony KiedisMichael Peter Balzary Andy Gill Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
9
Police Helicopter
Anthony KiedisFlea Anthony KiedisMichael Peter Balzary Andy Gill Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
10
You Always Sing the Same
Flea Michael Peter Balzary Andy Gill Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
11
Grand Pappy Du Plenty
Not documented Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJack ShermanCliff MartinezAndy Gill Andy Gill -

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 10 contributors

More from Red Hot Chili Peppers

Frequently Asked Questions The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Did the Red Hot Chili Peppers write The Red Hot Chili Peppers themselves?
Most of the debut album consists of original songs credited to the full band, including Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Jack Sherman and Cliff Martinez. One track is a cover: 'Why Don't You Love Me' was written by Hank Williams. So the album is largely the band's own writing apart from that single outside composition.
Who produced the Red Hot Chili Peppers' debut album?
Andy Gill, guitarist of the post-punk band Gang of Four, produced the 1984 debut. The band later said his approach steered the record toward a slicker, more new-wave sound than their funk-driven live performances. It was the only Chili Peppers album he produced.
Who played guitar on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' first album?
Jack Sherman played guitar on the debut. He replaced founding guitarist Hillel Slovak, who had left before the recording sessions. Sherman performed on the album and a supporting tour but did not stay with the band long-term.
Is Why Don't You Love Me on the album a cover?
Yes. 'Why Don't You Love Me' is a cover of a song written by country musician Hank Williams. It appears on the debut album as the band's reworking of the original.
Did The Red Hot Chili Peppers chart on the Billboard 200?
The album did not reach the main Billboard 200. It bubbled under at number 201 for several weeks in late 1984. Commercial success came on later albums.
What was the single from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' debut?
'Get Up and Jump' was released as a single from the debut in 1984. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The album as a whole achieved little commercial success at the time.

Sources