Blood Sugar Sex Magik Songs Ranked

Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band’s previous album Mother’s Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album’s subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance. The album is recognized as an influential and seminal component of the alternative rock explosion of the early 1990s, with Steve Huey of AllMusic calling it “probably the best album the Chili Peppers will ever make.” Here are all of Blood Sugar Sex Magik’s songs ranked.

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17. They’re Red Hot

“A cover of a Robert Johnson song, this crazy fast song is icing on the cake. It was preformed outside. Chad Smith hits the drums with his hands. It is a freaky way to close out a perfect album. It may seem weird to hear this after Sir Psycho Sexy, but I think it fits in perfectly.”

16. My Lovely Man

“Another underrated song. It has a great driving verse and then a super funky chorus to lighten things up. Then Frusciante goes nuts and loses his mind to play one of the most powerful solos I have heard. Towards the end, the bouncy bass and quiet guitar embellishments easily make this song incredible. Also, it is said that this song is about the death of Chili Peppers’ guitarist and founding member, Hillel Slovak.”

15. Apache Rose Peacock

“A great funk song with some odd instrumentation. Flea plays a trumpet as well as one of those tiny German pianos on this track. The lyrics are colorful and fun. The bassline is great. Overall a solid song.”

14. The Greeting Song

“Anthony Kiedis absolutely despises this song. I could never figure out why. I mean, yeah, the lyrics aren’t the most original. But the instruments are all playing at full power with a very punk feel to things mixed with some Zeppelin. We also get a very airy clean guitar solo here.”

13. Mellowship Slinky in B Major

“A very funky song. Cool fretless guitar solo if you are into that kind of thing. Not much to say really, it is just pure funk.”

See more: Red Hot Chili Peppers Albums Ranked

11. Naked in the Rain

“Closest thing to old school Chili Peppers you will find here. Flea plays an absolutely thunderous slap part and an even better solo. The drumming is solid. It also has a very underrated wah and chorus soaked solo if you ask me.”

10. If You Have to Ask

“Frusciante plays one jangly funk stab over a funky bassline for almost the entirety of this short song. The rapping is nothing incredible, yet still contributes to the whole feel. At the end, we hear a very hendrixy guitar solo, followed by the sounds of everyone involved in the recording clapping and applauding Frusciante’s solo.”

9. Funky Monks

“One of my personal favorites if I had to pick favorites. The song changes so much in it’s nearly 6 minute run time. Flea starts out with a simple thumping bassline. It then evolves into something very dangerous. Frusciante’s funky guitar work is immaculate for the whole song, but when he comes in for the solo during the bridge, you know it is about to get real. Flea then finishes the song with one of the best outros I have ever heard. I only wish that the song would have kept the original longer outro.”

8. The Power of Equality

“From the start we get a very odd repeated riff that Frusciante plays to create a trance for listeners. Flea’s bass is ominous and foreboding, giving the sense something big is going to happen. Not much else to say here. There are funky choruses, an even funkier bridge, and an absolutely chaotic yet simple one-note solo from Frusciante. Anthony’s lyrics aren’t shakespeare, but you get the impression he is passionate about what he is rapping about.”

7. Blood Sugar Sex Magik

“The album’s title track does not disappoint. Not only does it have a super slinky guitar and bass part, it also has Anthony saying some very sexual things, though they have there place here for sure. You can feel the power in the whole band just letting loose into it at the end.”

See more: Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs Ranked

6. I Could Have Lied

“I love the pacing on this album. This song is such a complement to Suck My Kiss. It is soft and broken, literally (John Frusciante played the guitar part without a string or two). Anthony’s lyrics are very somber and John’s two crying guitar solos perfectly fit with the vocals.”

5. Sir Psycho Sexy

“Yes. The lyrics are very vulgar. But I think they are great. Not only are they powerful, they are also funny. By the end, they are almost introspective. It would be easy to overlook the instrumentals because of the strong language. However, the many basslines here are all funky and perfect, using a dying envelope filter to get that talking sound on the verses. The outro is ridiculously smooth and finishes off a perfect record. It fades into the night sounds.”

4. Breaking the Girl

“Anthony really brings some great lyrics to the table here. Frusciante’s 12 string guitar is almost as middle-eastern sounding as it is psychedelic. Then, during the bridge, you hear thunderous percussion that sounds like a junkyard exploding. Chad, John, Anthony, and Flea all went to a junkyard and got some metal to create some noise on. This really ties it all together.”

3. Give It Away

“Here it is. The most popular song on the album without a doubt. And for good reason too. It has an extremely catchy guitar part, bassline, and chorus. An added bonus is the awesome backwards guitar solos that Frusciante does a la Hendrix. You can even hear the riff of Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf” at the end. What a powerful song.”

2. Suck My Kiss

“Flea and Frusciante both play the same notes to give a massive sound to the main riff. Anthony is explosive and Chad’s drumming is just unrelenting. Frusciante’s frantic solo is on the verge of collapse. A thrill ride in just under four minutes.”

1. Under the Bridge

“Awe-inspiring. Beautiful lyrics? Check. Memorable guitar work? Check. Phenomenal outro with guitarist Frusciante’s mom and choir singers? Check.”