Red Hot Chili Peppers - If You Have to Ask Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When was 'If You Have to Ask' released as a single?

   'If You Have to Ask' was released as the fifth and final single from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 1991 studio album Blood Sugar Sex Magik in 1993.

2. Was a music video made for 'If You Have to Ask'?

   Yes, a music video was made. It consists of live footage from a 1992 show in Wellington, New Zealand. The video is notable for featuring guitarist Arik Marshall and is one of only two videos with him.

3. Why was the song banned from radio stations?

   The song was banned from radio stations because of the explicit line in the chorus: 'funky motherf--kers will not be told to go.'

4. What style are the lyrics in the verses?

   The lyrics in the verses are in a stream of consciousness style comprised of non-sequiturs, enhancing the overall theme of absurdity and randomness in the song.

5. Is the song available on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Greatest Hits album?

   No, 'If You Have to Ask' is not featured on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Greatest Hits album. The video was also rarely aired on music television.

6. Did the band or production crew influence the final recording with additional sounds?

   During the recording, the production crew and the band can be heard applauding guitarist John Frusciante after his solo at the end of the song. No attempts were made to edit out this applause or to re-record it.