# Can't Stop (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)

"Can't Stop" is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, from their eighth studio album, By the Way (2002). It was released as the third single from the album on February 3, 2003.
"Can't Stop" became the band's eighth number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it was number one for three weeks. It reached number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Can't Stop" performed well on international charts and the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

## Composition

The song is instrumentally composed in 4/4 standard time and in the key of E minor. The verse plays twice before the bridge, as well as the chorus. During the bridge, Frusciante plays sparsely in a reggae style, only strumming on the up-beat. Following the bridge, Frusciante utilizes a fuzz (Big Muff Pi by Electro Harmonix) in his solo. He also makes extensive use of a tone-bend.
Lyrically, "Can't Stop" is a prime example of the band's occasional use of writing lyrics to an established rhythm, rather than rhythms to established lyrics. Anthony Kiedis writes in his typical circumlocutory style. Nonetheless, the predominant theme of cultivating an inner, personal energy (evidenced in the title and the final line: "This life is more than just a read-through.") can be understood in almost every line. The verses are addressed to the listener (or perhaps to himself), in an instructional tone, with references to Kiedis's own life, as well as citing the inspiration of Defunkt ("Defunkt, the pistol that you pay for") and Julia Butterfly Hill ("J. Butterfly is in the treetops"). The bridge marks a slight departure, as Kiedis suggests he had temporarily forgotten this philosophy, and looks to a new girlfriend to help himself back on his feet.

## Reception and chart performance

The song itself is distinct, especially when in comparison to the various other tracks on By the Way. Some consider the song to be among the only true punk/funk sounds on the entire album, along with "Throw Away Your Television". "Can't Stop" was considered to be "energetic" and melodically encompassing, by combining textured, melodic, and funky themes together into one. It has been widely regarded as one of the band's best songs.
The song was the Chili Peppers' eighth number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and second from the album By the Way. It also peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is a live performance staple for the band.

## Music video

The Mark Romanek-directed music video for the single, released on January 24, 2003, features all four of the band members doing seemingly random and excessively abstract actions such as holding many water bottles or attempting to balance buckets on their heads. It begins with the camera swooping through a yellow tube to Anthony Kiedis, wearing glasses, and is subsequently followed by the foursome running through a hall with light fixtures attached to their backs. The band engages in various activities, such as wearing a giant purple hippopotamus mask, playing with rubber balls, jumping, abstract scenes with boxes, buckets, water bottles, trash cans, flying through the air, pink foam peanuts, plants, playing guitar in a room full of empty blue chairs/room with lamps turning on and off.
At certain segments of the video, guitarist John Frusciante is playing a silver Fender Stratocaster and an orange Toronado, which is unlike his style due to the fact that he only plays vintage guitars (both guitars being under five years of age). Frusciante later explained he was instructed to play the guitars by director Mark Romanek since they blended well with the color scheme used in the video.
Inspiration for the video was attributed to Austrian artist Erwin Wurm, as indicated by the sign at the end of the video. The lighting was positioned in order to provide a clean-cut, contemporary atmosphere which would integrate with the video's concept. Orange was chosen to be the backsplash color by Romanek. His creative hand attempted to mirror Wurm's abstract "One Minute Sculptures", by having the band perform random scenes, which seem to fit no purpose. However, in retrospect, they were not intended to be anything more than an homage.
The music video includes alternate audio mixing than what was published on the feature album, By the Way. The alternate mixing was provided by Frusciante, who made the bass, backing vocals, and handclaps much less quiet. This alternate mixing was released under the CD singles 2, 3, & the 7-inch single as "Can't Stop" (John Frusciante single mix).

## Track listings

CD single 1
* "Can't Stop" (John Frusciante single mix) – 4:29
* "If You Have to Ask" (live)
* "Christchurch Fireworks Music" (live) – 5:42
CD single 2
* "Can't Stop" (John Frusciante single mix) – 4:29
* "Right on Time" (live)
* "Nothing to Lose" (live) – 12:58
CD single 3 and 7-inch single
* "Can't Stop" (John Frusciante single mix) – 4:29
* "Christchurch Fireworks Music" (live) – 5:42

## Personnel

Red Hot Chili Peppers
* Anthony Kiedis – lead vocals, rap
* John Frusciante – guitar, handclaps, backing vocals
* Flea – bass, backing vocals in live performances
* Chad Smith – drums, handclaps

## Charts

2003 chart performance for "Can't Stop" :
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 38 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 65 |
| Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) | 31 |
| Croatia (HRT) | 7 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 47 |
| France (SNEP) | 68 |
| Germany (GfK) | 48 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 30 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 22 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 23 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 65 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 40 |
| Scotland (OCC) | 16 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 70 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 39 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 22 |
| UK Rock & Metal (OCC) | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 57 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 15 |
2023 chart performance for "Can't Stop" :
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
| Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan) | 20 |
2024 chart performance for "Can't Stop" :
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
| Global 200 (Billboard) | 194 |

## Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Can't Stop" :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000$^‡$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Platinum | 300,000$^‡$ |
| Italy (FIMI) | Platinum | 50,000$^‡$ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 4× Platinum | 120,000$^‡$ |
| Portugal (AFP) | 3× Platinum | 30,000$^‡$ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | Platinum | 60,000$^‡$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | 3× Platinum | 1,800,000$^‡$ |
| United States (RIAA) | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000$^‡$ |
| $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

Release history and formats for "Can't Stop" :
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) |
| Australia | February 3, 2003 | CD | Warner Bros. |
| United Kingdom | February 10, 2003 | CD | Warner Bros. |
| Japan | February 13, 2003 | CD | Warner Bros. |
| Germany | February 20, 2003 | CD | Warner Bros. |

## In other media

The Los Angeles Rams often use the song to start crowd chants or when the team enters the field from the player tunnel. Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss often performs the song in an effort to entertain fans.
In 2019, Australian hip-hop group Hilltop Hoods performed a cover of the song on Triple J's Like a Version.
The song was performed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the LA28 segment of the 2024 Summer Olympics closing ceremony.
The song was featured in WWE 2k23.