Red Hot Chili Peppers released their new single “Eddie,” a tribute to Eddie Van Halen and the latest track preview from their new album Return of the Dream Canteen.
In a statement on the song, Anthony Kiedis said, “Sometimes we don’t realize how deeply affected and connected we are to artists until the day they die. Eddie Van Halen was a one of a kind. The day after his death Flea came into rehearsal with an emotional bassline.”
He continued, “John, Chad and I started playing along and pretty soon with all our hearts, a song in his honor effortlessly unfolded. It felt good to be sad and care so much about a person who had given so much to our lives.”
Kiedis concluded, “Although the song doesn’t speak to Eddie by name, it talks about his early days on the Sunset Strip and the rock n roll tapestry that Van Halen painted on our minds. In the end, our song asks that you not remember Eddie for dying but for living his wildest dream.”
Even if the song wasn’t named “Eddie,” the lyrics would be a dead giveaway it was about the legendary guitarist. Some lyrics include, “They say I’m from Amsterdam, does that make me Dutch?” and “Smoking the reefer, feeling my own light/My brother’s a keeper, I married a TV wife.” Interestingly, while the song doesn’t namecheck EVH, it does reference David Lee Roth with the lyrics, “Please don’t remember me, for what I did with David/You know I’m talkin’ David Lee.”
“Eddie” is the second track preview from Return of the Dream Canteen, the new Chili Peppers album due out October 14. The first preview came via “Tippa My Tongue,” which dropped in August.
This is the second album from the band in 2022 following the release of Unlimited Love in April. This is also the second studio album from the band since the return of guitarist John Frusciante.
Return of the Dream Canteen is currently available for pre-order digitally here, while physical copies (vinyl, CD and cassette) are available for pre-order at Music.RedHotChiliPeppers.com.
