Snow (Hey Oh)

Personally, Snow (Hey Oh) is a metaphorical juxtaposition of idealism and reality. Many people (especially the RHCP) have had their shares of hard times, but eventually all misfortunes of the past get "covered with "snow." Ultimately, people create "realities" or "wonders" (in the words of Kiedis) that mask the true substantive nature of their situation. The song in its entirety is analgous to the postulate: "everyone views themselves (or their situation) in the light that flatters them most." Thus, the obscurest landscapes and the most jagged of edges are unified and beautified when covered with "snow." Metaphorically, "snow" is essentially the medium by which true reality is masked.

"The more I see the less I know The more I like to let it go…hey oh"

Additionally, the above lines serve to further the point that "snow" is the differential factor that obscures reality and idealism. As more "snow" accumulates, the less we know about the nature of what's beneath the "snow". Likewise, "The more I like to let it go", serves to illustrate the appeal of "snow," in that "snow" catalyzes dissociation with reality and initiates desire to associate more with the "ideal reality" than the "subtantive reality."

And yes, although not explicitly about drugs, this song could be used to refer to them, along with any other "skeletons in one's closet" that are dusted with "snow."

It's very introspective. It has to do with getting clean, and staying clean.

@ everyone (apparently, this is the cool way to start a post now): Chill out, it's just a website. We all come on here to see lyrics and discuss their meanings. No one cares about who's the "most hardcorest fan ever ever'', we just want to know what other people's opinions on the song meanings are. Most of you did that: thanks :). You are the people this website was created for. Thats all we ask. Nothing more, nothing less. Go ahead, rip me like you did the others (although really I wish you'd just let this all drop and move on with your lives) I, fortunately, have gotten the general jist of what most people think this song is about, therefore I probably won't be back. Have a good day and keep it clean (like snow)

by snow he is referring to cocaine.

In my opinion, the people who say this is about coke are right. I don't think he got over it in this song. At least the character didn't. The song goes from him being very addicted, and wanting to get over it, to being pulled in by the addiction. One thing I haven't seen anyone bring up is the end. Variations on "hey, hey yeah oh yeah tell my love now." I believe this means that he wants to tell his love that He's sorry, and that he's crying for help. The last chorus means something different to me. He was looking back on how he rationalized it, and realizing how right he was. People need another wonder, and everything he had was concealed by his addiction.

Guys, read his auto-biography Scar Tissue. This song is clearly about his cocaine-addiction when he was about 14 'til the late 90's. He has stated in interwievs about the song that this is true.

I discovered this song on a cold winter day when there was no dirt you could see, just a thick blanket of snow covering the ground. The kind that covers all your tracks. It doesn't have the same effect now that its spring and the snow has melted. :P

I believe this song is about a fresh start; prying yourself away from things that comfort, but possibly isolate you.

"when I sit alone come get a little known but I need more than myself this time" -you truly learn when you're around other people; not just yourself

"step from the road to the sea to the sky and I do believe that we rely on" -our paths in life are a journey; we rely on so much to get us through this journey

"when will I know that I really can't go to the well once more time to decide on" -the "well" could represent something that gives us comfort but also hurts us; or better yet, having justified access to that "well" that makes us feel better might be shaken by the changing dynamics in our lives. When do we realize it's no longer practical, useful, advantageous, or warranted given the unknown path we are really on and our unknown destination? Again, the "well" could mean anything that makes us feel better (whether it be drugs, the thought of another person which gives comfort, etc.)

"when it's killing me when will I really see all that I need to look inside" -that feeling of wanting to have what it takes to be self-sufficient. Specifically, wanting to SEE something(s) that allows you to truly look inside of yourself. Not having to resort to the well.

"come to believe that I better not leave before I get my chance to ride" -I love this part. the two lines above (about the well and seeing all you need to look inside) gives an impression of wanting to be self-sufficient. Now its about knowing that you want to take this strength you wish to be able to derive from yourself, applying it, and not giving up before you get your own chance to live.

"Hey oh listen what I say oh Come back and Hey oh look at what I say oh" -Investing in yourself, not focusing on the "well" so now YOU want to be listened to?

"The more I see the less I know the more I like to let it go" -snow covers up your past tracks you made in the ground. The more snow there is, the less you remember or know about whats beneath it; the more you are inclined to let it all go. Snow can represent new things that steadily fall into place in your life; once built up, it becomes difficult to see whats beneath it, or your past ways. OR... putting the concept of snow aside, the line above could just mean the more you see of whatever you need to "look inside" might make you know less and less about the well (through time) and whatever kind of (possibly redundant by now) comfort or support you might have derived from it

"Privately divided by a world so undecided and there’s nowhere to go" -Privately divided: mentally/internally not outwardly having mixed feelings for a "world so undecided" which could represent the untouched snow; a fresh path that hasn't been stepped on. It's undecided yet. nowhere to go: not obviously being pointed to any direction. Snow: represents new things in ones life. New things that cover up old ways.

"When to descend to amend for a friend all the channels that have broken down" -there's a fresh start ahead of you. On one hand you remember being so preoccupied and caught up with this well. But as new things come into your life, you let go of old ways. So now it comes to your attention all your connections with friends that have broken down when you were so preoccupied and not self-focused. When do you amend, catch up with, and rectify your life?

"Running through the field where all my tracks will be concealed and there's nowhere to go" -knowing that whatever you do now, your tracks will be covered up eventually.

Well just by listening to it once or twice, u can tell it's about trying to get off coke or heroin. Most people know he was a huge heroin addict. And he's just trying tp get off.

The actual meaning is about heroin. To be specific, the most expensive heroin in the world. It's imported from China and is a white color, hence the name 'snow'. Anthony used to be a major heroin addict, and used to buy this type of heroin all the time. He also used to try hide it by injecting inbetween his toes, as it says it on the track, 'running through a field...' Being high, 'where all my track will be concealed...' Hiding the marks from injecting.

hm..i think the snow bein cocaine may be true..but i think its about a guy coming clean..and he cant do it by himself.. hence But I need more than myself this time. This song evokes a great passion in me.its v v satisfying.,maybe my favourite chilli's song...