57 Meanings
Add Yours
Share
Q&A

Stadium Arcadium Lyrics

Bells around St. Petersburg
When I saw you
I hope I get what you deserve
And this is where I find
Smoke surround's your perfect face
And I’m falling
Pushin' a broom out into space
And this is where I found the way

The Stadium Arcadium
A mirror to the moon
(Mirror to the moon)
Well I’m forming and I’m warming
(Warming to you)
State of the art until the clouds come crashing
Stranger things have happened both
Before and afternoon
(Before and afternoon)
Well I’m forming
And I’m warming
(Warming to you)
Pushing myself and no I don’t mind asking now

Alone inside my forest room and it’s stormy
I never thought I’d be in bloom
But this is where I start

Derelict days, and the stereo plays
For the all night crowd that it cannot phase

And I’m calling

Tedious weeds that the media breeds
But the animal get's what the animal needs

And I’m sorry

Stadium Arcadium
A mirror to the moon
(Mirror to the moon)
And I’m forming and I’m warming
(Warming to you)
The state of the art until the clouds come crashing
Stranger things have happened both
Before and afternoon
(Before and afternoon)
Well I’m forming
And I’m warming
(Warming to you)
Pushing myself and no I don’t mind asking now

And this is where I find
Rays of dust that wrap around your citizen
Kind enough to disavow
This is where I stand

Stadium Arcadium
A mirror to the moon
(Mirror to the moon)
Well I’m forming and I’m warming
(Warming to you)
The state of the art until the clouds come crashing
Stranger things have happened both
Before and afternoon
(Before and afternoon)
And I’m forrming
And I’m warming
(Warming to you)
Pushing myself and no I don't mind asking

The Stadium Arcadium
A mirror to the moon
(Mirror to the moon)
Well I’m forming and I’m warming
(Warming to you)
State of the art until the clouds come crashing
Stranger things have happened both
Before and afternoon
(Before and afternoon)
Yeah I’m Forming
And I’m warming
To you
Song Info
Submitted by
quazy_qual On May 03, 2006
Questions and Answers

Ask specific questions and get answers to unlock more indepth meanings & facts.

57 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

First go at one of these, so sorry if I miss the mark. Secondly, I don't care if I do, it's what the song means to me, so I felt like sharing. When I say He, I mean it could be anyone, not any band member in particular.

"Bells around St. Petersburg When I saw you [[He meets a girl he likes]] I hope I get what you deserve [[He thinks the world of her and wants to feel the same way back]] And this is where I find Smoke surround's your perfect face [[Sad emotion making it obscure to be able to meet "face to face". Feelings of "not being good enough"]] And I’m falling [[Downward spiral of depression]] Pushin' a broom out into space [[Something that is unique to a person that no one does, but helps the person. You know, that one thing that you do that helps you whenever you feel down?]] And this is where I found the way [[He toughens up and makes his move]]

The Stadium Arcadium [[Picture perfect place]] A mirror to the moon (Mirror to the moon) [[Picture Perfect scenario]] Well I’m forming and I’m warming (Warming to you) [[He is mentally rebuilding himself and trying to fix his flaws, for her]] State of the art until the clouds come crashing [[To be the best there will be till the day the world ends]] Stranger things have happened both Before and afternoon [[It may be unbelievable, but it could happen, so don't be quick to judge]] (Before and afternoon) Well I’m forming And I’m warming (Warming to you) Pushing myself and no I don’t mind asking now [[Now he feels confident about talking to her about love and his feelings]]

Alone inside my forest room and it’s stormy [[Bad self esteem/loneliness]] I never thought I’d be in bloom [[Never thought he could fall in love]] But this is where I start [[but now he has]]

Derelict days, and the stereo plays For the all night crowd that it cannot phase [[no idea]]

And I’m calling [[he made his move]]

Tedious weeds that the media breeds But the animal get's what the animal needs [[he messed up, possibly due to something that is very usual or common, hence the "media" or the "norm"]]

And I’m sorry [[pretty self-explanitory]]

And this is where I find Rays of dust that wrap around your citizen [[Now he sees her in the perfect light and right image]] Kind enough to disavow [[he gets rid of his older, wrong, thoughts]] This is where I stand [[and now he says he wont go back to his mistakes]]"

Well, there ya go. That's what I think. I don't care if I'm wrong or anything, just wanted to share.

Even though I believe that singers sometimes deliberately deceive the audience by mutliple meaning lyrics that its undermeaning refer to several concepts ... yet match the singers emotions ... I believe that is one of the best interpretations I have came accross for this song so far. Thanks 4 sharing.

@Zummy: In a general sense I think Zammy got the song right, But in the specific I have a few ideas to add at the end. I think this is another song about a person (the writer?) saying he has evolvined into a new and improved individua for the girl. 1) Derelict days line- The guy has been partying like a bad boy and the music or party environment keeps going because that crowd continues to party and can't be bothered to see the light and stop. He tells the girl that he can't control that, only his behavior. 2)...

And to end- I should quickly and shortly (whew!) add that Anthony is stating that I am accepting what I now know to be your warts accept my past- relationships aren't perfect, let's start again on the "right foot"...

Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

I agree that this song is about the spiritual connection between a band and the audience. A very powerful song indeed.

Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the part where Anthony sings:

Alone inside my forest room and it�s stormy I never thought I�d be in bloom But this is where I start

I think it's a reference to Kurt Cobain, or at least Nirvana. I know he had immense respect for the band, and even more for Cobain himself. He also mentions Kurt in Californication and actually wrote about his suicide in Tearjerker. I'm not sure what the song "In Bloom" is about (...yet) so I can't say WHY he added this in the song, but I'm sure it's a nod to KC.

Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

This album is my favorite album of all time, but I had never really paid any mind to this song. This song is beautifully done, just like every RHCP song. I think this song is about a guy who meets an amazing girl (in whom he falls deeply in love with) and "Stadium Arcadium" is the mental state/place that she sends him. "state of the art until the clouds come crashing" is saying that this place and the feelings she gives him will never be outdone or met. I think that "tedious weeds that the media breeds, but the animal gets what the animal needs" is saying that he has been influenced or corrupted by drugs, and because of that he feels he isn't good enough for her and that it will never work out. He keeps pushing and trying, however. With "stranger things have happened both before and afternoon" he is saying the concept of it working out between them is a stretch, but you just never know; anything's possible and maybe someday things will work out. This is my interpretation of the song, and I think it's correct. It fits my situation almost identically.

My Interpretation
Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

This has got to be one of the most beautiful songs the chili peppers have ever written. It's really hard to interpret though.

Forming and warming seems to refer to having chemistry with a girl, but not quite being ready yet.

I have no idea what the Stadium Arcadium is though..other than it's a mirror to the moon, lol. A spaceship?

Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

haha I think it's about a planet? you know he's looking at it through a telescope and there's like space debris in the way and he wants to get rid of it (pushing a broom out into space) oh god I have no idea. it's a sweet song though.

Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

So far, I believe this is my favorite song on Stadium Arcadium. The lyrics and melody are both beautiful, and I could listen to it forever.

Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Here's what Anthony says:

When he songs he pictures 4 guys camping out in the wilderness playing music and connecting to the universe.

makes sense because I always thought of "Road Trippin" when I heard this song because of the mirror reference in both songs ("mirror for the sun" vs. "mirror to the moon") This song is what happened when they reached their destination. Perhaps spiritually as well as physically.

Not Valid
Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

this song is awesome. beautiful lyrics and arrangement. awesome album

Cover art for Stadium Arcadium lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

this is when the red hot chili peppers stop singing about drugs and start singing about love. This is the worst rhcp album yet, but it's still a great album