John Frusciante - Smile From The Streets You Hold

[123xxmoomoo]

I fucking love this song!

[sircumeference]

River sings on this record right?

[elnoydelamare]

@severinmortensen I agree as well. And this is coming from someone who used to really dislike John's music (when my brother played it for me as a young teenager). I rediscovered it recently and found I was really pulled in by his first 2 albums. I'm glad he continued his solo career but this earlier stuff is so beautiful, in a kind of very organic, un-self conscious way. I'm not trying to sound pretentious, but that's the best way I can describe it! I'm so happy we have these albums.

[gusia089]

@severinmortensen I totally agree with you

[gusia089]

music is incredibly brilliant, but his voice betrays the condition which he was in that time

[Wolfsherz]

Music that makes men cry.

[000theUnforgiven000]

I am talking out of personal experience but when I discovered John Frusciante in my late teens his music opened up a part of my soul that I never knew existed. Suddenly I was changed and I could see the world differently, I now see beauty in the simple things.

[AmandaRHTP]

I have only 13 years and I'm a big fan of John

May even be that John is not singing well, but you can feel the emotion, the love he has for music. He recorded when he was almost dying(because of drugs), but this album is a masterpiece. I love John

[Allenbass7]

@AmandaRHTP this is actually one of the few song on SFTSYH that was recorded during the 'Niadra LaDes' time. But you know, he already had as many tracks as would fit onto a CD on Niandra so this recording was brought forward on this album instead. That being said........he was still pretty drugged out for both. And that being said... still two of the best albums ever recorded!

Emotion!

[disturbedisbeast]

Im so happy that when I scroll through these comments I see mostly positive, insightful comments. I feel like everyone who listens to John's music are the most wise, philosophical people and you're all beautiful :)

[braindrain52389]

i just started playing guitar about a year ago and it's very frustrating for a beginner , i basically have no clue what i'm doing right now. but i have this deep desire to learn and play well and john frusciante inspires me to keep practicing because it's not about being perfect, it's about feeling.

[solemnsmiling]

i love you. i love you. why can't you love me. i've done all i can for you. and it isnt good enough. its not good enough. im not good enough. repeat. 0:00 ..... im sorry. im so sorry.

[55carlitox]

What pedal use in the solo?

[RedMonkeys24]

@55carlitox its not a pedal. i don't think. He's playing guitar track backwards to make a fucking awesome sound.

[12inchvertical]

@55carlitox he uses a backwards tape effect i think ... generally John's sound is pretty heavily coloured by an EHX microsynthesiser though.

[ScrewlooseTheMiniste]

This whole album is so fucking amazing, it has a feel like no other album that I have ever heard. John is the best, he makes you feel his music even if you have no idea what he is saying in his lyrics, you can think of them what you want, beautiful piece of art. Lucky to have this album.

[smokencoke1]

Smile from the streets you hold and niandra lades and usually just a t-shirt are my favorite records. The rawness of each strikes such a deep chord in me, he's not afraid to show everyone himself inside and out. His heart is honest, and his soul is genuine. Such a fantastic collection of art. The fact that the majority of population doesn't know or simply doesn't like these sounds makes me even happier. I feel like it's just for me and people similar to me to enjoy. Love it

[disturbedisbeast]

@smokencoke1 i love you.

[PaulderDreher]

he brought this album out to buy heroin ,yes is v

[TonysFlows]

one of my fav songs.

[robin8110]

Beautiful

[TehSorso]

4:20 he was downright crying.

[frusciantegirl99]

0:52 is he saying "toast" or something? xD

[DarkJinx257]

@frusciantegirl99 He said "A toast to us"

[TheConnorBallard]

amazon want £147 for this album! fuck!!!

[MyLoVeLyMaN]

Can anybody say what the title mean? (if it means something.. XD)

I can't get it..

[andow7]

@MyLoVeLyMaN think it means appreciate what you have, could be wrong though

[MyLoVeLyMaN]

@andow7

Uhm thanks ;) actually I think I got it, the lyrics says:

"Always smile from the street

You hold my heart in my hands while I’m beat"

so you hold..was referred to my heart..so in the album title he just mantained that "you hold"..

I don't know ;)

[Jwo32]

@MyLoVeLyMaN iits the end of one lyric run into the start of another 'You always smile from the streets, you hold my heart in my hands when i'm beat'

[TheWeirdo1000]

Fuck. I would pay large sums of money to gain possession of this album. Like, for reals.

[fashpart]

@TheWeirdo1000 try ebay, thats where i got mine

[muaythai193]

Now is this record not on ITUNES???

Someone please send me a link where I can buy this for my Ipod! :)

[Colunga210]

These are like field recordings to me. John had to go to a very dangerous place to record this album and made it out alive.

A lot of people go there but never record it. These are brilliant.

[dlofnep27]

This album is £90!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(

[musicclearstheair]

@dlofnep27 Really? I got it for like 25... Lucky me I guess:)

[andow7]

@musicclearstheair he means 90 euros not american currency

[andow7]

@musicclearstheair nvm your in europe, haha sorry

[wombocombogtx]

lol

[pepijnn7]

somehow i feel for him while hearing this music

good thing he got back up from his addiction

[Edenov]

This is Art.

[q0zi]

Play this song with just your right headphone in

[richy12377]

beautiful..

[devildogpete]

WTF is this TRASH. This is what happens when you leave an autistic kid alone in a recorfding studio.

[taniatuning]

@devildogpete YOU ARE REAL?WTF ARE YOU SAYING!!!! SERIOUSLY YOUR PARENTS BUY YOU ALL. WHAT YOU REALLY WANT? THIS IS JUST A "DELIRIO" OF A MEN.

[taniatuning]

@devildogpete SERUISLY ARE YOU REAL!!!!11¿???? STUPID IGNORANT!!!!! FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU I AM INBENCIBLE.

[RHCPlover2802]

@devildogpete you're insane man ._. fine, it's ok that YOU don't like the JF music but you don't have to say it's trash!! IF YOU DON'T LIKE HIM DON'T LISTEN HIM!! ._.

[lk610]

@devildogpete your comment is what happens when you leave an asshole alone with the computer

[NIMRODakaNIMROD]

I think the whole Album "Smile From The Streets You Hold" totally epitomizes the concept of "emotion before technique". Frusciante undoubtedly sounded like the trainwreck he was at the time. Still the raw aesthetic of his guitar playing is undeniable and sets emotion to music in such an unfiltered manner that one cannot help but be astonished... and maybe even feel somewhat miserable. It's even more astonishing if one compares this to his later work as it makes his recovery even more inspiring.

[SteveClose99]

@NIMRODakaNIMROD and that is what makes a great musician. Kiedis is the same way. During the One Hot Minute era Kiedis was secretly back on drugs, he didnt want his other band mates to know but if you look at the lyrics from the album its obvious. he sings what he feels

[rtuhsrtysrty]

@NIMRODakaNIMROD You pretentious douchebag

I don't even know if this can be considered music 

[Ewendude1]

@rtuhsrtysrty By pretentious you mean right? It amazes me how you have nothing better to do than to post negative comments on music as touching as this.. if you don't like it, don't listen to it. It was always that simple.

[000theUnforgiven000]

@rtuhsrtysrty this is way over your head. Just gtfo.

[rtuhsrtysrty]

@000theUnforgiven000 Alright, what am I missing?

[000theUnforgiven000]

@rtuhsrtysrty An open mind and the ability of putting things into context. Regardless of how NIMORDakaNIMROD said what he said, he still makes a point. This album was recorded at home during a period of heroin addiction and depression so don't come here expecting big company production and performance. It is very low-fi, and while lacking in "form" it makes up in substance, the emotions are real and behind some of the apparent crazyness there are some very beautiful and inspiring melodies.

[TehSorso]

@rtuhsrtysrty You're wasting your time around here dude, nobody can make you like John's songs. You either like it or don't, everything else is bullshit.

[kawaguchimaster]

@TehSorso Your comment doesnt really make sense, yet it still for some reason one of the greatest comments i have ever seen on this website

[Imperator114]

@rtuhsrtysrty just because someone can write well, you insinuate they are pretentious. that person was commenting on the song; your comment was idiotic. douche.

[VoluntaryZonkey]

@NIMRODakaNIMROD put my feelings into words. thanks :)

[mizzpipedream]

this must be one of the best songs.

im hoping so badly he really makes a rerelease

[abar1204]

@mizzpipedream he rereleased them recently i think, like in the past 5 years i think

[mowyjoe]

@abar1204 pretty sure he hasnt, he just said a while ago he might rerelease smile from the streets at some point

[mizzpipedream]

@abar1204 mhmm i couldn't find anything though.. :(

[abar1204]

@mizzpipedream oh truee. try ebay, they always have shit like that

[XXcatbones]

Johns music has been unique in the sense that it is the only music that has really deeply effected me...... in such a strong and beautiful way. I love you John <3

[Agravesituation]

He might be a great guitarist, but what he really is is probably one of the best ARTISTS this world has ever seen. each song like a painting, and he has a collection wider than that of Van Gough or Picasso

[IRudeRocko]

listen with just right headphone, then just left headphone, different experience.

[jknoahfan]

I have been a Chili Peppers fan for a while so I have been familiar with John's work. When I first heard this song it hit me in such an emotional way I almost cry every time I hear it.

[siksadlitlwrld]

@jknoahfan Indeed..same here

[zeyogoat]

the end is so lovely?

[mainvideos2009]

Lol yesterday when I was drunk I tried singing along and I was like making all these mumbaling noises fun lol

[77hazzy]

fucking awesome, people say best guitarist in the last 30 years he is the best this world has ever seen and will ever see.

[sisirkom]

can't hear any lyrics . no vocals ?

[Manwithcam]

Why do cool people use drugs?

[atlas4emporor]

@Manwithcam Dude, the reason they're cool is BECAUSE they use drugs.

[eleemosynary24]

@Manwithcam people, cool or not, use drugs for the same reason fat people use food, rich people use shopping, sad people use self-harm, dumb people use religion, etc. often, it's about dissatisfied resignation or fear, but coping mechanisms are as diverse as the brain issues that make them necessary. everyone uses something. humans are messy creatures. love them if you can.

[LAKAIorDIE125]

@eleemosynary24 brilliantly said.

[RainBack1987]

This song reminds me to Radiohead

[jewsmakingmovies]

The instrumentals are amazing but I like Anthony's voice much better. I really wish John would stay in the chilis...

[1262344]

the screem at 4:18 sens chills up my spine

[DRUMMERxONxTHExRUN]

the guitar has a beatleesque vibe to it

[goodvibesallround]

This album is so hard to find....goddamm it. I managed to get hold of a copy of usually jus a t-shirt though.

[MrSashoks]

@goodvibesallround dude pirate bay

[goodvibesallround]

@MrSashoks dude i have the torrent. I want the actual cd.

[CarlosHigg]

@goodvibesallround he pulled the album from the shelves along with niandra ladies and then later re-released niandra ladies as he is planning to do with this one day

[Christophanus]

pfft wtf is with u dumb asses.... y do u think he went through the "hard times", he wanted to be there and at the time he wanted to be how he was. fuck he wasnt forced to take heroin, he took the shit himself and even in interviews he said addiction had nothin to do with it, he took it cause he wanted to even if he wasnt addicted he still would have been the way he was and even these days he is glad to be out of that phase in his life but he does not regret it

[1262344]

0:51 is sir psycho sexy

[Shambles940]

@1262344 Explain? Please?

[1262344]

@Shambles940 u know at the end when the song fades out ,,, if you listen carefully you can hear it

[Shambles940]

@1262344 not at all......

[1262344]

@Shambles940 srry it starts at 0:53  this should be anough or listen to john frusciante . ants u can here it there too

[BazillusWolfenstein]

Genial ! der drogenschädel .-..

[mussman717word]

I remember the first time I heard John Frusciante, solo. It was something from Niandra Lades, I think "Mascara." I just remember thinking, wow, it sounds like this guy just put together a masterpiece in his living room, and how it's so odd that most people think this is pure garbage, but those who dig it do so to the point of no return. I'm just so glad to be one of those people who sees the beauty in John's early work, and it inspires me the most, to this day, in my own songwriting efforts.

[SaRaBeTh619]

Amazing! Never heard him before and I'm already a fan.

[invisiblemovement272]

This is true music. It is expression of emotion. Which it seems many people have forgotten today. John Frusciante is my favorite musician because he's the most emotional musician I've ever heard. I love his music and feel his pain through his music. No one I know understands why I love this music. It's comforting to see that there are others out there.

P.S. Check out invisible-movement. It's a great site.

P.P.S. Does anyone think the chord progression around 1:06 sounds like Under the Bridge?

[JustFunkme]

@invisiblemovement272 yeah it sounds like under the bridge

[graysonification]

why cant you buy this album anymore?

[realbeereels]

@graysonification he made it and sold it to make money for his heroin addiction... he didn't like that so he pulled it off the market

[graysonification]

@realbeereels is there noway you can get it today?

[realbeereels]

@graysonification maybe try ebay or craigslist... as far as i know, no. John has said that he would like to re-release it in the future but since his reason for making it was not okay with him, it hasnt been released since it was removed...

[casyn14]

This song makes me depressed.. just the mood he was in during this period. I know in interviews he said he "feels great", but truly i think that he was haunted by this shit. The mood this music puts you in is just overpowering.

[delmo0004]

@casyn14 i love this music more just because i love getting iinto moods like this. it sounds weird i mean im not the happiest guy so it feels awesome to listen too.

[casyn14]

@delmo0004 I had my friend listen to this and running away into you and he was just like.. "wow... thats fucked but its awesome"

[TheRiverratist]

it goes to show that most people believe in and like other crap like the super dancin, lipsynching, autotuning bullshit everywhere. which to me represents the self centeredness of their minds egos . unlike john who lets us feel the pain the "good" half of the world does not or just blocks it out .but its all us everybody .my loss is someones gain, our very breathes are ones others do not take.

[emmiway]

This song is out from another universe!!

its a very dark and lonely place but also so emotional and powerful and so much energy!!

[hansen6102]

Pitchfork Media gave this a 0.0/10, making it one of the only albums ever on their site to recieve such a low rating. I find it unfair and almost cruel, because what they don't see is how seriously ill John was on heroin.

[InsomniumX]

@hansen6102 Unfair? Cruel? WTF? The work of a critic is to evaluate a record based exclusively on how "good" it sounds/is, not to go around crying and feeling pity over the guy who made it. How cruel, he dislikes a record and says his honesto opinion! He´s like, doing his job, instead of giving it a 10 to help Frusciante feel good in his dire times!

Now, for the record, I like this album, and its powerful, tragic emotion--but that´s what you have to point out to the critic, not your pity shit.

[CommonCents89]

Beautiful tune...Frusciante is a musical and emotional genius.

[ByVolcom]

john admited that he did this album for money, so he can buy drugs to consume.

this album is a whole product of his psycadelic experiences with drugs, just a sound of another dimension caused by heroin in the veins this pure genious.

[HendrixWhiteTurner]

@ByVolcom yeah even then though if he did it for money it's still got emotion and feeling in it unlike all the crap in the charts today that is made for money.

[grungeera]

this is probably with Enter a Uh his best song. The whole album is mind-blowing. Niandra Lades was already amazing, but this one tops everything i've ever heard.

I'm sorry to say, but actually i'm happy with the fact that John had to go through those bad periods of life and shared those beautiful sounds from another sphere with us. Glad he survived and can continue to share his genius with us.

[maddybgally]

@grungeera man niandra lades was more like classical music, everysong on it is my favorite song. this is great, but I almost can't even listen to it, its too sad. I almost feel like Im on heroine

[DL345]

wow......even wile jacked up on numerous drugs he could still make some prty good riffs

[Hardtack444]

What is the cover supposed to be?

[PutItAway101]

Worst album ever recorded from the most over rated guitarist ever

[aaronbygrace]

a lot of his music is spiritual but i think he was crying because the last part was added for his friend after he died and the first part was for him before he died.

[aaronbygrace]

the song was written about river phoenix and he added the end after he died. he was there when i died.

[Hardtack444]

thanks alot

[GDT1124]

He was crying at the end because he was "communicating with spirits" he said that in an interview with Guitar Player in '97.

[mg1242]

chillis r amazing live and johney puts on a hell of a show but we got kicked out we were really drunk and smokin inside and i think we flicked our buts on sum people we were on the balconey in the acc but never the less it was awesomme for wut we saw rock on chillies rock on

[drunkengerbil]

smoke some mean cheeba or eat some good mushrooms then turn off the lights..... if you dont shit your pants then your dealer is punkin you

[ICanHearMusic11111]

this song is fukn amazing!!

[Conroy15]

They say he was in contact with spirits when they recorded this, and that that's the reason he started to cry on the ending of this song...Is it true?

[webpirat33]

Well if you believe in spirits it could be...

[koen522]

That´s what john said, but do you believe him? I really dont know

[Jewfee43]

the man was doing grams of heroin or more a day!! you get fucking paranoid and sketched out when your doping up any lil thing can be a monster its how the brain interprets it.

[churzz21]

you've obviously never used heroin

[Jewfee43]

hahahah dude all john talks about is hearing ghosts in his house... and a spirit

[jkuebler89]

yer talkin bout the wrong drug. find me one person on opiates who are paranoid.

[Jewfee43]

the thing is it wasnt just heroin it was crack speed and coke.. blazed all the time. i know for a fact being really faded sometimes gets me paranoid., listen to subtarean homesick blues.. i"im on th pavement johnnys cooking up the medicine got me thinking about the government

[coolymcool]

thats a bob dylan song, first off

[pape37]

Exactly. I think people are so wrapped up in their romantic associations with Frusciante that they love to think about all the horrible suffering he went through to make this music. But he was already a strange and creative individual before ever using heroin. Most of Niandra Lades was recorded while smoking pot during the Chili Pepper years. Anyway, this might be my favorite song of his. So beautiful and emotional with a great instrumental ending.

[Jewfee43]

na . i know he was already good with music. but u have to admit when he was doing heroin it gave him another perspective in terms of music writing.

[ericflo88]

@pape37 well actually he chose to become what he did for that time, so i dont really know if he was "suffering"  ....but discussing that nonsense and debating goes against frusciante's values when it comes to music....he would just want us to enjoy it.

[thramagen]

@pape37 the middle kinda takes a shit I think

[Hellowfninween]

@pape37 it makes sense... trust me heroin doesn't make you creative at all... you just look at life from a demonic perspective without realizing it, however if u smoke a j or a nice fatty... with a few shots... *cough* niceness..

[LukewarmKoolaid]

a lot of them dude. when they're sober.

[jkuebler89]

i dont want to start a full blown dispute but can you personally speak from experience?

[LukewarmKoolaid]

no but its true. people who get heavily addicted to something get irritable and sometimes even paranoid. my fathers friend was addicted to heroin and for the last few years of his life he thought "the government was watching him" and he would constantly tell my dad this

[pennstace1991]

ill tell you i was rele bad on boy-heroin and wen i was livin in my car i was so fuckin paranoid probley cus i was insane but i always thought cops were tappin my phone and helicopters were watchin me too but i was shootin alot of coke then too but my crazy thoughts came true wen i sold to someone with a wire then i rele started tweakin!

[12inchvertical]

@Conroy15 he thought he was (in contact with spirits) ... i think he was sad about the fact that his friend had died also.

[delmo0004]

ugh i can only find this cd for 45$!!

[DoodleofBoromir]

where thehell  did you see it on sale?

i would pay 100 for it !

[pooliesrock]

You seen it on sale?! Holy damn.

[handley88]

These songs are great, but I always find them so eerie, along with Niandra Lades.

Because he was as high as a kite when he was writing and recording, and he uses so much 'backwards guitar', the instrumentals just sound so weird.