"Desecration Smile" is a song from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and was on their 2006 double album, ''Stadium Arcadium''. The song was the fourth single released from the album. The song was first heard by fans when it was played at the Bridge School Benefit in 2004. However, the structure and chorus of the song are different from the version released on ''Stadium Arcadium''. The single contained the album outtakes, "Joe" (which was a tribute to Joe Strummer) and "Save This Lady". Both songs were also on the single for "Hump de Bump". The cover artwork is from Stefanie Schneider.

Composition

Desecration Smile is in the key of D major and has a moderate tempo of 92 BPM.

Formats and track listings

CD single 1 5439 19997-9 # "Desecration Smile" # "Joe" (previously unreleased) – 3:54 CD single 2 9362 49991-9 # "Desecration Smile" # "Funky Monks" (live) – 6:29 # "Save This Lady" (previously unreleased) – 4:17 Promo Single PR016186 # "Desecration Smile" (album version) # "Desecration Smile" (radio edit) 7" picture disc 5439 19997-6 # "Desecration Smile" # "Funky Monks" (live) – 6:29

Personnel

* Anthony Kiedis - lead vocals * John Frusciante - acoustic guitar, acoustic and electric guitar, electric guitars, backing vocals, piano * Flea (musician), Flea - bass guitar * Chad Smith - drum kit, drums, percussion instrument, percussion

Music video

The music video was shot and released in February 2007 and directed by "Under the Bridge" director Gus Van Sant. It was shot entirely in one take with one camera and featured the band huddled together singing all the way through. There is also an alternate version of the band singing and playing their instruments by the ocean cut together with parts of the official video. Although the first one is considered the official, it was the alternative version that was published on the official Warner Bros. YouTube account.

Live performances

"Desecration Smile" has been performed 14 times with its first performance coming in 2004, two years before the release of the ''Stadium Arcadium'' album. That version featured different lyrics and chorus. The song hasn't been performed since 2007.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

{{authority control Red Hot Chili Peppers songs 2007 singles Song recordings produced by Rick Rubin Songs written by Flea (musician) Songs written by John Frusciante Songs written by Anthony Kiedis Songs written by Chad Smith 2005 songs Warner Records singles