Tell Me Baby

"Tell Me Baby"
"Tell Me Baby"
SinglebyRed Hot Chili Peppers
from the albumStadium Arcadium
B-side	"A Certain Someone"; "Mercy Mercy";
Released	July 17, 2006
Recorded	2005
Studio	The Mansion,Los Angeles, California
Genre	Funk rock,alternative rock
Length	4:07
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Flea,John Frusciante,Anthony Kiedis,Chad Smith
Producer(s)	Rick Rubin
Red Hot Chili Pepperssingles chronology
Music video
	"Tell Me Baby"onYouTube

"Tell Me Baby"is a song from theRed Hot Chili Peppers' ninth studio albumStadium Arcadium.The song was released as the follow-up to the hit single "Dani California"on July 17, 2006.^[3]The single was not as successful as their prior single "Dani California" nor their next single "Snow (Hey Oh)"as far as chart success, but did reach number one on theBillboardModern Rock chart and remained there for four weeks making it the band's second straight number one on that chart fromStadium Arcadiumand tenth number one overall.

Composition[edit]

"Tell Me Baby" incorporates both the oldfunk rocksound from theirBlood Sugar Sex Magikdays in the verses of the song, and the chorus focuses on the more melodic sound found on more recent Chili Peppers albums. The song is about the dreams of pilgrims inLos Angeleswho want to obtain fame and fortune.^[3]

Reception[edit]

Nick Mitchell atThe Skinnygave the song three out of five stars, stating "Neither particularly complex nor memorable," Tell Me Baby "is nevertheless an upbeat little number that may well ingratiate itself on your eardrums."^[4]

Music video[edit]

The music video for "Tell Me Baby" was directed byJonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris,a directing duo that has worked on many other Chili Peppers videos. Flea said, "It's the best [video] we ever did."^[5]For the video, Dayton and Faris interviewed and auditioned people who originally came to California to achieve some sort of fame and people who play music just for the sake of playing music. During the callback for the auditioned people, their second audition was filmed and the members of the Chili Peppers surprisingly entered the room during auditions to join in playing along.

Live performances[edit]

"Tell Me Baby" was performed often on theStadium Arcadium World Tourand has been featured on all the tours that followed.

Formats and track listings[edit]

CD version 15439 15673-2

"Tell Me Baby" – 4:07
"A Certain Someone" – 2:25

CD version 29362 42956-2

"Tell Me Baby" – 4:07
"Mercy Mercy" – 4:01
"Lyon 6.6.06" (Live) – 3:53

7 "Picture Disc5439 15973-2

"Tell Me Baby" – 4:07
"Mercy Mercy" – 4:01

Personnel[edit]

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Anthony Kiedis – lead vocals
John Frusciante – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
Flea – bass
Chad Smith – drums, percussion

Charts[edit]

Weekly charts[edit]

Chart (2006)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[6]	20
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[7]	39
Belgium (Ultratop 50Flanders)^[8]	44
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling UnderWallonia)^[9]	10
Canada Rock (Billboard)^[10]	1
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)^[11]	7
Denmark (Tracklisten)^[12]	13
Germany (Official German Charts)^[13]	37
Ireland (IRMA)^[14]	12
Italy (FIMI)^[15]	87
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[16]	18
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[17]	27
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[18]	16
Norway (VG-lista)^[19]	20
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)^[20]	5
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)^[21]	17
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[22]	57
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[23]	43
UK Singles(OCC)^[24]	16
USBillboardHot 100^[25]	50
USAdult Alternative Songs(Billboard)^[26]	27
USAdult Pop Airplay(Billboard)^[27]	22
USAlternative Airplay(Billboard)^[28]	1
USMainstream Rock(Billboard)^[29]	8
Venezuela Pop Rock (Record Report)^[30]	1

Year-end charts[edit]

Chart (2006)	Position
Brazil (Crowley)^[31]	96
Canada Rock (Radio & Records)^[32]	17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[33]	93
UK Singles (OCC)^[34]	177

References[edit]

^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby (4:07)".Billboard.Vol. 118, no. 30. July 29, 2006. p. 51.ISSN 0006-2510.
^mgallucci (9 April 2014)."Top 10 Alt-Rock Videos From 2006".Diffuser.fm.RetrievedMay 19,2016.
^^a ^b"The 15 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs".PopMatters.RetrievedMarch 23,2015.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers - Tell Me Baby".RetrievedMarch 23,2015.
^Michael Balzary(June 5, 2006)."Fleamail June 4, 2006".Redhotchilipeppers.com. Archived fromthe originalon October 5, 2007.RetrievedJuly 31,2007.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".ARIA Top 50 Singles.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in German).Ö3 Austria Top 40.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in Dutch).Ultratop 50.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in French).Ultratip.
^"Chart History".Billboard.RetrievedDecember 9,2018.
^"ČNS IFPI "(in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 200624 into search.Retrieved 1 December 2014.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Tracklisten.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in German).GfK Entertainment charts.Retrieved March 18, 2019.
^"Chart Track: Week 23, 2006 ".Irish Singles Chart.Retrieved August 23, 2014.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Top Digital Download.Retrieved 7 January 2015.
^"Nederlandse Top 40 – week 29, 2006"(in Dutch).Dutch Top 40.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in Dutch).Single Top 100.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Top 40 Singles.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".VG-lista.
^"Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia:: Związek Producentów Audio-Video ".Polish Airplay Top 100.Retrieved January 19, 2014.
^"ČNS IFPI "(in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: insert 200616 into search.Retrieved 15 December 2014.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Singles Top 100.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Swiss Singles Chart.
^"Official Singles Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved February 26, 2015.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved December 11, 2014.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved May 22, 2021.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved May 22, 2021.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)".Billboard.Retrieved May 22, 2021.
^"Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Mainstream Rock)".Billboard.Retrieved May 22, 2021.
^"Pop Rock"(in Spanish). Record Report. August 19, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon July 16, 2006.
^"Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2006".Crowley Broadcast Analysis.April 3, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 30,2022.
^"Top Canada Rock Songs"(PDF).Radio & Records.RetrievedJanuary 10,2024.
^"Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2006".Dutch Top 40.RetrievedJanuary 12,2020.
^"2006 UK Singles Chart"(PDF).ChartsPlus.RetrievedNovember 15,2021.

[1] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby (4:07)".Billboard.Vol. 118, no. 30. July 29, 2006. p. 51.ISSN 0006-2510.

[2] ucci (9 April 2014)."Top 10 Alt-Rock Videos From 2006".Diffuser.fm.RetrievedMay 19,2016.

[PopMatters-3] "The 15 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs".PopMatters.RetrievedMarch 23,2015.

[4] "Red Hot Chili Peppers - Tell Me Baby".RetrievedMarch 23,2015.

[5] Michael Balzary(June 5, 2006)."Fleamail June 4, 2006".Redhotchilipeppers.com. Archived fromthe originalon October 5, 2007.RetrievedJuly 31,2007.

[sc_Australia_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-6] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".ARIA Top 50 Singles.

[sc_Austria_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-7] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in German).Ö3 Austria Top 40.

[sc_Flanders_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-8] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in Dutch).Ultratop 50.

[sc_Wallonia_Tip_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-9] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in French).Ultratip.

[10] "Chart History".Billboard.RetrievedDecember 9,2018.

[sc_Czech_Republic_-11] "ČNS IFPI "(in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 200624 into search.Retrieved 1 December 2014.

[sc_Denmark_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-12] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Tracklisten.

[sc_Germany_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-13] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in German).GfK Entertainment charts.Retrieved March 18, 2019.

[sc_Ireland_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-14] "Chart Track: Week 23, 2006 ".Irish Singles Chart.Retrieved August 23, 2014.

[sc_Italy_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-15] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Top Digital Download.Retrieved 7 January 2015.

[sc_Dutch40_-16] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 29, 2006"(in Dutch).Dutch Top 40.

[sc_Dutch100_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-17] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby "(in Dutch).Single Top 100.

[sc_New_Zealand_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-18] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Top 40 Singles.

[sc_Norway_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-19] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".VG-lista.

[sc_Poland_-20] "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia:: Związek Producentów Audio-Video ".Polish Airplay Top 100.Retrieved January 19, 2014.

[sc_Slovakia_-21] "ČNS IFPI "(in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: insert 200616 into search.Retrieved 15 December 2014.

[sc_Sweden_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-22] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Singles Top 100.

[sc_Switzerland_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-23] "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tell Me Baby ".Swiss Singles Chart.

[sc_UK_-24] "Official Singles Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved February 26, 2015.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-25] "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved December 11, 2014.

[sc_Billboardadultalternativesongs_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-26] "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved May 22, 2021.

[sc_Billboardadultpopsongs_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-27] "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved May 22, 2021.

[sc_Billboardalternativesongs_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-28] "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)".Billboard.Retrieved May 22, 2021.

[sc_Billboardmainstreamrock_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers-29] "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Mainstream Rock)".Billboard.Retrieved May 22, 2021.

[30] "Pop Rock"(in Spanish). Record Report. August 19, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon July 16, 2006.

[31] "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2006".Crowley Broadcast Analysis.April 3, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 30,2022.

[32] "Top Canada Rock Songs"(PDF).Radio & Records.RetrievedJanuary 10,2024.

[33] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2006".Dutch Top 40.RetrievedJanuary 12,2020.

[34] "2006 UK Singles Chart"(PDF).ChartsPlus.RetrievedNovember 15,2021.

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v t e Red Hot Chili Peppers singles
The Red Hot Chili Peppers	"True Men Don't Kill Coyotes" "Get Up and Jump"
Freaky Styley	"Jungle Man" "Hollywood (Africa)"
The Uplift Mofo Party Plan	"Fight Like a Brave"
Mother's Milk	"Higher Ground" "Knock Me Down" "Taste the Pain"
Blood Sugar Sex Magik	"Give It Away" "Under the Bridge" "Suck My Kiss" "Breaking the Girl" "If You Have to Ask"
One Hot Minute	"Warped" "My Friends" "Aeroplane" "Shallow Be Thy Game" "Coffee Shop"
Californication	"Scar Tissue" "Around the World" "Otherside" "Californication" "Road Trippin'" "Parallel Universe"
By the Way	"By the Way" "The Zephyr Song" "Can't Stop" "Dosed" "Universally Speaking"
Stadium Arcadium	"Dani California" "Tell Me Baby" "Snow ((Hey Oh))" "Desecration Smile" "Hump de Bump"
I'm with You	"The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" "Monarchy of Roses" "Look Around" "Brendan's Death Song"
The Getaway	"Dark Necessities" "Go Robot" "Sick Love" "Goodbye Angels"
Unlimited Love	"Black Summer" "These Are the Ways"
Return of the Dream Canteen	"Tippa My Tongue" "The Drummer"
What Hits!?	"Behind the Sun"
Greatest Hits	"Fortune Faded"
Non-album singles	"Show Me Your Soul" "Soul to Squeeze" "Love Rollercoaster"
Other songs	"Catholic School Girls Rule" "For the Thrashers" "Good Time Boys" "Pretty Little Ditty" "Charlie" "Did I Let You Know" "Poster Child" "Eddie"