"Look Around" is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, taken from their tenth studio album I'm with You (2011). It is the album's third single and the music video was released on January 25, 2012. On the band's website, however, it leaked a day early. The song is available for download on iTunes and a two track promo single was released, but no other info on a proper CD single has been released.
On December 2, 2011, drummer Chad Smith confirmed "Look Around" as the next single when he posted a photo on his Twitter page of his drum set and a toilet saying it was from the "Look Around" video. The Robert Hales directed video pans four different rooms, each containing a member of the band.
Background and composition
"Look Around" was written by Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith, Josh Klinghoffer and produced by Rick Rubin. It focuses on social commentary about the planet. In the song, the vocalist falls in love with a stripper, explaining "Hustle here/ Hustle there/ Hustle me bitch and you best beware/ It's emotional/ And I told you so." The outro of "Look Around," harkens memories of Californication opener "Around the World".[4] Thomas Nassiff from Absolute Punkwrote that the outro "is a cluster of musicianship complemented by Kiedis’ familiar rap-ish vocals." Over a "green-mohawked mirror-ball boogie", Kiedis rock-raps a vision of golden rapture: "Soft walk to horizon/One big crash that no one dies in.
Music video
On December 5, 2011, Flea confirmed news about the video and that the band's work on the video was completed. He posted on his Twitter page "We made a video for Look Around the other day very excited about it, it was the funnest shoot ever." On January 17, 2012, the band released a behind the scenes video for "Look Around" exclusively for those who download their free smartphone application.
The video shows each band member in four different rooms to reflect their own personalities. Almost all the props and artwork in the video are from each band member's personal collection. In Anthony's room, model Charlotte Free, his dog and his son Everly are featured. Flea is seen in his room dancing around in his underwear with current girlfriend, Sandha Khin, also in her underwear. Chad's room is a bathroom where his seat is a toilet and there is also a punching bag. Josh's room is very empty with just a table and lamp.
The video was directed by Robert Hales with Alejandro Lalinde as director of photography. The music video was nominated for Most Innovative Video at MTV's O Awards. Fans can vote for the video through the awards website.
Live performances and promotion
The song has been played at nearly every show on the I'm with You World Tour. The song was also briefly featured in a commercial for the Simon Cowell show,The X Factor.
