The Zephyr Song

Infobox Single
Name = The Zephyr Song


Artist = Red Hot Chili Peppers
from Album = By the Way
B-side = "Body of Water"
"Someone"
"Out of Range"
"Rivers of Avalon"
Released = December 3rd, 2002
Format = CD Single, vinyl
Recorded = 2002
Genre = Alternative rock
Length = 3:53
Label = Warner Bros. Records
Producer = Rick Rubin
Last single = "By the Way"
(2002)
This single = "The Zephyr Song"
(2002)
Next single = "Can't Stop"
(2003)

"The Zephyr Song" was the second single released for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' eighth studio album "By the Way". The song, as a single, was released in two parts. Both editions held two previously unheard-of B-sides, making it, collectively, hold four non-LP tracks. This is the largest amount of accumulated unreleased studio recorded B-sides any solitary single the Red Hot Chili Peppers have ever released. Coincidentally, it is also one of their rarest singles, regularly fetching prices above 100 dollars.

During the By the Way tour, the song was played extensively at virtually all live concerts. Since the release of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' newest album, "Stadium Arcadium" (and its subsequent tour), however, "The Zephyr Song" has since been completely removed and detached from any set lists. However the song was included as part of a set list on the 22nd of April 2007 in New Zealand at the Vector Arena. The band began the song with John Frusciante (guitarist) playing the opening riff, but didn't continue to play the rest of the song after Anthony Kiedis (singer)said into the microphone "Nah, not this one". It was stated in reviews and the press that Anthony Kiedis (singer) was suffering from throat problems and that it affected some of his performances, which may have been a factor in why "The Zephyr Song" was not played. It has not been played in full since 2005.

Music video

The music video, released on December 3rd, 2002, was directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The couple has collaborated with the band on numerous other videos. It is generally suggestive and reminiscent of a kaleidoscope, by utilizing the same circular and intertwining figures in order to illustrate the psychedelic feel the band was aiming for.

Track listing

CD single
# "The Zephyr Song" – 3:52
# "Body of Water" (Previously Unreleased) – 4:41
# "Someone" (Previously Unreleased) – 3:24

CD single 2
# "The Zephyr Song" – 3:52
# "Out of Range" (Previously Unreleased) – 3:58
# "Rivers of Avalon" (Previously Unreleased) – 3:39

CD single 3
# "The Zephyr Song" – 3:52
# "Out of Range" (Previously Unreleased) – 3:58

7" vinyl
# "The Zephyr Song" – 3:52
# "Out of Range" (Previously Unreleased) – 3:58

Pressing error

There is a pressing error on the UK versions of The Zephyr Song CD1 and CD2 singles. The CDs and inlays have matching catalogue numbers but the b-sides listed on the inlay are on the opposite disc to the one included with the inlay. Retailers began to switch the CDs in the cases to correct the problem but the catalogue numbers on the CDs were then mismatched with the inlay numbers.

References