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"Monarchy of Roses"
Single by Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album I'm with You
Released	October 7, 2011 (2011-10-07)
Recorded	2010–2011
Genre	Funk rock pop rock garage rock disco
Length	4:14 (album version) 3:43 (UK radio edit)
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith, Josh Klinghoffer
Producer(s)	Rick Rubin
Red Hot Chili Peppers singles chronology
"The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" (2011) "Monarchy of Roses" (2011) "Look Around" (2012)
Music video
"Monarchy of Roses" on YouTube

"Monarchy of Roses" is a song from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 2011 album I'm with You and the album's second single. The single is the follow-up to the number one hit, "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie". The single was released to radio and for download in the UK on October 7, 2011 and to radio in the United States on October 25, 2011.

In a September 17, 2011 interview on BBC Radio 2 with Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith, the show's host, Justin Lee Collins broke the news that "Monarchy of Roses" would be the second single from the album and would be released on November 14, 2011. Neither Kiedis or Smith were even aware what song would be the next single and both seemed surprised during the interview. Despite the same date being also listed on the back of the promo single, the song was released weeks earlier to radio; however, the music video was, in fact, released on this date.

Music video

On October 4, 2011, the band began filming a music video for Monarchy of Roses. Drummer Chad Smith posted a photo of his drums in front of a green screen confirming that filming was underway.

The video was directed by Marc Klasfeld, who previously directed the video for "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" and was inspired by the art work of Raymond Pettibon.

Pettibon, who is the brother of Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn, is best known for his artwork for the Black Flag albums as well as the band's iconic four bars logo. Flea said of Pettibon that he has been a fan since he was a teenager and that his art was first seen as part of the hardcore punk rock scene in LA around 1980. Pettibon has since gone on to have a "transcendently beautiful and dynamic art career. Raymond Pettibon means a lot to us and we are honored to have made this collaboration with him."

On November 30, 2011, the band released a behind the scenes video of the making of "Monarchy of Roses".

Reception

Billboard calls the song a "mixed bag of new ideas" and that the band "hurt as much as they delight" with this song. Loudwire gave the song 4 out of 5 stars, commenting that the song is "structured around a tightly wound tension and release formula". They conclude that the song "has a real stadium (arcadium) feel to it, as it invites plenty of singalongs with its layers of harmony".

Live performances and promotion

"Monarchy of Roses" was performed at every show on the I'm with You World Tour as the opening song. The song was not played on the ensuing The Getaway World Tour and has not been played live by the band since.

Even though for many years the band has strongly fought against having their music used in commercials or other promotional advertisements, "Monarchy of Roses" appeared in a 2011 Japanese car commercial for the Nissan Elgrand.

Formats and track listings

Japanese single

1. "Monarchy of Roses" (album version) – 4:14

UK promo single

1. "Monarchy of Roses" (album version) – 4:14
2. "Monarchy of Roses" (radio edit) – 3:43
3. "Monarchy of Roses" (instrumental) – 4:12

European advance promo single

1. "Monarchy of Roses" (album version) – 4:14
2. "Monarchy of Roses" (radio edit) – 3:43

Personnel

Red Hot Chili Peppers

• Anthony Kiedis – lead vocals
• Josh Klinghoffer – guitar, backing vocals, synthesizer
• Flea – bass
• Chad Smith – drums

Additional musicians

• Mauro Refosco – percussion
• Lenny Castro – additional percussion

Charts

References

1. Sciaretto, Amy (October 12, 2011). "Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'Monarchy of Roses' – Song Review Read More: Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'Monarchy of Roses'". Loudwire. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
2. Newman, Jasom. "Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'I'm With You': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
3. Sciaretto, Amy (August 29, 2011). "Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'I'm With You' – Album Review". Loudwire. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
4. Jones, How (August 26, 2011). "Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm with You". Slant Magazine. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
5. Dolan, Jon (August 29, 2011). "I'm With You". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
6. https://www.billboard.com/artist/red-hot-chili-peppers/chart-history/
7. "Future Releases". allaccess.com. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
8. "Monarchy of Roses confirmed as second single from I'm With You". stadiumarcadium.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
9. "Track Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'Monarchy of Roses'". Billboard.com. September 14, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
10. "Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'Monarchy of Roses' – Song Review". Loudwire.com. October 12, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
11. Monarchy of Roses used in Nissan Elgrand Japanese TV Commercial on YouTube
12. "Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Monarchy Of Roses' 3 track UK promo CD *MINT*". eBay. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
13. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Monarchy Of Roses" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
14. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Monarchy Of Roses" (in French). Ultratip.
15. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
17. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
18. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
19. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
20. "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

• 2011 singles
• 2011 songs
• Red Hot Chili Peppers songs
• Warner Records singles
• Music videos directed by Marc Klasfeld
• Songs written by Josh Klinghoffer
• Songs written by Flea (musician)
• Songs written by Chad Smith
• American disco songs
• American garage rock songs
• American pop rock songs