"Parallel Universe" is a radio promotional single by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their 1999 album Californication and was released in 2001 as the album's sixth and final single. Although it never was released as a tangible CD single, it charted on the US Modern Rock Tracks at number 37 during the week of March 24, 2001,[1] and appeared on Greatest Hits.
Background
Being one of the album's loudest songs in terms of distortion, it also does not contain any of the Chili's signature funk-orientated bass lines which they had been primarily known for in the past. Anthony Kiedis' vocals are subdued during the verses, reflecting an approach towards melodic balladry, while similarly the song lyrically tackles darker, more introspective themes than those that the band generally had a reputation for.
The song is also notable for its lack of backing vocals, which are on almost every other track on Californication.
Despite only being a promotional single, "Parallel Universe" remains a live favorite in the band's setlists and has been performed over 230 times since its release, making it one of the band's most performed songs since its first performance in 1998. During the By the Way Tour, the band often performed an tease of Fugazi's "Latest Disgrace" prior to the song. Since then, it has only returned once during the Unlimited Love Tour in November 2023.[2]
