When James Corden launched Carpool Karaoke, it felt like a cute, safe gimmick. Pop stars sang their hits, did a little "theatrical" driving, and maybe shared a quirky anecdote about their first car. Then the Red Hot Chili Peppers showed up in 2016. It changed things. Seriously.
Most guests on The Late Late Show segment treat the car like a tiny TV studio. Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith, and Josh Klinghoffer treated it like a playground. Or a mosh pit. Honestly, it’s probably the only time a major late-night segment devolved into an impromptu wrestling match on a stranger's lawn.
If you haven’t watched it in a while, you’ve forgotten just how chaotic the Red Hot Chili Peppers Carpool Karaoke actually was. It wasn't just about the music. It was about four guys who have been through the absolute ringer together—addiction, loss, massive global fame—showing that they are still basically a group of hyperactive teenagers at heart.
The Moment the Shirts Came Off
It started normally enough. "Can’t Stop" kicked things off, and the energy was high, but controlled. But with the Chili Peppers, "controlled" is a relative term. About halfway through, the vibe shifted. Corden asked about the band’s penchant for performing nude back in the day (the infamous "socks on dicks" era).
Suddenly, Anthony Kiedis decides it’s too hot. He peels his shirt off.
Then Flea follows suit.
Then James Corden, clearly realizing this is gold for his YouTube metrics, joins in. Seeing a late-night host driving a Range Rover through Los Angeles while shirtless alongside rock legends is the kind of visual that stays with you. It broke the "polished" feel of the show. It felt real. It felt like the actual experience of being in a band where nobody really cares about the rules.
Wrestling in the Suburbs
The absolute peak of the Red Hot Chili Peppers Carpool Karaoke wasn't the singing. It was the wrestling. Anthony Kiedis mentioned he loves a good grapple. He didn't just say it; he challenged Corden right then and there.
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They literally pulled the car over.
They found a random patch of grass in front of someone's house. Kiedis and Corden went at it. This wasn't a staged Hollywood stunt with a coordinator. It was a messy, sweaty, weirdly competitive wrestling match that ended with Kiedis pinning the host in seconds. The neighbors probably had no idea they were watching a multi-platinum singer and a British TV star rolling around on their fescue.
The Setlist: Beyond the Big Hits
Musically, the episode was a journey through the band’s evolution. They didn't just stick to the radio staples. While they did the big ones like "Give It Away" and "Californication," they also dove into "The Zephyr Song" and their then-new single "Dark Necessities."
- Can’t Stop: This opened the set and set the frantic pace.
- Give It Away: You could tell Flea was struggling to contain his bass-playing energy while strapped into a seatbelt.
- Californication: A more melodic, grounded moment in an otherwise frenetic ride.
- Under the Bridge: This is the one everyone sings at karaoke, but hearing Kiedis do it while sitting next to his bandmates gave it a different weight.
What's fascinating is the vocal chemistry. Usually, these segments are just the guest singing over their own studio track. With the Chili Peppers, the harmonies were actually tight. Even without their instruments, the rhythm of the band was palpable. Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer were crammed in the back, but they were leaning into every beat.
The Story Anthony Kiedis Didn't Tell on Camera
For years, people just talked about the wrestling and the shirts. But a few days after the segment aired, Kiedis shared a story on a British radio station that changed how people viewed that day.
While they were filming the wrestling scene, a woman came out of her house holding a baby. The baby wasn't breathing.
Kiedis didn't hesitate. He ran over, realizing the child was in distress. He attempted to help, rubbing the baby’s stomach until it started breathing again. By the time paramedics arrived, the child was stable. Kiedis went back to the car and finished filming the comedy segment.
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That’s the part the cameras didn't show. It adds a layer of depth to the Red Hot Chili Peppers Carpool Karaoke that you don't get with other guests. Behind the goofiness and the "rock star" antics, there’s a human element that is often overlooked.
Why This Episode Still Ranks So High
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. But beyond that, this specific video works because it captures a band in a rare moment of pure joy. At the time, they were promoting The Getaway, their first album without long-time producer Rick Rubin in decades. There was a lot of pressure. This car ride felt like a release valve.
It also highlighted the chemistry between Kiedis and Flea. These guys have been friends since high school. They’ve seen each other at their lowest points. Seeing them harmonize "The Zephyr Song" while laughing at Corden’s attempts to keep up is a testament to a friendship that has survived the meat grinder of the music industry.
The Evolution of Josh Klinghoffer
Looking back at this episode now is a bit bittersweet for some fans. Josh Klinghoffer was the guitarist at the time, and he’s prominently featured in the back seat. Not long after, the band made the massive announcement that John Frusciante was returning.
In the Carpool Karaoke, Josh seems happy, integrated, and fully part of the unit. It’s a snapshot of a specific era of the band—the "intermediate" years that some fans overlook but that produced some of their most interesting textured work. Watching him sing along, you see a guy who was deeply committed to the legacy of the band, even if his time with them eventually came to an end.
How to Revisit the Experience Properly
If you're going back to watch it, don't just look for the memes. Pay attention to the small things.
- Flea’s Air Bass: He literally cannot sit still. His fingers are moving the entire time, even when he isn't singing.
- The Musical Theater Bit: They sang a song from Oliver! because Kiedis and Corden both have a background in theater. It's the most "un-rock" thing ever, and they nailed it.
- The Wardrobe: Chad Smith looks like he just walked off a construction site or a backyard BBQ, which is basically his brand.
- The Laughs: They aren't "TV laughs." They are the genuine cackles of people who find the situation absurd.
The Cultural Impact of the Segment
The Red Hot Chili Peppers Carpool Karaoke helped cement the segment as a cultural powerhouse. It showed that it wasn't just for pop divas like Adele or Mariah Carey. It could handle the chaos of a legendary rock band. It proved that if you put four icons in a car, you don't need a big stage or a light show to make compelling content. You just need personality.
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The video has racked up tens of millions of views. It’s a staple of "Best Of" lists for late-night television. And honestly? It’s probably the best PR the band has had in the 21st century because it humanized them. They weren't just statues on a stage at Coachella; they were guys who like to wrestle and sing in the car.
What You Can Learn From Their Energy
There is an actionable takeaway from watching these guys. They don't take themselves too seriously. Despite being one of the biggest bands in history, they were willing to look ridiculous for the sake of a laugh.
- Lean into the moment. When the shirts came off, it wasn't planned. They just went with the flow.
- Physicality matters. The wrestling broke the "fourth wall" of a talk show.
- Know your history. The band's ability to pivot from their own hits to show tunes shows a depth of musical knowledge that keeps their sound fresh.
If you want to experience the best of what the Red Hot Chili Peppers bring to the table—the chaos, the brotherhood, and the sheer musicality—this 15-minute clip is a better documentary than most feature-length films. It’s raw. It’s weird. It’s exactly what rock and roll should look like when it’s stuck in traffic.
To get the most out of your next rewatch, try to find the "Extended" or "Uncut" versions often circulated in fan circles. You’ll see more of the banter that didn't make the initial broadcast, including more weird discussions about their early days in the LA scene. It’s a masterclass in how to stay relevant without losing your edge.
Go watch it again. Pay attention to the way they interact. It’s a rare glimpse into the engine room of one of the greatest bands to ever do it.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the official clip on The Late Late Show YouTube channel to see the wrestling match in its full, unedited glory.
- Listen to the album The Getaway to hear the studio versions of the songs they performed during the ride.
- Check out Anthony Kiedis's interviews from June 2016 where he explains the "baby-saving" incident to get the full context of that filming day.