This Velvet Glove

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Lore & Background

The song's origins are tied directly to Anthony Kiedis' relationship with Yohanna Logan, a fashion designer he met while she was working in New York City. This track stands as a testament to Frusciante's reintegration into the group after his departure following *Blood Sugar Sex Magik* in 1991 and his subsequent struggles with heroin addiction. The band moved away from the heavy metal elements introduced by Dave Navarro on *One Hot Minute*, returning to their roots with a 'spiritual and epiphanic' approach noted by critics.

In Their Own Story

During the summer of 1998, the band gathered at Flea's makeshift garage studio to brainstorm for what would become *Californication*. The atmosphere was notably relaxed; as Kiedis recalled, 'Everyone was having fun. It was as if we had nothing to lose... We were making music for the sake of making music.' While Frusciante took several weeks to readjust to playing with his bandmates after rehab, leading to a minimalist guitar approach, the creative flow was strong. Kiedis drew upon his experiences in Los Angeles and New York, weaving personal turmoil into the lyrics. The song captures the specific influence of Yohanna Logan on Kiedis' outlook. Unlike previous albums that might have been characterized by 'day-long pot sessions,' this recording process at Cello Studios in Los Angeles was timely and professional, taking just over three weeks to record with engineer Jim Scott. The resulting track is a product of a band reclaiming their identity after the commercial failure of *One Hot Minute*.

Reader's Guide

To understand 'This Velvet Glove,' one must look at its context within the *Californication* sessions recorded in Los Angeles between September 1998 and early 1999. The album was produced by Rick Rubin, who had previously worked with the band on their two most successful records. The recording environment emphasized a 'dry and punchy' sound, achieved through specific microphone placements (Shure SM57s, Neumann U47s) and minimal overdubbing. While the song itself does not feature the wah pedal-heavy style of 'Get on Top,' it exemplifies the melodic side Billboard's Paul Verna praised in contrast to their previous six albums. Fans should note that this track is part of an album that sold over 17 million copies worldwide, peaking at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200. It shares the album's thematic DNA with 'Scar Tissue,' which won a Grammy, and 'Otherside.' The song serves as a key example of how Kiedis transformed personal relationships into art during this specific creative window.

Did You Know?

• The lyrics for 'This Velvet Glove' were directly influenced by Anthony Kiedis' relationship with fashion designer Yohanna Logan.
• The album *Californication* sold more than eight million copies in the United States alone as of its early success period.
• John Frusciante rejoined the band in 1998 after leaving following the *Blood Sugar Sex Magik* tour due to being overwhelmed by fame.
• The recording sessions for the album were completed in just over three weeks at Cello Studios in Los Angeles.
• Rolling Stone's Greg Tate described the album as 'spiritual and epiphanic,' marking a shift from the band's previous high-spirited style.