Synopsis

Red Hot Chili Peppers perform "Aeroplane" on an extravagant, colorful stage inspired by classic Hollywood musicals. Gold-costumed dancers surround the shirtless band as synchronized swimmers, aerialists, trapezes, and elaborate geometric formations turn the set into a surreal spectacle. Near the end, children dressed as airplanes join the performance and sing the refrain. The clip shifts between lavish choreography, playful band close-ups, and aquatic imagery, creating a deliberately excessive visual counterpart to the song's buoyant funk-rock sound.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was designed as a tribute to Hollywood choreographer Busby Berkeley, with visual references to films including "42nd Street," "Bathing Beauty," "Million Dollar Mermaid," and "Easy To Love."

• The synchronized swimmers were a professional water ballet team from Southern California. The production reportedly spent about $25,000 just to use the pool, but could not afford to heat it.

• The red-and-white checkerboard pattern was a deliberate part of the set design, chosen because the production associated the colors with airports.

• The Aeroplane Kids were children from Flea's daughter Clara Balzary's preschool class. They also contributed backing vocals to the recording.

• The choreography was developed with very little rehearsal, with choreographer Keith Young working out many of the movements close to real time.

• During filming, a band member fell around 20 feet into the unheated pool after a trapeze rope broke. Contemporary behind-the-scenes material does not conclusively identify who it was.

• Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith both disliked the finished video. Kiedis has called it his least favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers video, while Smith reportedly compared its appearance to a dog food commercial.

• The band originally wanted a more sexually provocative treatment, but the concept was toned down after objections from a Warner Bros. employee.

• The song was the only track from "One Hot Minute" other than "Pea" to return to the band's live set after Dave Navarro's departure, although not until February 2016.