Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: July 9, 2002

Songwriter: Flea John Frusciante Chad Smith Anthony Kiedis

Producer: Rick Rubin

[Verse 1: Anthony Kiedis]
Things will never be the same
Still, I'm awfully glad I came
Resonating in the shape of things to come
Never waiting when I know there's only one
Messed it up, but rest assured
No one ever thinks they're cured
Just a minute while I reinvent myself
Make it up, and then I take it off the shelf

[Pre-Chorus: Anthony Kiedis]
Over the laws of light
Over the moon by midnight
Let's do it all this time
Everyone wishing well we go, and

[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Everyone knows anything goes, and now
We are the lotus kids
Oh, better take note of this
For the story

[Verse 2: Anthony Kiedis & John Frusciante]
The rising moon is on the shine
The blood of Scorpio's a nine
Like the fear that's in the eyes of every doe (Ah-ah)
Say it now, 'cause John and Jane would like to know (Ah-ah)
Is it safe inside your head?
Songs to serenade the dead
All along, I said I know no enemies
Mix it up until there are no pedigrees

[Pre-Chorus: Anthony Kiedis]
Over the laws of light
Over the moon by midnight
Let's do it all this time
Everyone wishing well we go, and…

[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Everyone knows anything goes, and now
We are the lotus kids
Oh, better take note of this
For the story

[Bridge: Anthony Kiedis]
Over the laws of light
Over the moon by midnight
Let's do it all this time
Into the shadow showing
Enter the rolling tide
Over the ocean so wide
Let's do it all this time
Everyone wishing well we go, and…

[Chorus: Anthony Kiedis with John Frusciante]
Everyone knows anything goes, and now
We are the lotus kids
Oh, better take note of this
For the story
Everyone knows anything goes, and now
We are the loaded kids
Oh, better take note of this
For the story
Everyone knows anything goes, and now
We are the lotus kids
Oh, better take note of this
For the story

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a rock band based in Los Angeles, CA that incorporates elements of rap, funk, punk, and rock into their work, mainly classified as an alternative rock band. They made it mainstream off the success of their 1991’s fifth studio album Blood Sugar Sex Magik, led by singles “Give it Away” and “Under the Bridge.” After losing guitarist John Frusciante and losing popularity following the release of the less successful One Hot Minute, the band reunited for 1999’s Californication. The title track and hit singles “Around the World,” “Scar Tissue” and “Otherside” propelled them back to the fame. After 2002’s solid release By the Way and 2006’s double-disc Stadium Arcadium, Frusciante once again left the band to further pursue his solo career. The band added Josh Klinghoffer to help fill his void, and released I’m With You in 2011.

In December 2019, the band announced via Instagram that Klinghoffer had left after 10 years, and Frusciante would be rejoining.

Their lyrical content was mostly centered around sex, drugs, and the Los Angeles lifestyle, and lead singer Anthony Kiedis mostly rapped them as he wasn’t confident as vocalist. Most members of the band also suffered from drug addiction, as Kiedis and Frusciante had to check themselves into rehab for heroin addiction at various points in their lives. But Californication marked a change in the band’s content matter and lifestyle. The band was sober for the most part, and the lyrics had shifted to songs about love and the pains of addiction, the title even criticized the city they loved so much. In addition, Kiedis had started to sing his lyrics much more often as he finally felt comfortable with his voice. That change has allowed the band to stick around for over 20 years despite multiple changes to their lineup and is part of why they remain relevant.

more tracks from the album

By the Way

From the albums

By the Way (2002)
By the Way (Deluxe Version) (2002)

Red Hot Chili Peppers popular songs

MidnightRed Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers

By the Way