By the Way

This article is about the Red Hot Chili Peppers album. For the title track, see By the Way (Red Hot Chili Peppers song). For other uses, see By the Way (disambiguation).

By the Way
Studio album by
Red Hot Chili Peppers
ReleasedJuly 9, 2002 (2002-07-09)
RecordedNovember 2001 – May 2002
StudioCello and Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles, California
Genre
Length68:27
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerRick Rubin
Red Hot Chili Peppers chronology
Californication
(1999) 		By the Way
(2002) 		Greatest Hits
(2003)
Singles from By the Way
  1. "By the Way"
    Released: June 10, 2002
  2. "The Zephyr Song"
    Released: August 17, 2002
  3. "Can't Stop"
    Released: February 3, 2003
  4. "Dosed"
    Released: May 19, 2003
  5. "Universally Speaking"
    Released: June 17, 2003

By the Way is the eighth studio album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released July 9, 2002, on Warner Bros. Records. It sold more than 286,000 copies in its first week, and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. Singles included "By the Way", "The Zephyr Song", "Can't Stop" and "Universally Speaking". Additionally, "Dosed" was released as a promotional single in the US and Canada. The lyrical subject matter vocalist Anthony Kiedis addresses in By the Way is a divergence from previous Red Hot Chili Peppers albums, with Kiedis taking a more candid and reflective approach to his lyrics.[4]

By the Way was lauded by critics as a departure from the band's previous styles, and is recognized for the melodic and subdued emotions given by the Chili Peppers.[4][5] Guitarist John Frusciante is credited with writing most of the album's melodies, backing vocal arrangements, bass lines, and guitar progressions, therefore changing the direction of the recording dramatically: "his warm, understated guitar work and his doo-wop style vocal harmonies are king this time around."[6] By the Way contained very little of the signature funk-metal fusion the band had become known for playing.[7] Frusciante has stated that writing "By the Way [was] one of the happiest times in my life." The album went on to sell more than eight million copies worldwide.[8]

  1. ^ Shepherd, Fiona (October 25, 2002). Rich pickings: [S2 AND INTERACTIVE SUPPLEMENT Edition]. Edinburgh, Scotland: Scotsman Publications. p. 21. ISSN 0307-5850. ...melodic alternative rock of the Red Hot Chili Peppers [By The Way]
  2. ^ Weekend: Reviews: Peppers are still red hot ; Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way (Warners). Birmingham, England: Mirror Regional Newspapers. July 6, 2002. p. 52. This time we're spared the awful punning title and served 70 minutes of blissed out US funk rock.
  3. ^ Recordings: [Final Edition]. Ottawa, Canada: Postmedia Network Inc. July 27, 2002. p. J4. ISSN 0839-3222. Clocking in at almost 70 minutes, the Peppers generously follow the stylistic threads of that best seller with 16 nearly instant pop rock classics.
  4. ^ a b Johnson, Zac. "By the Way – Red Hot Chili Peppers Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  5. ^ Moon, Tom (July 2, 2002). "By The Way". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 16, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2007.
  6. ^ Mack, Kimberly. "By the Way Album Review". PopMatters. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2007.
  7. ^ "By the Way Album Review – Daniel Pike". BBC. Archived from the original on March 5, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2007.
  8. ^ Dalley, Helen (August 2002). "Interview with John Frusciante". Total Guitar. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2007.