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. 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." By the Way contained very little of the signature punk-funk fusion the band had become known for playing. Frusciante has stated that writing "By the Way one of the happiest times in my life." The album went on to sell more than eight million copies worldwide.
By the Way
Red Hot Chili Peppers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there's a light on, heavy glow
By the way, I tried to say
I'd be there, waiting for
Dani the girl is singing songs to me
Beneath the marquee, overload
Steak knife, card shark
Con job, boot cut
Skin that flick, she's such a little DJ
Get there quick by street but not the freeway
Turn that trick to make a little leeway
Beat that nic, but not the way that we play
Dogtown, blood bath
Rib cage, soft tail
Standing in line to see the show tonight
And there's a light on, heavy glow
By the way, I tried to say
I'd be there, waiting for
Black jack, dope dick
Pawn shop, quick pick
Kiss that dyke, I know you want to hold one
Not on strike but I'm about to bowl one
Bite that mic, I know you never stole one
Girls that like a story, so I told one
Song bird, main line
Cash back, hard top
Standing in line to see the show tonight
And there's a light on, heavy glow
By the way, I tried to say
I'd be there waiting for
Dani, the girl, is singing songs to me
Beneath the marquee, oversold
By the way, I tried to say
I'd be there waiting for
Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
Ooh, ah
Standing in line to see the show tonight
And there's a light on, heavy glow
By the way, I tried to say
I'd be there waiting for
Dani, the girl, is singing songs to me
Beneath the marquee, oversold
By the way, I tried to say
I know you from before
Standing in line to see the show tonight
And there's a light on, heavy glow
By the way, I tried to say
I'd be there waiting for
The song 'By the Way' by Red Hot Chili Peppers is an upbeat, fast-paced track that describes the excitement and anticipation of standing in line to see a show. The opening lines suggest a crowd waiting eagerly for the concert to start. The 'light on', a reference to the stage lights, creates a 'heavy glow' that builds the anticipation of the performance.
The song then goes on to mention 'Dani the girl,' who is singing songs beneath the marquee. This could either be a reference to the lead singer Anthony Kiedis's former girlfriend or a fictional character. Kiedis has mentioned that the song is about a friend who passed away.
The lyrics of the song are full of witty wordplay that gives the song its character. For example, 'steak knife card shark, con job boot cut' is just one example of the clever wordplay that peppers the song. The song is a high-energy celebration of life, love, and music.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing in line
Waiting in a queue to get into the show
To see the show tonight
To watch the performance that is happening tonight
And there's a light on
The stage lights are on
Heavy glow
Bright and intense light
By the way I tried to say
Incidentally, I tried to communicate
I'd be there, waiting for
I would be present, waiting for someone
Dani the girl
Referring to a girl named Dani
Is singing songs to me
Dani is performing and singing for me
Beneath the marquee, overload
Under the sign, which is full of lights and information
Steak knife card shark
A person who is good at playing and winning card games with a sharp knife
Con job boot cut
Scamming someone with a particular style of boot-cut pants
Skin that flick
Covering or removing the movie reel
She's such a little DJ
She is a great DJ
Get there quick
Hurry up and get there
By street but not the freeway
Reaching the destination through the smaller streets, not the highway
Turn that trick
Do something smart or clever to achieve a goal
To make a little leeway
To create some space or opportunity by using a tactic
Beat that nic
Overcome an obstacle in a clever way
But not the way that we play
Not using any unfair means
Dog town blood bath
A place where conflict and violence is common
Rib cage soft tail
A style of motorcycle
Black jack dope dick
Referring to someone who is addicted to gambling and drugs
Pawn shop quick pick
Buying something from a pawnshop very quickly
Kiss that dyke
To kiss a lesbian woman
I know you want to hold one
I am aware of your desires
Not on strike
Not doing any job actions that affect work
But I'm about to bowl one
But I am about to do something significant
Bite that mic
To use the microphone effectively
I know you never stole one
I'm sure you have never stolen a microphone
Girls that like
Referring to the girls who prefer
A story, so I told one
A narrative that I have conveyed
Song bird, main line
A singer who has a prominent place of representation
Cash back, hard top
Referring to a car which has an excellent fuel efficiency and a rigid roof
Of her soul
About her essence or spirit
Oversold
Sold more tickets than the space can handle
Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
A phrase used to suggest that someone did not do something they said they would
I know you from before
I am already familiar with you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Michael Peter Balzary, John Anthony Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Alvarez
on Californication
People who harness the power of the mind try to manipulate your emotions
Young girls aspire to Hollywood fame and fortune while reciting memorable movie quotes
If you desire superficial fame and materialistic success, California is the place to be
California represents the epitome of the quintessential Western society
Although the sun rises in the East, California remains a constant and established location in contrast to the ever-changing world
Hollywood creates and sells the illusion of the California dream
Spend a lot of money to prevent or delay the physical symptoms of aging
The superficial appearance of celebrities can be deceiving; they may be fighting a personal battle to maintain their image
The rarities and impossible things that are unique to California
The explicit and suggestive nature of the entertainment industry in California
Marry me and be my inspiration to create new things and leave a mark in the world
Young women with information and resources at their disposal may make decisions that lead them down certain paths, such as becoming pregnant at a young age
Owning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a symbol of achieving fame and fortune, representative of the Californian dream
Despite space being seen as the most uncertain and mysterious frontier, the idea of it is created by Hollywood and is not a reality
Kurt Cobain, who died before the song was written, may still be listening to music in another realm
The fictional planet Alderaan from Star Wars represents another aspect of the Californian dream or illusion created by Hollywood
People in California are often raised with the idea that control over population is important and necessary
Everyone has experienced being controlled or manipulating others in some way, which is not limited to people being on vacation
While destruction can lead to difficult times, it can also provide the opportunity for new and creative things to be born
Earthquakes, which may be seen as destructive and terrifying, can also be seen as inspiring or beneficial, similar to how a girl's guitar strings vibrate to produce beautiful music
Even in the face of disaster, the draw and allure of the Californian dream or illusion created by Hollywood remains strong
There is no way to measure someone's mental or emotional state, but perhaps you crave these superficial things that come with the Californian illusion
mexican tranny
on Right on Time
amo a fela kuti
Jesus Lopez Solsol
on Otherside
lo maximo