By The Way
Red Hot Chili Peppers退 Lyrics


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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, 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

Dog town 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
Of her soul
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

Overall Meaning

"By The Way" by Red Hot Chili Peppers is a song about waiting in line for a show with a girl named Dani. The singer tries to express that he would be there waiting for her, but can't seem to get the words out right. Dani is singing songs to him, and the atmosphere around them is electric. The lyrics go on to describe a variety of characters and situations typical of urban nightlife, such as a "steak knife card shark" and a "pawn shop quick pick." There is an underlying theme of trying to make the most of the present moment and enjoying life to the fullest.


The chorus repeats, emphasizing the waiting and the heavy glow of the light. The bridge contains energetic exclamations and rhyming phrases that describe various moments and objects of the night. The song finishes with a repetition of the first verse, except this time the singer asserts confidently that he knows Dani from before.


Overall, "By The Way" is a high-energy song with a focus on youth and revelry. The singer expresses a desire to be present in the moment and take in everything the night has to offer. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and descriptions that paint a picture of the chaotic and exciting world of nightlife.


Line by Line Meaning

Standing in line
Waiting in a queue of people


To see the show tonight
To attend a performance tonight


And there's a light on
A light is illuminating the area


Heavy glow
A bright and strong radiance


By the way I tried to say
In addition, I attempted to communicate


I'd be there, waiting for
I will be present, waiting for


Dani the girl
A girl named Dani


Is singing songs to me
She is performing music for me


Beneath the marquee, overload
Below the large illuminated sign there is an excess of sensory stimulation


Steak knife card shark
An individual skilled in using a sharp knife and gambling with playing cards


Con job boot cut
Deceptive behavior using a style of jeans characterized by a slight flare at the bottom


Skin that flick
Play that movie


She's such a little DJ
She is a small but talented disc jockey


Get there quick
Hurry in order to arrive soon


By street but not the freeway
Using side streets rather than the main highway


Turn that trick
Perform a clever feat


To make a little leeway
To create some progress or advancement


Beat that nic
Overcome that addiction to nicotine


But not the way that we play
But not in the manner we operate


Dog town blood bath
A violent and bloody incident occurring in Dog Town


Rib cage soft tail
A motorcycle designed with a soft tail suspension system that exposes the rib cage of the rider


Black jack dope dick
A person addicted to gambling and drugs


Pawn shop quick pick
Choosing items quickly from a pawn shop


Kiss that dyke
Kiss that woman who is attracted to other women


I know you want to hold one
I am aware that you desire to hold a microphone


Not on strike
Not participating in a work stoppage


But I'm about to bowl one
But I am going to throw a strike in bowling


Bite that mic
Bite on the microphone


I know you never stole one
I am aware that you have never stolen a microphone


Girls that like
Girls who enjoy


A story, so I told one
A narrative, which I proceeded to relate


Song bird, main line
A vocalist, the primary focus


Cash back, hard top
Money returned, a car with a fixed roof


Oversold
More tickets were sold than available seats


Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
Expressions of surprise and skepticism that an intended promise or statement would actually be kept


Dani the girl is
Dani, the young woman, is


Beneath the marquee
Under the illuminated sign


Of her soul
Representative of her existence and character


I know you
I am familiar with you


From before
From a previous time or encounter




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., MoeBeToBlame
Written by: ANTHONY KIEDIS, MICHAEL BALZARY, JOHN FRUSCIANTE, CHAD SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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