By the Way cover art

  Studio Album · No. 8

By the Way Songwriting Credits by Red Hot Chili Peppers

2002 Warner Bros. Records 16 tracks 68 min

Produced by Rick Rubin  ·  Engineered by Jim Scott, Ryan Hewitt, Ethan Mates, Vlado Meller

Warner Bros. Records Funk RockAlternative RockPop Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 16 of 16 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 16 / 16 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 16 tracks with documented writers, by whether Red Hot Chili Peppers carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
16 trackswritten by Red Hot Chili Peppers 0 tracksoutside writers
Red Hot Chili Peppers's roles on this album

Share of the 16 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

16
Tracks
4
Lyricists
1
Producers
8 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
2002
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

International Album (2003)
Data Insight

By the Way is credited entirely to the four members of Red Hot Chili Peppers, with Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith sharing every songwriting credit. The album is widely seen as Frusciante's most influential, as he steered the band toward melodic, harmony-rich arrangements and lighter pop-rock textures. Rick Rubin produced again, capturing the band's shift away from heavy funk toward layered vocal melodies. The collaborative credit reflects the full-band writing process even as Frusciante shaped much of the album's direction.

Produced by Rick Rubin, this album featured dense Frusciante-led vocal harmonies and layered guitar arrangements. Flea and Smith had reduced creative input, leading to internal tensions.

Track Listing & Credits 16 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
By the Way #34
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
2
Universally Speaking
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
3
This Is the Place
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
4
Dosed
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
5
Don't Forget Me
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
6
The Zephyr Song #49
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
7
Can't Stop #57
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
8
I Could Die for You
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
9
Midnight
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
10
Throw Away Your Television
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
11
Cabron
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
12
Tear
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
13
On Mercury
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
14
Minor Thing
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
15
Warm Tape
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)
16
Venice Queen
Anthony KiedisFleaJohn FruscianteChad Smith Anthony KiedisMichael Peter BalzaryJohn Anthony FruscianteChad Gaylord Smith Rick Rubin Anthony Kiedis (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 8 contributors

AK
Anthony Kiedis
Writer · Vocals
On this album16 written
CG
Chad Gaylord Smith
Writer
On this album16 written
CS
Chad Smith
Writer
On this album16 written
F
Flea
Writer
On this album16 written
JA
John Anthony Frusciante
Writer
On this album16 written
JF
John Frusciante
Writer
On this album16 written
MP
Michael Peter Balzary
Writer
On this album16 written
RR
Rick Rubin
Producer
On this album16 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions By the Way

How is By the Way different from Californication?
By the Way moved Red Hot Chili Peppers further toward melodic, harmony-driven songwriting and lighter pop-rock textures. Guitarist John Frusciante played a larger role in shaping the album's direction, emphasizing vocal harmonies over heavy funk. The result is often described as the band's most melodic record.
Who produced By the Way?
Rick Rubin produced By the Way, continuing his run as the band's producer since Blood Sugar Sex Magik. He worked with the classic lineup of Kiedis, Flea, Frusciante, and Smith. The album reflected the band's shift toward more layered, melodic arrangements.
Who wrote the songs on By the Way?
All songs on By the Way are credited to the four members of Red Hot Chili Peppers: Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith. Frusciante is widely credited with shaping much of the album's melodic direction. The shared songwriting credit was the band's standard practice.
What singles from By the Way charted on the Billboard Hot 100?
Three singles from By the Way reached the Billboard Hot 100: the title track 'By the Way' at number 34, 'The Zephyr Song' at number 49, and 'Can't Stop' at number 57. All three also charted strongly on rock radio. 'By the Way' was the album's highest-charting single on the Hot 100.
Did By the Way win any awards?
Yes. By the Way won the Brit Award for International Album in 2003. The band also won several international honors that year. The album did not receive a Grammy nomination.
Who played guitar on By the Way?
John Frusciante played guitar on By the Way and was central to its sound. He emphasized vocal harmonies and melodic arrangements, giving the album its distinctive character. It is often cited as his most influential record with the band.
How well did By the Way sell?
By the Way has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. In the United States it was certified 2x Platinum, and it reached 7x Platinum in the United Kingdom. It was a strong commercial success, though it sold less than Californication.

Sources

Wikipedia: By the Way (album) Discogs master: By the Way Wikipedia: By the Way Wikipedia: By the Way (Red Hot Chili Peppers song) Wikipedia: Can't Stop (Red Hot Chili Peppers song) MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: By the Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers