User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 269 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 249 out of 269
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Mixed: 12 out of 269
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Negative: 8 out of 269
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Aug 2, 2011By the Way represents a different direction for the Red Hot Chili Peppers compared to Californication. By the Way us is very melodic with beautifully composed songs, my personal favorites being Don't Forget Me and Venice Queen.
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Oct 22, 2010
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Apr 15, 2021My 2nd favourite Red Hot Chili Peppers album, right after Californication and my favourite album of the 21st century. The combination of Kiedis' angelic voice, Frusciante's piercing guitar and also angelic harmonies, Flea's melodic basslines and Chad Smith's powerful drumming touch my heart every time. A perfect record that sends me right down to 2002-2003.
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Dec 9, 2011The perfect example of the basic, unchanging Red Hot Chili Peppers we all know and love. The only reason that it's not on a 9 out of 10 is the fact that it's a step down in quality from Californication. Some of the songs on the album however are complete classics. It's just a shame they didn't really try anything too complicated or away from the norm.
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CelineS.Mar 8, 2003BEST CD IN THE UNIVERSE. Most poetic lyrics u'd ever hear. Anthony is a genius. all those people who say they rn't good... listen to it once more.
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AnonymousNov 6, 2003This is a great CD! I think it is one of their best albums; it is almost as good as Californication. With excellent songs, like By the Way and the Zeypher song, and other great songs, including Can't Stop and Dosed, this is a must-buy CD.
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BunsAnonymousMay 25, 2005An excellent album full of super chili's songs
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DracoolJul 23, 2002This is a very great album, I listen to it almost every day, the songs keep haunting you. I like the style of this album, more melodic and with some unpepperish instruments.
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CenaniMJan 13, 2003I'd say this is one of their best albums!I would say that some of their songs on here are slow but the others make up for that.
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QMastaOct 3, 2003Some people don't like the change of sound but they're missing the point, it's uncommon to find a band who are creative enough to produce such diverse sounds and completely pull it off. Luv it!!
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AJW.Apr 2, 2006Wow, simply the greatest album in the world ever, until maybe Stadium Arcadium.
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JosepherWMay 1, 2006I am pretty much sick that people are not giving this cd 100, this album is insanly good, and if you havn't herd it you don't know what your missing.
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TomBMay 8, 2006Simply gorgeous!! I love this album!
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DanielG.Jun 28, 2006very good
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[Anonymous]Oct 18, 2002its sooooooooo cool
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MichelB.Jul 10, 2002Less rock than CALIFORNIFICATION, more pop/ballad. I really like this album, you can listen to it all night and not be bothered/bored at all. Good work RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS! I really like your music, keep up good work!
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MitchW.Jul 10, 2002Rick Rubin did an excellent job producing this cd. What I like about By The Way that wasn't on Californication was the very diverse music. Not only the style of it, but also the speeds and sounds of each song. Also, the guitar is much better than on Californication. Overall, a great cd and a must-buy.
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SamJul 12, 2002I luv it.
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MichaelE.Aug 2, 2002Granted this isn't perfect, with a few songs that just kind of sound awkward, but this is still far and away the Peppers' best album. Their most consistent, and without the dullness of some of the 'Californication' material.
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ChrisP.Aug 3, 2002very smooth and melodic feel - solid followup to Californication
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HaakonH.Aug 5, 2002While I like thier funk rock music and wish this album had a bit more I can't deny that this is an very good CD.
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zackoJul 29, 2003im a big peppers fan, and this was a new twist to what i expected, but i really liked thier new style
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SNIKONOct 1, 2004
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VanessaPAug 5, 2004strange and beautiful everything music sholud be.
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C.D.May 26, 2005Great Album! One of their best!
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PatrickBNov 26, 2006A good album which I think is criticised simply because the Chilis' other albums are better.
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sweetaMar 22, 2006Good, but it doesn't capture the magical funk rock experience of Blood Sex Sugar Magik.
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camdenlMay 8, 2006badass album
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kieferhJul 15, 2006
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patdDec 2, 2007Great Album
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ChrisR.Oct 6, 2007SAVAGE TOAST gave it a4: fuck u all who think this album is incredible. any no name shit can right songs like these. i can rhyme just as well as rhcp Don't know the difference between right and write though, moron. Some of the best music this side of the 21st century. I wish they didn't make that shitty Stadium Arcadium album right after this one though.
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MaxPowerNov 29, 2002An almost perfect album. The Zepher Song and Dosed are quite brilliant. Just better than Californication, an ecievement in itself.
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iskateboardJul 23, 2002the first time i heard this cd i thought the rhcp had finally lost it, but now that ive listened to the cd alot im starting to like it more and more. nothing will ever be as good as blood sugar sex magik and the other albums, but its still good.
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JoshHSep 25, 2002The greatest album I have ever listened to. Definitely worth a 10
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JeremyDDec 17, 2004This is one of the best album's ever. The reason I love the chili peppers so much is because of their diversity. They write so many different styles of music it's awesome. This is not one of those albums where you only listen to a few tracks. I love every single song on this record! It rocks! Buy it to support this awesome band!
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patdApr 16, 2005Great Album
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FreddyTApr 27, 2005The last 5 songs suck (although "Venice Queen" has it's moments), and "Zephyr Song" and "Midnight" are also pretty weak. A bit dissapointing for a band like the Chili Peppers.
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NataliePNov 27, 2006
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VidM.Aug 13, 2007Good stuff.
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Dec 29, 2010By the Way is a great album, with nothing to boot. The Chili Peppers utilized instruments and melodies that are uncharacteristic to their usual music, but they managed to get the record done perfectly. Highly recommend it.
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Aug 15, 2011Really good album, probably their most underrated. The first show I ever went to was on this tour, it was their performance in Park City, Utah. Amazing
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Sep 8, 2011Yes, I agree. Some songs, especially on the first part of the album, sound like a side B of californication. However, the second half of the album has some great songs like "TEAR", "Cabron" or the first 2 mins of "Venice Queen". As Californication had a 9 I will give this record a 7 out of 10.
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Apr 23, 2012Many will disagree but I feel this is RHCP strongest overall album. While it's all high quality, over two thirds of it is outstanding, especially the first half of the album. As usual for the band, the record is too long by several tracks but in this case that doesn't take too much from the album. I don't think they've really come near to this level with the records they've put out since.
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Jun 21, 2012
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Mar 2, 2014
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Dec 30, 2013The best thing in this album is the variety, if you listen to midnight and then don't forget me and it's like you're on a different album. In the most of the songs the guitar riffs are pretty simple but they're original and beautiful.
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Aug 20, 2016I loved nearly every song on this album. Great melodies, great vocals, guitar, bass and drums. Everything clicked on this album for me! This album is tied as my third favorite album from them after, Californication and Stadium Arcadium.
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Oct 5, 2016
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Jan 6, 2017
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Oct 3, 2017Pleasant melodies that accompany the rhythm of sweet instrumental arrangements attest to the virtues of the most sentimental work of Red Hot Chili Peppers.
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Apr 11, 2020
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Jun 6, 2020
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Jul 16, 2020
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Aug 17, 2021Just as good as Californication for me. Very nice guitarwork, John Frusciante sure is one of the greatest guitarists, on this album and especially live. The whole band really sounded like they had fun on this album and that's all i can say, a really fine record!
Awards & Rankings
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By The Way inevitably suffers for its familiarity: Had it followed 1995's so-so One Hot Minute instead of Californication, it would qualify as a revelation instead of a worthy retread.
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Underpinned throughout by the kind of melancholic edge discovered on radio friendly ode to smack 'Under The Bridge', and punctuated by a spontaneous, back-to-basics feel, it's an album that sees the Chilis revitalised.
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Spit-shine production, passionless instrumentation, (extremely) laid back grooves and laughably awful lyrics all conspire to do this once explosive band in.