Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs Ranked

Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group’s musical style primarily consists of alternative rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk rock and psychedelic rock. When played live, their music incorporates elements of jam band due to the improvised nature of many of their performances. Currently, the band consists of founding members of vocalist Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea (Michael Peter Balzary), longtime drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the best-selling bands of all time with over 80 million records sold worldwide, they have been nominated for sixteen Grammy Awards, of which they have won six, and are the most successful band in alternative rock radio history, currently holding the records for most number-one singles (13), most cumulative weeks at number one (85) and most top-ten songs (25) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. Here are all of Red Hot Chili Peppers songs ranked.

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20. Dark Necessities (The Getaway, 2016)

“This song defeated all other previous songs of RHCP. It is the most perfect song ever composed by RHCP with perfect vibes and perfect mixture of classics and modern style of rock music. Better listen to it and enjoy listening to it like you want to dance with its groove.”

19. I Could Have Lied (Blood Sugar Sex Magik, 1991)

“This song heals wounds no band-aid in the world could heal. It really is an amazing song, the guitar riff is full of emotion, the lyrics are amazing and the drum beat is just right. Without a doubt, the best Chili Pepper’s song out there. Incredible.”

18. Breaking the Girl (Blood Sugar Sex Magik, 1991)

“What makes this song great is very little related to the lyrics. My favorite Zeppelin song is ‘Friends’ and I seem to be in the minority with this taste. When I realized that Frusciante pulled inspiration from that same song, it suddenly clicked. That’s why this is one of my favorite RHCP songs.”

17. Venice Queen (By the Way, 2002)

“This is undoubtedly the greatest rRHCP song for two reasons. The meaning and Frusciante’s guitar playing. It is mind-blowing. Yet after reading scar tissue and knowing what it means, it’s very sad to listen to.”

See more: Red Hot Chili Peppers Albums Ranked

16. Aeroplane (One Hot Minute, 1995)

“A great poppy song with an amazing bass lick that gets the song going. The bass and guitar solos are phenomenal as well. This song is underrated! Flea’s bass on this track is really second to none and I love Chad Smith on this one.”

15. Don’t Forget Me (By the Way, 2002)

“This song is incredible, you can’t compare this song to some of the newer songs, simply because of the fact that it has so much deep emotion to it, that you know comes straight from the heart, especially when you hear some of the live ones such as the one at la Cigale in France, John completely nails in a solo and the intro is superb, seriously this song is amazing..”

14. Suck My Kiss (Devotion to Emotion, 1989)

“This is one of the greatest songs ever, is has such a funky sound with a wondrous rhythm. This song honestly is so catchy I find myself getting it stuck in my head while running. It has such a raw bass and guitar together that is just mesmerizing.”

13. Around the World (Californication, 1999)

“The bass, the guitar, it is said the gods listened to this song and made the earth.. The bass intro in the beginning is fantastic and the guitar during the chorus is just so melodious.. Love this song”

12. Soul to Squeeze (Coneheads, 1993)

“Very mellow and solid. Nice guitar riffs, smooth bass, great drums, nice vocals. Overall a perfect song. The big instrumental bridge is a good break in the song, it shows that RHCP really has a lot of musical knowledge on top of their obvious talent.”

11. Higher Ground (Devotion to Emotion, 1989)

“Such a great song. Ever since I heard this song on Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers the Movie, I thought it was awesome They sang a good Stevie Wonder song and turn it into a mouth-dropping funk metal song. Amazing.”

10. Wet Sand (Stadium Arcadium, 2006)

“This song gives the listener a glance inside Frusciante’s soul. There is a steady, mellow spirit but the fire burns beneath. When that fire reaches the surface, there is a euphoric explosion of sound that pulls the listener in by the ears and leaves a piece of Frusciente forever on the listener’s soul. And they are better for that. For the listener has seen what it means to be so intensely passionate without sacrificing control. They have seen how pin-like precision at the tiniest level compounds and binds together to form true beauty. And when they next find themselves in turmoil, the piece of Frusciante inside of them will give them strength. They will remember the guitar solo at the end of Wet Sand and understand that perfection is difficult to obtain, and to find it, one must not ever succumb to the challenges they face. If they are lucky, one day they may reach the enlightenment of spirit that they have longed for. One day, they will understand what it means to feel the world as “

9. By the Way (By the Way, 2002)

“This is honestly the best song. It just shows the RHCP style all in one song. You got their fast paced music style at one point and boom the best melody and chorus ever. So harmonious and yet so sporadic at other points. RHCP songs that are all harmonious mislead listeners to what RHCP songs really are. There really is something great about RHCP where they have so many different styles yet it’s their own unique style you can recognize it instantly if you’re a fan.”

8. Give It Away (Blood Sugar Sex Magik, 1991)

“This song changed my life… The meaning of this song is very touchable and deep. For those who read Anthony’s book know what I am talking about! The best song ever!”

7. Dani California (Stadium Arcadium, 2006)

“I feel that Dani California should be number one on this list. Anthony Kiedis probably wrote the best song that RHCP has recorded so far. He uses his melodic rhythm to describe a girl that he claims is wonderful. Also, the chorus can make you so pumped up that you will just want to keep rewinding the song when it is over.”

See more; Extreme Albums Ranked

6. Scar Tissue (Californication, 1999)

“With an awesome tune and great lyrics, this song is really the song for a chilled out barbeque and a Drink in hand just to relax, Just listen to the playing in this song and you can tell this is really a feel good song, I Remember listening to this song first watching mtv on T.V. and knowing it was RHCP maybe made it even better.”

5. Otherside (Californication, 1999)

“It’s strange how so many amazing songs are about something as horrible as drugs and addiction. But it really makes you feel for the people who go through that. Sure many of us look down on addicts for their choices but everyone has their reasons. Its not our place to judge. I never really care for a song unless it has a meaningful message behind it like this.”

4. Can’t Stop (By the Way, 2002)

“Everything that Anthony loves to sing about, he manages to sneak it all into this song. It’s the most energetic he has ever been vocal. John’s best guitar riff. Come on, no argument there. The buildup, the love song interlude… The backup vocals… The best Red Hot Chili Pepper song.”

3. Snow (Hey Oh) (Stadium Arcadium, 2006)

“I love this song for so many reasons, not only are the lyrics amazing but the meaning is out of control in the best way possible. It’s about the lead singer’s drug addiction, but it turns into so much more. Almost as haunting as Californication, but just as beautiful and methodical. Please please go look up the meaning behind the lyrics (of both songs! ), they’re so amazing and really make you appreciate the song even more. That’s one thing I love about RHCP, they’re songs are as meaningful as they are catchy and that’s more important than most of us realize. I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do.”

2. Californication (Californication, 1999)

“Unlike anything the Peppers ever wrote. The intro and verses are haunting as hell, the chorus is really catchy, and the guitar solo is just beautiful. No wonder Flea said this is the best song they ever wrote! “

1. Under the Bridge (Blood Sugar Sex Magik, 1991)

“Favorite song of all time. The Chili Peppers had a lot of big hits that are in my top 5, such as Dani California, Give It Away, Californication, and Scar Tissue, but none of the other songs ever came close to how good this one is. It’s completely different from the others because it connects to feelings we all have, such as loneliness. The song can, as its lyrics say, take you to the place you love. It’s such a mellow, slow, yet hard-hitting, powerful, and thought-provoking tune. This is in the top five for the greatest alternative rock songs of all time, and I think “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is the only thing that can beat, or at the very least contend with this masterpiece. Simply put, there will never be a song like this one ever again.”