By The Way is the eight album released by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on July 9, 2002. The album sold 281,948 copies in the United States in its first week and 1.8 million worldwide. It was certified gold just a few months later on October 26, 2002. Although it sold few copies than Californication, By The Way managed to peak at #2 on the Billboard 200.
By the Way was applauded 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 for writing most of the album’s melodies, 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 virtually none of the signature punk-funk fusion the band had become known for playing. Frusciante has stated that writing “By the Way was one of the happiest times in my life.”

Track list:

1. “By the Way” – 3:37
2. “Universally Speaking” – 4:19
3. “This Is the Place” – 4:17
4. “Dosed” – 5:12
5. “Don’t Forget Me” – 4:37
6. “The Zephyr Song” – 3:52
7. “Can’t Stop” – 4:29
8. “I Could Die for You” – 3:13
9. “Midnight” – 4:55
10. “Throw Away Your Television” – 3:44
11. “Cabron” – 3:38
12. “Tear” – 5:17
13. “On Mercury” – 3:28
14. “Minor Thing” – 3:37
15. “Warm Tape” – 4:16
16. “Venice Queen” – 6:07