Red Hot Chili Peppers: A Retrospective (1983-2022)

Red Hot Chili Peppers A Retrospective: 1983-2022

Overview: The Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. Only singer Anthony Kiedes and bassist Flea have been a part of every incarnation of the band, although drummer Chad Smith has been with the band since 1988. The group recorded its first four albums with EMI before moving to Warner Bros. Records where their first album, 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik, would become a career pinnacle, launching the band into a string of multi-platinum, top-ten albums. Most of the band’s output with Warner Bros. Records was with famed producer Rick Rubin. The Players: Anthony Kiedes (vocals: 1983-present) Michael “Flea” Balzay (bass/trumpet/piano/backing vocals: 1983-present) Chad Smith (drums, percussion: 1988-present) John Frusciante (guitar/keyboards/backing vocals: 1988-92, 1998-2009, 2019-present) Cliff Martinez (drums: 1983-86) Hillel Slovak (guitar/backing vocals: 1983-88). Died of a heroin overdose on 6/25/88 at age 26. Jack Irons (drums: 1983, 1986-88) Zander Schloss (bass: 1992) Arik Marshall (drums: 1992) Jesse Tobias (drums: 1992) Dave Navarro (guitar: 1994-97) Josh Klinghoffer (guitars/keyboards/backing vocals: 2009-2019) Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Red Hot Chili Peppers DMDB List: Red Hot Chili Peppers: Top 50 Songs DMDB podcast: The Best of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (1983-2022) RedHotChiliPeppers.com (official site) Facebook Wikipedia

Awards:

Studio Albums: Compilations: WH What Hits!? (covers 1983-1991, released 1992) GH Greatest Hits (covers 1989-2002, released 2003) RT Road Trippin’ Through Time (covers 1991-2006, released 2011) Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to charts.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: August 10, 1984 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, 0.3 world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 2.263 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks: True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes (39 CO, 32 DF) WH Baby Appeal Buckle Down Get Up and Jump (8/10/84, 39 CO, 37 DF) WH Why Don’t You Love Me Green Heaven Mommy Where’s Daddy Out in L.A. Police Helicopter You Always Sing the Same Grand Pappy Du Plenty (instrumental) Total Running Time: 31:54 About the Album: The self-titled debut album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers is the only album to feature Jack Sherman on guitar. He replaced Hillel Slovak, who left the band along with founding drummer Jack Irons before the album was recorded. However, Slovak returned after this album. Andy Gill, the guitarist from Gang of Four, produced the album. While the album failed to chart, the Peppers started building a fan base at MTV and with college radio.

Freaky Styley Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: August 16, 1985 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.06 UK, -- world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 2.328 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Tracks: Jungle Man (8/16/85, 40 CO) WH Hollywood (Africa) (8/16/85, 15 CO) WH American Ghost Dance If You Want Me to Stay (18 DF) WH Nevermind Freaky Styley Blackeyed Blonde The Brothers Cup WH Battleship Lovin’ and Touchin’ Catholic School Girls Rule (40 CO) WH Sex Rap Thirty Dirty Birds Yertle the Turtle Total Running Time: 39:50 About the Album: Founding guitarist Hillel Slovak left the Peppers before they recorded their debut album, but was back for this one. George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic produced the album. While they had chemistry with him, delving into funk, punk, and psychedelic rock, the band suffered from drug use during the recording.

The Uplift Mofo Party Plan Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: September 29, 1987 Peak: 148 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 1.0 world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 2.902 out of 5.00 (average of 15 ratings)

Tracks: Fight Like a Brave (9/29/87, 39 CO, 31 DF) WH Funky Crime Me & My Friends (10/17/87, 39 CO, 31 DF) WH Backwoods (32 DF) WH Skinny Sweaty Man Behind the Sun (11/9/92, 7 MR, 21 CO, 18 DF) WH Subterranean Homesick Blues Party on Your Pussy (aka “Special Secret Song Inside”) No Chump Love Sucker Walkin’ on Down the Road Love Trilogy Organic Anti-Beat Box Band Total Running Time: 38:19 About the Album: This is the only Peppers album to feature the four founding members of the band on every track. It is the band’s only full-length album to feature drummer Jack Irons. This was also guitarist Hillel Slovak’s last album with the band before he died in 1988 from a heroin overdose. The album features a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” This was the band’s first album to chart and it eventually achieved gold status.

Mother’s Milk Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: August 16, 1989 Peak: 52 US, -- UK, -- CN, 33 AU Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.06 UK Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 3.223 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Tracks: Good Time Boys Higher Ground (4/8/89, 26 AR, 11 MR, 54 UK, 8 DF) WH, GH Subway to Venus Magic Johnson Nobody Weird Like Me Knock Me Down (8/22/89, 6 MR, 31 DF) WH Taste the Pain (10/14/89, 29 UK) WH Stone Cold Bush Fire (9/29/87, 39 CO, 29 DF) WH Pretty Little Ditty (instrumental) Punk Rock Classic Sexy Mexican Maid Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky (36 DF) WH Total Running Time: 44:52 About the Album: The fourth Peppers album was the first to feature guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith. Producer Michael Beinhorn pushed for more overdubbing and heavy metal guitar riffs. The album was their second to chart and first to reach gold status. Their cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” just missed the top-ten on the alternative rock chart.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: September 24, 1991 Peak: 3 US, 25 UK, 11 CN, 12 AU Sales (in millions): 7.0 US, 0.9 UK, 15.0 world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 4.295 out of 5.00 (average of 24 ratings)

Tracks: The Power of Equality If You Have to Ask (2/93, --) Breaking the Girl (7/30/92, 15 AR, 19 MR, 41 UK, 45 CN, 30 AU, 22 DF) GH, RT Funky Monks Suck My Kiss (12/14/91, 15 MR, 8 AU, 21 DF) GH, RT I Could Have Lied Mellowship Slinky in B Major The Righteous & the Wicked Give It Away (9/4/91, 73 BB, 1 MR, 9 UK, 41 US, 12 DF) GH, RT Blood Sugar Sex Magik (33 DF) Under the Bridge (2/15/92, 2 BB, 1 CB, 1 GR, 1 RR, 2 AR, 6 MR, 13 UK, 3 CN, 1 AU, 2 DF) WH, GH, RT Naked in the Rain Apache Rose Peacock The Greeting Song My Lovely Man Sir Psycho Sexy They’re Red Hot Total Running Time: 73:56 About the Album: After four albums with EMI, the Red Hot Chili Peppers signed a new contract with Warner Bros. Records. The result was a blockbuster argument that reached #3 in the United States, sold 15 million copies worldwide, and featured the group’s signature song, the #2 hit “Under the Bridge.” Read more on the DMDB page for this album.

What Hits!? Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: September 29, 1992 Recorded: 1984-1991 Peak: 22 US, 23 UK, 18 CN, 9 AU Sales (in millions): 1.5 US, 0.1 UK Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 4.136 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Tracks: (1) Higher Ground (2) Fight Like a Brave (3) Behind the Sun (4) Me & My Friends (5) Backwoods (6) True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes (7) Fire (8) Get Up and Jump (9) Knock Me Down (10) Under the Bridge (11) Show Me Your Soul (12) If You Want Me to Stay (13) Hollywood (Africa) (14) Jungle Man (15) The Brothers Cup (16) Taste the Pain (17) Catholic School Girls Rule (18) Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky Total Running Time: 67:28 Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Show Me Your Soul (10/14/89, 10 MR, 13 DF) WH About the Album: This compilation was released by EMI to collect highlights from the four albums the Red Hot Chili Peppers released in the 1980s via the label. The set also includes “Under the Bridge,” from the band’s first album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, with Warner Bros. Records. The collection also features “Show Me Your Soul,” a non-album cut first released as the B-side of “Taste the Pain” and later included on the Pretty Woman soundtrack.

One Hot Minute Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: September 12, 1995 Peak: 4 US, 2 UK, 6 CN, 12 AU Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.1 UK, 6.0 world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 3.416 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

Tracks: Warped (8/9/95, 41 BA, 13 AR, 7 MR, 31 UK) Aeroplane (3/14/96, 49 BA, 40 GR, 28 RR, 12 AR, 8 MR, 11 UK, 25 DF) RT Deep Kick My Friends (9/19/95, 27 BA, 33 GR, 46 RR, 4 AA, 1 AR, 1 MR, 29 UK, 10 DF) GH Coffee Shop (8/12/96, --) Pea One Big Mob Walkabout Tearjerker One Hot Minute Falling into Grace Shallow Be Thy Game (5/29/96, --) Transcending Total Running Time: 61:14 About the Album: Guitarist John Frusciante was overwhelmed by the success of the Blood Sugar Sex Magik album and left the band, opening the door for the band to hire Dave Navarro, best known for his stint in Jane’s Addiction. His style brought more heavy metal and psychedelic rock to the band’s sound. This would be his only album with the band – he was fired in 1998 for drug use and Frusciante returned. It was the band’s second album produced by Rick Rubin.

Californication Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: June 8, 1999 Peak: 3 US, 5 UK, 2 CN, 11 AU Sales (in millions): 5.35 US, 0.9 UK, 15.5 world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 3.981 out of 5.00 (average of 19 ratings)

Tracks: Around the World (8/23/99, 16 AR, 7 MR, 35 UK, 30 DF) RT Parallel Universe (12/1/99, 37 MR) GH, RT Scar Tissue (5/25/99, 9 BB, 11 GR, 10 RR, 11 A40, 2 AA, 1 AR, 1 MR, 12 DF) GH, RT Otherside (1/1/00, 14 BB, 23 GR, 25 RR, 11 A40, 12 AA, 2 AR, 1 MR, 33 UK, 18 DF) GH, RT Get on Top Californication (6/17/00, 69 BB, 30 GR, 31 RR, 28 A40, 17 AA, 1 AR, 1 MR, 16 UK, 12 DF) GH, RT Easily Porcelain Emit Remmus I Like Dirt This Velvet Glove Savior Purple Stain Right on Time (2/3/03, --) Road Trippin’ (12/11/00, 30 UK, 26 DF) GH, RT Total Running Time: 56:24 About the Album: Guitarist John Frusciante joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers for their Mother’s Milk album, but left after Blood Sugar Sex Magik. However, he was only out of the fold for one album before returning for Californication. This ended up being the band’s best-selling album. Read more on the DMDB page for this album.

By the Way Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: July 9, 2002 Peak: 2 US, 15 UK, 11 CN, 14 AU, 11 DF Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 1.95 UK, 11.2 world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 3.998 out of 5.00 (average of 21 ratings)

Tracks: By the Way (6/10/02, 34 BB, 1 AR, 1 MR, 2 UK, 13 DF) GH, RT Universally Speaking (6/1/03, 27 UK) GH This Is the Place Dosed (5/19/03, 13 MR, 22 DF) Don’t Forget Me The Zephyr Song (8/17/02, 49 BB, 16 A40, 1 AA, 14 AR, 6 MR, 11 UK, 28 DF) RT Can’t Stop (12/28/02, 57 BA, 15 AR, 1 MR, 22 UK, 25 DF) RT I Could Die for You Midnight Throw Away Your Television Cabron Tear On Mercury Minor Thing Warm Tape Venice Queen Total Running Time: 68:27 About the Album: The eighth studio album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers was also the fourth to be produced by Rick Rubin. The album was a top-5, multi-platinum success, just like its three predecessors on Warner Bros. Records. Nonethless, it was somewhat a departure from the band’s previous sound with much less emphasis on the funk-and-metal fusion for which they were so known. Read more on the DMDB page for this album.

Greatest Hits Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: November 18, 2003 Recorded: 1988-2003 Peak: 18 US, 4 UK, 38 CN, 2 AU Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 1.2 UK, 7.0 world (includes US and UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 4.397 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: (1) Under the Bridge (2) Give It Away (3) Californication (4) Scar Tissue (5) Soul to Squeeze (6) Otherside (7) Suck My Kiss (8) By the Way (9) Parallel Universe (10) Breaking the Girl (11) My Friends (12) Higher Ground (13) Universally Speaking (14) Road Trippin’ (15) Fortune Faded (16) Save the Population Total Running Time: 66:46 Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Soul to Squeeze (9/4/91, 22 BB, 15 CB, 14 GR, 20 RR, 7 AR, 1 MR, 10 DF) GH, RT Fortune Faded (11/3/03, 22 AR, 8 MR, 11 UK, 25 DF) GH Save the Population (11/18/03, --) GH About the Album: After four albums with EMI, Red Hot Chili Peppers jumped ship and signed with Warner Bros. Records. Their old label released What Hits!? to compile highlights from the band’s ‘80s output. This collection focuses in on the band’s four studio releases with Warner Bros. Records – plus one song, “Higher Ground,” from their EMI days. The album features two new songs which were originally recorded for an unreleased studio album. The collection also includes “Soul to Squeeze,” a non-album cut previously released as the B-side to “Give It Away” and available on the soundtrack for The Coneheads.

Stadium Arcadium Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: May 9, 2006 Peak: 12 US, 12 UK, 12 CN, 13 AU Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.68 UK, 7.0 world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 4.018 out of 5.00 (average of 29 ratings)

Tracks, Disc 1: Dani California (4/4/06, 6 BB, 24 RR, 5 A40, 1 AA, 1 AR, 1 MR, 2 UK, 1 CN, 8 AU, 21 DF) RT Snow (Hey Oh) (6/3/06, 22 BB, 21 A40, 3 A40, 3 AR, 1 MR, 18 UK, 28 DF) RT Charlie Stadium Arcadium Hump De Bump (4/7/07, 27 AR, 8 MR, 41 UK, 33 DF) She’s Only 18 Slow Cheetah Torture Me Strip My Mind Especially in Michigan Warlocks C’mon Girl Wet Sand Hey Tracks, Disc 2: Desecration Smile (2/12/07, 27 UK) Tell Me Baby (7/8/06, 50 BB, 22 A40, 27 AA, 8 AR, 1 MR, 16 UK, 28 DF) RT Hard to Concentrate (1 DF) 21st Century She Looks to Me Readymade If Make You Feel Better Animal Bar So Much I Storm in a Teacup We Believe Turn It Again Death of a Martian Total Running Time: 122:19 About the Album: This was the only double album released by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, although they did release two albums in 2022 which came out of the same sessions. Read more on the DMDB page for this album.

Road Trippin’ Through Time Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: May 5, 2011 Recorded: 1991-2006 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 4.396 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks: (1) Give It Away (2) Under the Bridge (3) Suck My Kiss (4) Scar Tissue (5) Breaking the Girl (6) Around the World (7) Otherside (8) Aeroplane (9) Californication (10) By the Way (11) Snow (Hey Oh) (12) Soul to Squeeze (13) Tell Me Baby (14) Dani California (15) The Zephyr Song (16) Can’t Stop (17) Parallel Universe (18) Road Trippin’ Total Running Time: 78:09 About the Album: This was a promo-only compilation released with the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ studio album I’m With You. It was not available commercially. It covered the five studio albums the group had released with Warner Bros. Records.

I’m With You Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: August 29, 2011 Peak: 2 US, 11 UK, 2 CN, 2 AU Sales (in millions): 0.55 US, 0.18 UK, 0.73 world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 3.015 out of 5.00 (average of 17 ratings)

Tracks: Monarchy of Roses (10/7/11, 16 AR, 4 MR) Factory of Faith Brendan’s Death Song (6/11/12, --) Ethiopia Annie Wants a Baby Look Around (1/25/12, 25 AA, 12 AR, 8 MR) The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie (7/18/11, 38 BB, 50 RR, 18 A40, 1 AA, 7 AR, 1 MR, 44 UK) Did I Let You Know (1/12, --) Goodbye Hooray Happiness Loves Company Police Station Even You Brutus? Meet Me at the Corner Dance, Dance, Dance Total Running Time: 59:15 About the Album: This album marked the return of the Red Hot Chili Peppers after a two-year hiatus from working together in the studio or on the road. This was their sixth studio album with Rick Rubin as their producer. This album also marked the debut of guitarist Josh Klinghoffer after John Frusciante left in 2009.

The Getaway Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: June 17, 2016 Peak: 2 US, 2 UK, 2 CN, 12 AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 0.1 UK, 1.03 world (includes US + UK) Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 2.838 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings)

Tracks: The Getaway Dark Necessities (5/5/16, 67 BB, 1 AA, 1 AR, 1 MR, 72 UK, 51 CN, 52 AU) We Turn Red The Longest Wave Goodbye Angels (6/17/16, 25 MR) Sick Love (12/4/16, --) Go Robot (9/8/16, 6 AA, 20 AR, 12 MR) Feasting on the Flowers Detroit This Ticonderoga Encore The Hunter Dreams of a Samurai Total Running Time: 53:41 About the Album: This was the band’s second and final album with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. John Frusciante would return for Unlimited Love in 2022. After six albums with Rick Rubin as producer – their entire output with Warner Bros. Records – the group went with Danger Mouse for this album.

Unlimited Love Unlimited Love

Released: April 1, 2022 Peak: 11 US, 11 UK, 11 CN, 11 AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 3.116 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Tracks: Black Summer (2/4/22, 78 BB, 3 AA, 2 AR, 1 MR, 43 UK, 38 CN, 82 AU) Here Ever After Aquatic Mouth Dance Not the One Poster Child (3/4/22, --) The Great Apes It’s Only Natural She’s a Lover These Are the Ways (3/31/22, 27 AR, 28 MR) Whatchu Thinkin’ Bastards of Light White Braids & Pillow Chair One Way Traffic Veronica Let ‘Em Cry The Heavy Wing Tangelo Total Running Time: 73:13 About the Album: After a ten-year absence, guitarist John Frusciante was back with the band for this album. In addition, after going with Danger Mouse as the producer for their previous album, The Getaway, the band returned to Rick Rubin, who’d produced the six studio albums before that. The group recorded nearly 50 songs and intended to release 40 of them as one album spread over seven physical discs. The record company balked at the idea, agreeing instead to release two separate studio albums, six months part, with a combined 34 songs.

Return of the Dream Canteen Red Hot Chili Peppers

Released: October 14, 2022 Peak: 3 US, 2 UK, 3 CN, 2 AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: alternative rock/funk Rating: 3.674 out of 5.00 (average of 5 ratings)

Tracks: Tippa My Tongue (8/19/22, 36 AA, 2 AR, 1 MR) Peace and Love Reach Out Eddie (9/23/22, --) Fake as Fuck Bella Roulette My Cigarette Afterlife Shoot Me a Smile Handful The Drummer (10/14/22, 19 MR) Bag of Grins La La La La La La La La Copperbelly Carry Me Home In the Snow Total Running Time: 75:10 About the Album: The songs from this album were recorded during the same sessions as the band’s previous album, Unlimited Love. Drummer Chad Smith noted that the band sequenced the albums as two separate experiences and that the second album should not be viewed as a collection of leftovers from the first album.

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Red Hot Chili Peppers First posted 11/16/2023.