The Essential Playlist: Red Hot Chili Peppers

There are very few bands that stay relevant for even a whole generation, let alone three. Despite monotony in lyrics department, Red Hot Chili Peppers have garnered audience acclaim throughout their career by having a distinct sound and attractive weirdness of the frontman Anthony Keidis. They are one of the few bands to successfully mature over time in every department ( especially the vocals and lyrics) and when things weren’t looking good they didn’t shy from going back to the basics. It’s doesn’t matter whether you love the funky grooves of Hillel Slovak, or the ever evolving melodious riffs of John Frusciante, the psychedelic vision of Dave Navarro or the simple yet unconventional guitar effects of Josh Klinghoffer, there is something for everyone. Here are the 10 essential songs of Red Hot Chili Peppers that should be on your playlist or at least you should give them a try.

10. Dark Necessities( The Getaway)

Starting with their most recent album "The Getaway", the lead single "Dark Necessities" was a return of the classic RHCP with a sick and catchy bassline by Flea, stanky claps and one of the most vague and personal lyrics by Anthony about his days as a drug addict. After a pretty forgettable “ I'm With You”, RHCP were back with "blood, sugar, sex, magic."

9. Tell Me Baby( Stadium Arcadium)

"Tell Me Baby” is neither complex nor innovative. But it still holds up with the time with it’s memorable and meaningful lyrics which not only reflects California and American dream but the dreams of every small town person in every country. “Some dreams are meant to be declined”- it’s not necessary that what you expect will happen and you will be disappointed initially but you need not to travel far away to find what you desire- “ The thing we need is never all that hard to find”.

8. Wet Sand( Stadium Arcadium)

A grand and ambitious track with deep and poetic lyrics written by Anthony. It’s touching, complicated and one of the few times where Anthony seemed like a world class lyricist. A catchy hook and a rocking outro makes it even more baffling that this was not a single.

7. By the Way( By the Way)

Recorded during Anthony's( and the band's) happiest time of life, the song is the summation of everything special and loved about RHCP. Starting with a gentle chorus, it kicks in to the classic funky verses of the band and finally ends at a calm outro chorus. “By the Way” is one of the most commercially successful songs of RHCP and an exciting, fun roller coaster ride.

6. Otherside( Californication)

A tribute to the co-founder of the band Hillel Slovak, “Otherside” is haunting as well as mesmerizing. Out of all the songs dedicated to Slovak( “Knock Me Down”, “My Lovely Man”), this is undisputedly the best. Frusciante's 13 note riff now goes down as one of the most iconic riffs of modern rock and the song builds up the tension, then releases it and once again rises it up. But the star of the song is Chad Smith with brilliantly placed beats and a really intelligent drum work. It’s RHCP at their strongest and most complex.

5. Under the Bridge( Blood Sugar Sex Magik)

Often regarded as the greatest song by the band and rightfully so. Few songs gets the universal acclaim and fame this one enjoyed and it skyrocketed the popularity of the band. “Under the Bridge” is profoundly meaningful and hauntingly beautiful. The outro is one of the best in the history of rock music and gave the band much needed legitimacy and brought them into the mainstream.

4. Soul to Squeeze( Greatest Hits/ Blood Sugar Sex Magik)

A relaxing bass, a melancholic melody and arguably the best vocal performance of Anthony’s career. Here they are not trying to be anything else but themselves. The chorus will give you chills with it’s gorgeousness. Anthony wrote this song for his father who suffered from dementia and the lyrics brought tears out of my eye( one of the few songs to do so). John had already left the band but you can still feel his presence here. But it was Flea and Chad Smith that completed this song with probably their most melodic bass tunes and drum beats. Pure Melancholy!

3. Californication( Californication)

If “Under the Bridge” brought them mainstream recognition, this song( and the album) brought them a legendary status. They were no more a rudely entertaining band but a deeply spiritual and epiphanic one. "Californication" is now synonymous with the Chili Peppers and one of the main reason behind band's ‘creative exhaustion'.

2. Scar Tissue( Californication)

The return of John Frusciante had to be huge and with this song they knocked it out of the park. If "Californication" was the biggest commercial success from the album, this one was their biggest critical success. The catchy melody and infectious guitar riffs was backed by some of the best and curiously vague lyrics written by Anthony which ensured that “Scar Tissue” was a sure fire hit.

1. Snow( Hey Oh)( Stadium Arcadium)

"Snow( Hey Oh)" is my all time favourite Chili Pepper track and the first ever American song I ever heard. It has one of the most awe-inspiring and toughest opening riffs and lyrics that every one can easily connect to. Anthony's lyrics were always personal yet had a mass appeal and here he is at his best. Chad Smith often gets overlooked for his drum work( as are all the drummers which is a shame) but he was on fire here. "Snow( Hey Oh)" is peak Red Hot Chili Peppers.