By The Way

Album: By The Way (2002)
Charted: 2 34
Play Video
  • Standing in line to see the show tonight
    And there's a light on, heavy glow
    By the way, I tried to say
    I'd be there, waiting for
    Dani the girl is singing songs to me
    Beneath the marquee, overload

    Steak knife, card shark
    Con job, boot cut
    Skin that flick, she's such a little DJ
    Get there quick by street but not the freeway
    Turn that trick to make a little leeway
    Beat that nic, but not the way that we play
    Dogtown, blood bath
    Rib cage, soft tail

    Standing in line to see the show tonight
    And there's a light on, heavy glow
    By the way, I tried to say
    I'd be there, waiting for

    Black jack, dope dick
    Pawn shop, quick pick
    Kiss that dyke, I know you want to hold one
    Not on strike but I'm about to bowl one
    Bite that mic, I know you never stole one
    Girls that like a story, so I told one
    Song bird, main line
    Cash back, hard top

    Standing in line to see the show tonight
    And there's a light on, heavy glow
    By the way, I tried to say
    I'd be there waiting for
    Dani, the girl, is singing songs to me
    Beneath the marquee, oversold
    By the way, I tried to say
    I'd be there waiting for

    Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
    Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
    Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
    Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
    Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
    Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
    Ooh, ah, guess you never meant it
    Ooh, ah

    Standing in line to see the show tonight
    And there's a light on, heavy glow
    By the way, I tried to say
    I'd be there waiting for
    Dani, the girl, is singing songs to me
    Beneath the marquee, oversold
    By the way, I tried to say
    I know you from before

    Standing in line to see the show tonight
    And there's a light on, heavy glow
    By the way, I tried to say
    I'd be there waiting for Writer/s: Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith, John Anthony Frusciante, Michael Peter Balzary
    Publisher: Hipgnosis Songs Group, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Andy Burton from Leeds, EnglandThere's a whole bunch of "mondegreens" (misheard lyrics) in this song: "Dani the girl"/"Canada girl", "Beneath the marquee, overload"/"Beneath the marquee, over-sold", "Song bird, main line"/"Salford, England" (that's a whole urban myth on its own!), "I'm about to bowl one"/"I'm about to blow one", "Ooh ahh, guess you never meant it"/"Ooh ahh, kiss ya then I miss ya"...
  • Lydia Mcgowan from Monkstown Co. Dublin IrelandOne of my first Red Hot Chili Peppers songs.
  • Debbie from Saddle Brook, NjCan you believe I actually sung this in Karaoke a couple of times. Needed a few drinks but I pulled it off with a friend. Even went deep voiced Kiss that Dyke line where he does it...lol
  • Megan from Stevenson, AlI love this song! His voice is so good!
  • Ret from Bristol, United KingdomA good memory song from Summer 2002. Hope you're happy now
  • Austin from Smallsville,new England, --The music video shows Anthony getting into a cab where he is then kidnapped. Later Flea and John save him. At the end of the video their drummer chad gets into the same cab.
  • Mark from Worcester, MiI also heard this song described as the old Chili Peppers bumping into the new Chili Peppers, which made sense.
  • Mark from Worcester, Miwhat a fun song! I'm one of those who thinks the band lyrics are frequently just gibberish...goob goob type stuff. Some people get offended at the very thought. This is a great song to debate the issue. I'll toss out a couple of lines to get started. Everybody ready? Lets go: "Kiss that dyke, I know you want to hold one.
    Not on strike, but I'm about to bowl one." What are they expressing here? Something to move funky too? Maybe. No wait. It's a drug reference for sure. He was doing drugs and trying to kiss the dyke and the feeling was great...like bowling a strike. It's not something I know. It's something I feel deep. heh
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.