The definitive Red Hot Chili Peppers playlist

Going back to the band's first record, which has long been considered the starting point for the funk metal and rap metal movement, "Get Up and Jump" was the only single released from the self-titled debut. For the mid-1980s, the song, and the whole album for that matter, featured a sound that was not heard often. At least not in a professional, creative manner. 

Freaky Styley, the Chili's second album, was more refined in terms of production, but there was still some question as to whether it matured much as musicians -- especially, lyrically. That said, RHCP, especially in the early days, didn't always take itself too seriously and pushed the envelope. This cult favorite of a track is an example. The story of singer Anthony Kiedis's encounter with a female Catholic student was rather controversial, from the subject matter to the video that featured nudity and Kiedis on a cross. 

As we'll see moving further through this list, Anthony Kiedis writes a lot about his battle with heroin addiction, sex, and love for the state of California. "Fight Like a Brave," the lone single and true highlight from The Uplift Mȯfo Party Plan record, chronicles Kiedis' attempt to kick his heroin habit. He hoped the song would inspire others to seek help for their addictions, while always serving as a reminder of his own personal struggles.

Some of the Chili Peppers' most popular tunes are covers. Their high-octane version of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" is better than others. It actually sounds like a true metal band taking on the tune, rather than the funk stylings fans of the group's early work came to expect and appreciate. Though the track would appear on 1989's Mother's Milk (more on that in a bit), it was released as the B-side to the "Fight Like a Brave" single and found on The Abbey Road E.P. from 1988.

Speaking of Mother's Milk, it was the band's commercial breakthrough and first gold record. This cover of the Stevie Wonder classic was a big reason for the success. It might actually be the best version of the song, aside from the original. From Flea's thunder base intro to new drummer Chad Smith's furious pounding to close out the track, "Higher Ground" helped officially introduce the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the masses. This cover has been used often in television and film, perhaps no better than in the cult-classic ballet flick Center Stage.

In June 1988, RHCP guitarist Hillel Slovak died of a heroin overdose. "Knock Me Down" is a tribute to Slovak and the first single off Mother's Milk. There was also a noticeably strong presence of new lead guitarist John Frusciante, as the track is one example of the heavier, almost metal, offerings that can be found on the record. It's also a song, and album, that featured a more alternative feel, something that would fit in quite well with the direction mainstream music was headed in the 1990s. It also includes some of Chad Smith's best drumming with the band.

The Chili Peppers showed their showed somewhat of a progressive side on Mother's Milk. "Taste the Pain" delivered on that aspect, though the song was recorded before Chad Smith joined the group and with Fishbone's Philip "Fish" Fisher on drums. The song, which also features a trumpet solo from Flea, enjoyed more mainstream love while featured (in a longer form) on the Say Anything... soundtrack.

The title is rather self-explanatory. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are big fans of the Los Angeles Lakers, and legend Magic Johnson, in particular. This track, which clocks in at just under three minutes, has the tempo of a Lakers' fast break led by Magic. It's one of the band's more punk cuts, and it a fun romp to celebrate its favorite NBA player. The song also throws some love to underrated Lakers forward A.C. Green.

If there's one song that epitomizes the Red Hot Chili Peppers it's "Subway to Venus." It encompasses everything the band is about. Flea's funky baselines, heavy, yet poppy guitar riffs, and the scat-rap of Anthony Kiedis. The song was not a hit single for the band, but it's one of the most underrated cuts within the band's extensive catalog. It's never been played much live, which is a shame, but there's still plenty of satisfaction from enjoying it as recorded.

Like "Subway to Venus," "Stone Cold Bush" is another unheralded piece from Mother's Milk. Why? Because it showcases the talent of each member. It's one of Flea's great bass performances, while John Frusciante's guitar work is hard to beat and completely original for the time and alt-rock movement. Meanwhile, Chad Smith is tighter than ever on the drums. As for Anthony Kiedis, his frenetic vocals come to life in a rapid-fire fury that adds to the power and passion of the album.

"Show Me Your Soul" was recorded while the band toured in support of Mother's Milk. It ended up serving as the B-side to "Taste the Pain" and was also part of the Pretty Woman soundtrack. Soul, funk, and R&B legend Billy Preston played keyboards on the track, which was produced by Fishbone's John Norwood Fisher. It's also another example of the stellar guitar presence that John Frusciante had brought to the group.

A previously mentioned, Blood Sugar Sex Magik was the record that made the Red Hot Chili Peppers a household name. While the funk and rap aspects of previous albums were still there, the metal riffs had diminished and a more rhythmic, melodic approach was incorporated -- thanks to the continued contributions of John Frusciante and renowned producer Rick Rubin. "Give It Away" had it all and was the first No. 1 single in the band's history, opening the door for even greater success. 

"Under the Bridge" never reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in the United States (though, it did get up to No. 2), but thanks to MTV keeping the video for the song in heavy rotation, it's arguably the Red Hot Chili Peppers' most recognizable hit. It might also be the most personal to Anthony Kiedis, whose lyrics detail the feelings of loneliness and despair amid his drug abuse. The melodic beauty of the track was nothing like the band put out before but welcomed with open arms by fans and critics alike.

Following a similar blueprint as "Stone Cold Bush" and "Subway to Venus." "Suck My Kiss" is pure Chili Peppers. That classic heavy funk sound is the backdrop to Anthony Kiedis' alt-rap stylings. The song is grittier and rawer than, say, "Give It Away." Which is another track from Blood Sugar Sex Magik that falls along the same lines as this one, but with more of a pop tinge. 

The title track to the Chili's international breakout album was never released as a single and is often forgotten, or so it seems. Yet, it deserves so much more attention and praise. Anthony Kiedis goes deep with his vocals and builds up into and then during the chorus presents more of a metal/grunge feel. Something that we can easily hear coming from Soundgarden. Though without the rap element. A criminally underrated track in the band's catalog.

The last of the Chili Peppers' covers to make this list. While the band is known for its funk-metal base, it doesn't always get credit for going punk. Its cover of this Stooges' classic is well worth the time. John Frusciante shreds throughout, while Chad Smith is also at his best. The song was the B-side to "Give It Away," and also appeared on the somewhat forgotten "The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience" compilation album.

The follow-up to Blood Sugar Sex Magik, One Hot Minute was a top-5 record and multi-platinum effort. However, it was not as commercially successful as its predecessor. With John Frusciante having left the group, former Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro stepped in. The album spawned three singles, with "My Friends" topping the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. While it might be considered a poor man's "Under the Bridge," the melodic track truly is the highlight of the album.

Four years after One Hot Minute came out and with John Frusciante back on guitar, the Chili Peppers regained their spot among the biggest bands in the world. Californication sold more than 15 million copies around the globe and "Scar Tissue"  spent 16 straight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and 10 atop the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It was an example of the more melodic, and even a little darker, sound of the record.

Another Californication gem, "Otherside" was the third single off the album and spent 13 consecutive weeks in the top spot of Billboard's Alternative Songs chart. It's a more "groovier" tune than any other on the record but had made the perfect pop/alternative foundation to be an obvious hit at a time when alternative music experienced an identity crisis. The track, reportedly, was another influenced by late former RHCP guitarist Hillel Slovak.

The third No. 1 single (Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts) off the record, this title track is one of the band's most popular and recognizable tunes. It's also regularly a highlight of the band's traditionally stellar live shows. As we touched on earlier, and what has been a rather consistent theme to Chili Peppers' songs, life in California is a major inspiration for the group. 

Another No. 1 hit for the band, "By The Way," from the album of the same name, blended, as John Frusciante stated: "wild part of our sound with the melodic part of our sound." It's that type of experimentation that made the song, and album, both critically and commercially successful. Frusciante was a major presence on the record, from his guitar playing to songwriting.  

The Red Hot Chili Peppers returned to its funk roots with "Can't Stop." Yet, with a more mature sound, and obviously better production, than those earlier, more raw tracks. While there's nothing wrong with it, but doesn't help when it comes to mainstream success. Another hit off By the Way, "Can't Stop" was the band's eighth No. 1 single and showed that great bands are capable of getting even better with age.  

For as big as Blood Sugar Sex Magik was, the Grammy Award-winning Stadium Arcadium is arguably the band's best album when it comes to the overall product. It's been hailed as a potpourri of all the various genres the group has touched upon over the years -- funk-rock, rap, alternative, metal, and plenty of melodic indie vibes. "Dani California," especially the video, pays homage to it all and joined R.E.M.'s  "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" as the only songs to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's Modern Rock chart.

As Anthony Kiedis has stated, this major Stadium Arcadium hit for RHCP is about starting over. Second, third, or even fourth chances with a clean slate to build on. Also, "Snow" just happens to be a great alternative rock song and one of the best tracks in the history of the band. The emotion of the cut, combined with the passion in which the band puts into playing it on stage, makes the live Red Hot Chili Peppers experience so special.

The band's most recent album, and first since 2011's I'm with You. The Getaway also ended the band's 25-year run with producer Rick Rubin. "Dark Necessities" is the class of the record, and the 13th No. 1 single in the history of the group. It quickly became a live favorite. There's also a very indie rock feel to the song. Maybe because it was co-written by Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse), who also produced the album.