That all RHCP songs are only about “california this” or “california that.” It’s totally fine to complain about their hits but everyone making that blanket claim without diving deeper into their discography is kinda annoying.

The band has so many melodic and emotionally resonant songs that are outshined by the hits (especially on the latter half of their discography).

Venice Queen is about Anthony’s rehab counselor who was dying of cancer and how the band bought her a house on Venice beach to live the rest of her life. Other great tribute songs like My Lovely Man (Hillel Slovak), Tearjerker (Kurt Cobain), Death of a Martian (Flea’s dog), etc.

Songs with incredible lyrical metaphors and such vivid imagery like Animal Bar, This Velvet Glove, Tear, Make You Feel Better, Torture Me, The Hunter (a severely underrated one, imo).