Lyric discussion by nannerpuss 

Cover art for By the Way lyrics by Red Hot Chili Peppers

This song is clearly about addiction and the blank promises addicts make. Just watch the video and see the taxi as the drug . The doors lock the wild ride ensues and he calls for help and luckily his friends save him from his fate . Which some poor fellow is ready and waiting for . The soft parts of the song are the blank promises he is ashamed of the hard lyrics are the junkie working for his fix. At least that's my two cents .