Red Hot Chili Peppers discography

Lore & Background

The band's first three studio albums—The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984), Freaky Styley (1985), and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987)—achieved little commercial success. Their fourth album, Mother's Milk (1989), reached number 52 on the Billboard 200 and marked their breakthrough. With Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991), the band entered mainstream success; its single 'Under the Bridge' peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, and the album sold over seven million copies in the United States and 13 million worldwide. Guitarist John Frusciante left in 1992, leading to several replacements before Dave Navarro joined in 1993. Their sixth album, One Hot Minute (1995), peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 but did not match the success of Blood Sugar Sex Magik.

Frusciante rejoined in 1998, and the band released Californication (1999), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified six times Platinum by the RIAA. Their eighth album, By the Way (2002), reached number two on the Billboard 200. Stadium Arcadium (2006), their ninth studio album, became their first to top the Billboard 200. Frusciante left again in 2009, and in 2010 the band began recording their tenth studio album with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Released in August 2011, I'm with You peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. The band released their 11th studio album, The Getaway, in June 2016. In December 2019, the band announced that Klinghoffer had departed and John Frusciante had rejoined. Their 12th studio album, Unlimited Love, was released on April 1, 2022, debuting at number one in 10 countries, including the United States. Their 13th studio album, Return of the Dream Canteen, was released on October 14, 2022.

Reader's Guide

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have held records for most number-one singles (15), most cumulative weeks at number one (91), and most top 10 songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They have six multi-Platinum, two Platinum, and three Gold albums in the United States, totaling 27.5 million units, and nine multi-Platinum, three Platinum, and four Gold singles, totaling 40 million units. Their significance lies in their sustained commercial success across multiple decades, with number-one singles in four different decades (tied with Green Day). The band's ability to reunite with key guitarist John Frusciante multiple times and continue producing chart-topping albums—such as Unlimited Love, their first U.S. number-one since Stadium Arcadium—demonstrates their enduring appeal. Their discography includes seven consecutive albums charting within the top four on the Billboard 200 since Blood Sugar Sex Magik.

Did You Know?

• The Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold over 120 million records worldwide.
• They hold the record for most number-one singles (15) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.