As its title suggests, “Encore” was initially a short instrumental jam session played onstage towards the end of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ live shows. Guitarist Josh Klinghoffer explained its origins in the track-by-track album commentary:

It’s just a beautiful, simple bassline that Flea would play backstage, on stage, everywhere. We were always hearing him play that […] It was just sort of a piece of music that we’ve been excited to turn into a song for a long time and finally did when we got together to write for this album.

The song’s lyrics allude to Anthony Kiedis' personal growth and escape from his old lifestyle. Combined with its subdued melody and Flea’s simple bassline, he invites the listener to enjoy the smaller things in life, such as the moments created while listening to the radio and driving down the highway with a girl.