Otherside

"Otherside" is a profound and melancholic exploration of the struggles with drug addiction, particularly heroin. The song is widely interpreted as a tribute to the band's original guitarist, Hillel Slovak, who died of a heroin overdose in 1988. The 'otherside' is a multi-layered metaphor, referring to the afterlife, the state of being under the influence of drugs, and the challenging journey of recovery. The lyrics, penned by Anthony Kiedis, who also battled addiction, delve into the cyclical and relentless nature of the disease. Lines like "How long, how long will I slide?" express the feeling of being trapped in a downward spiral. The phrase "I tear it down, I tear it down and then it's born again" vividly captures the frustrating cycle of getting clean only to relapse. The song doesn't moralize addiction but rather presents the internal conflict and the haunting reality of it, acknowledging that for an addict, the temptation is never truly gone.

The song narrates a deeply personal and harrowing journey through the cyclical nature of drug addiction. It speaks from a place of perpetual struggle, questioning the duration of this descent into a darker state of being. The narrator feels a separation within himself, a disassociation from the part of him that succumbs to this destructive habit. Yet, there's a conflicting and unsettling acceptance, a belief that this path isn't inherently evil, even as it leads to self-destruction. The lyrics evoke a sense of being haunted by the past, where a simple photograph can trigger a relapse into old behaviors and memories. This leads to the realization that once you have crossed into this world of addiction, a complete return to innocence is impossible. The only way forward is to confront this reality, to 'take it on the other side,' a phrase that suggests both embracing the struggle and a potential flirtation with death itself.

The narrative continues by describing the immense weight and permanence of this struggle, likening it to centuries. The imagery becomes darker, with references to a 'cemetery where I marry the sea,' suggesting a union with something vast, final, and isolating. The external world presents strange and unsettling sights, yet these fail to alter the narrator's internal course. He feels compelled to continue on this path. The verses paint a raw and visceral picture of the physical and emotional toll of addiction: pouring one's life into a paper cup, likely a reference to methadone treatment, and spilling one's guts in a full ashtray. The lyrics also touch upon the relational strain, with a 'scarlet starlet' in his bed, a personification of the drug itself or a lover questioning his fidelity in the face of his addiction. This 'soul mate' has bled, a metaphor for the pain caused by this relationship. The act of 'pushing the trigger and pulling the thread' is a direct and chilling allusion to the mechanics of injecting heroin. The repetition of needing to 'take it on the otherside' reinforces the cyclical and inescapable nature of this battle, a fight that is constantly being lost and reborn.

"Otherside" was written by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante, and Chad Smith) and produced by Rick Rubin. It was released as the third single from their highly successful seventh studio album, Californication, in late 1999 and early 2000. The album marked the return of guitarist John Frusciante, who had left the band in 1992 due to his own struggles with heroin addiction. His return was pivotal in shaping the album's more melodic and layered alternative rock sound, a shift from their earlier funk-punk style. The song is deeply personal, reflecting the band's collective experiences with addiction, not only Kiedis's and Frusciante's but also as a tribute to their late friend and original guitarist, Hillel Slovak. The creation of "Otherside" was part of a very creative and emotionally charged period for the band as they reconnected with Frusciante and channeled their experiences into the music.

The rhyme scheme in "Otherside" is not strictly consistent, which complements the song's fragmented and introspective lyrical style. It often employs slant rhymes and internal rhymes to create a sense of unease and unpredictability. For instance, in the chorus, "slide" and "side" create a near rhyme, while the subsequent lines "bad" and the unfinished "ever..." create a sense of unresolved tension. The rhythm of the song is in a standard 4/4 time signature. The tempo is moderate, contributing to the song's melancholic and deliberate pace. A key rhythmic feature is the syncopated guitar riff in the intro and throughout the verses, where notes are played on the off-beats. This creates a signature bouncy, funky feel that is characteristic of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, even in a more somber song. The interplay between the straight-ahead drum beat and the syncopated guitar and bass lines adds a layer of rhythmic complexity that keeps the song engaging.

Musically, "Otherside" showcases the band's shift towards a more melodic and layered alternative rock sound. John Frusciante's guitar work is a key feature, with a distinct, clean, and arpeggiated riff that creates a haunting atmosphere. The song employs a dynamic structure, moving from quieter, more introspective verses to a powerful and emotive chorus. The use of counterpoint between the guitar and bass melodies in the intro is a notable technique, creating a complex and engaging texture. Anthony Kiedis's vocal delivery is emotive and restrained in the verses, building in intensity in the chorus, reflecting the song's emotional arc. The rhythm section of Flea and Chad Smith provides a solid, yet subtly intricate foundation that drives the song forward. Lyrically, the song uses fragmented and evocative imagery to convey the disoriented state of the narrator.

"Otherside" was a major commercial success, reaching number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spending 13 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. It became one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' most popular and enduring songs. The song is widely considered one of the band's best works, praised for its emotional depth and musical craftsmanship. The iconic music video, directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, received significant airplay and is remembered for its unique, artistic style inspired by German Expressionism. "Otherside" has been covered and remixed by various artists, including a notable version by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis which used the song's theme to discuss drug abuse in the hip-hop community. The song remains a staple of the band's live shows and continues to resonate with audiences due to its raw honesty and universal themes of struggle and hope.

• The 'Otherside': This is the central metaphor with multiple meanings. It signifies death or the afterlife, a direct reference to Hillel Slovak's passing. It also represents the altered state of consciousness while on drugs and the challenging path to sobriety, a different way of living.
• 'Slittin' my throat': This is a metaphor for self-destruction through drug use, highlighting the life-threatening nature of addiction.
• 'Pour my life into a paper cup': This is a direct reference to receiving methadone, a medication used to treat heroin addiction, which is often dispensed in paper cups.
• 'Scarlet starlet': This can be interpreted as a personification of the drug itself, an alluring yet dangerous lover. The color scarlet is also associated with the color of blood in a syringe.
• 'Push the trigger and I pull the thread': This is a graphic description of injecting heroin, with 'push the trigger' referring to the plunger of the syringe and 'pull the thread' likely alluding to the tourniquet.

The music video for "Otherside" is rich in symbolism, drawing heavily from German Expressionism, particularly "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari". The surreal, gothic, and distorted visuals represent the nightmarish and disorienting experience of addiction. The band members playing surreal instruments—Flea on telephone wires, Frusciante on a rope, and Smith on a clock tower—further enhances the dreamlike and distorted reality theme.

The most significant recurring phrase is the title itself, "take it on the otherside," which appears in the chorus and at the end of several verses. Its repetition emphasizes the central theme of confronting addiction and the possibility of death. The question "How long, how long will I slide?" is another crucial recurring line in the chorus, highlighting the feeling of an endless struggle and the fear of relapse. Musically, the main guitar riff serves as a recurring motif, instantly recognizable and setting the somber tone of the song from the beginning. It reappears throughout the verses, providing a sense of continuity and grounding the song's more abstract lyrical imagery. The dynamic shift between the verses and the louder chorus is also a recurring structural element that builds emotional intensity.