The BoDeans worked with T-Bone Burnett on their debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, which appeared in 1986 to warm reviews. They recruited another big-name producer, Talking Head Jerry Harrison, to helm 1987's Outside Looking In, which found the band reduced to a trio after the departure of Hoffman. Outside Looking In broke into the Billboard Top 100, and the BoDeans grew their audience by touring alongside U2, appearing on Robbie Robertson's self-titled solo album, and receiving the honor of Best New Band by Rolling Stone magazine. By the time they released their third album, Home, in 1989, keyboardist Michael Ramos and drummer Danny Gayol had joined. This lineup stayed intact for the release of 1991's Black and White, but the BoDeans went without a drummer once again on their next recording, Go Slow Down.
Following the release of a double-disc live album, Joe Dirt Car, the band returned in 1996 with Blend. Around the time of Blend's release, "Closer to Free" -- a song that had originally appeared on 1993's Go Slow Down -- became a hit, due in large part to its exposure as the theme song for the TV show Party of Five. "Closer to Free" eventually cracked the Top 20, becoming the most successful single of the band's career. The BoDeans were arguably more popular than ever, but the band took a break during the late '90s, with both frontmen devoting time to their solo careers.
By 2004, the band had reconvened and signed with a new label, Zoe. Resolution was released that year, followed in 2005 by Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. Griffin left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Eric Holden, who appeared on 2008's Still. By this point, the bandmates had found a new home on 429 Records, and they remained with that label for the release of Mr. Sad Clown in 2010 and Indigo Dreams in 2011. That same year saw the departure of Llanas, citing "differences of opinion." The band's 11th studio album, American Made, arrived the following year on the band's own Free & Alive label, and was the first with Neumann as sole leader. The BoDeans toured extensively in support of the release, and in 2014 began work on their next studio project. Released in 2015, I Cant Stop featured a new BoDeans lineup anchored by Neumann, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Sam Hawksley, bassist Eric Holden, and drummer Kenny Aronoff, the latter a well-respected journeyman musician who had played on several BoDeans recording sessions in the '90s. In June 2016, the BoDeans brought out a single, "My Hometown," with the release benefiting the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The single was a preview of the group's next album; titled Thirteen, the 11-song set was released in April 2017.
The Other Side
BoDeans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know exactly what to do
I counted the pills six times
There's seventy-two
They look so pretty
They look so nice
Gonna take a ride
To the other side
And write a little note
To tell everybody
That I didn't give up hope
I'm just really anxious
To get on with my life
Gonna take a ride
To the other side
I don't think death
Is an end to all things
We can only hope
For the peace that it may bring
And some folks will say
That I didn't have the right
Gonna take a ride
To the other side
The BoDeans' sad and haunting song, "The Other Side," finds the singer contemplating suicide as a means of escaping his problems. He has planned his suicide down to the last detail, counting out the pills he will use to end his life, and writing a note to let others know that he did not give up hope but was just anxious to get on with his life. The singer is not convinced that death is the end of all things and that peace can be found on the other side. He is aware that some will think he did not have the right to end his life, but he is undeterred and determined to take a ride to the other side.
Musically, "The Other Side" is dominated by restrained acoustic guitars, gentle percussion, and plaintive vocals, with a subtle but effective string section added in the chorus. The overall effect is one of whispering sadness, an intimate and delicate portrayal of a human condition that is all too common.
The song's lyrics strike a chord with those who have experienced depression, isolation or loneliness, or who have contemplated taking their life as the only way out of their problems. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of reaching out to those in need, of seeking help and support, of talking to someone who understands, and of finding hope and meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I got it all planned
The singer has a clear plan in mind.
I know exactly what to do
The singer is confident in their plan.
I counted the pills six times
The singer has thoroughly planned and prepared for their action.
There's seventy-two
The artist has gathered a specific amount of pills for their plan.
They look so pretty
The artist is attracted to the appearance of the pills.
They look so nice
The singer is drawn to the pills' appearance, possibly because they offer a sense of comfort.
Gonna take a ride
The singer is strongly committed to their plan.
To the other side
The artist implies that the pills will take them to some kind of beyond or other dimension.
I guess that I should sit down
The artist acknowledges the importance of leaving a note before they execute their plan.
And write a little note
The artist will leave behind a written message to those they leave behind.
To tell everybody
The singer wants everyone to know their intent was not to give up hope.
That I didn't give up hope
The artist wants to send a message of hope to those they leave behind.
I'm just really anxious
The singer feels a sense of urgency about carrying out their plan.
To get on with my life
The singer is looking for an escape from the difficulties of their current life.
I don't think death
The singer is contemplating the idea of death.
Is an end to all things
The artist does not believe that death is the definitive end of existence.
We can only hope
The artist acknowledges the uncertainty of what happens after death.
For the peace that it may bring
The singer is looking for a sense of calm or resolution through death.
And some folks will say
The singer is anticipating criticism or judgment from others.
That I didn't have the right
The artist is concerned people will say they did not have the right to give up their life.
Gonna take a ride
Reiterating the artist's strong commitment to their plan.
To the other side
Again, implying that the pills will lead the artist to a different dimension or state of being.
Contributed by Taylor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.