This Side of Paradise
Bryan Adams Lyrics


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'M ridin' in the back seat, nine years old
Starin' out the window countin' the highway poles
And then I get to thinkin' that it don't seem real
I'm flyin' through the universe in a '69 Oldsmobile

I wanna know what they're not tellin'
And I don't wanna hear no lies
I just want something to believe in
Ah, it's a lonely, lonely road
I'm on this side of paradise

I'm ridin' in the back seat, black Limousine
Starin' out the window at a funeral scene
And then I get to thinkin' and it don't seem right
I'm sittin' here safe and sound
And someone I love is gone tonight

I wanna know what they're not tellin'
And I don't wanna hear no lies
I just want something to believe in
Ah, it's a lonely, lonely road
We're on this side of paradise

There ain't no crystal ball, there ain't no Santa Claus
There ain't no fairy tales, there ain't no streets of gold
There ain't no chosen few, ya it's just me and you
That's all we got yeah, that's all we got to hold on to
Yeah this side of paradise

I remember bein' a little boy in the backseat, nine years old
Always askin' questions, never did what I was told
And then I get to thinkin' like I always do
We wander 'round in the darkness but every now and then
A little light shines through

I want to know what they're not telling
I don't wanna hear no lies
I just want something to believe in
Ah, it's a lonely, lonely road




We're on this side of paradise, oh yeah
This side of paradise, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The song This Side of Paradise by Bryan Adams is a reflection of the human desire to know more than what meets the eye. The first verse of the song paints the picture of a young boy, riding in the backseat of a car, staring out the window at the highway poles. As he gazes out, he contemplates the vastness of the universe and considers the possibility that reality might not be as it seems. The second verse finds the same protagonist staring out the window of a black limousine at a funeral procession, lamenting the loss of someone they love. Once again, they are left grappling with the question of what lies beyond the tangible world in front of them.


This Side of Paradise is a tender exploration of the loneliness that comes with being human. At its core, the song expresses the human longing to find meaning in a world that can often feel cold and indifferent. The singer of the song is searching for something to believe in, but all they find is an empty, lonely road. The loneliness and isolation they feel is palpable, and that makes the song a powerful and relatable testament to the human experience.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm ridin' in the back seat, nine years old
As a child, I was seated in the back seat of a car at the age of nine.


Starin' out the window countin' the highway poles
I was looking out the window and counting the distance markers along the highway.


And then I get to thinkin' that it don't seem real
Then I start to think that the world around me doesn't feel tangible or concrete.


I'm flyin' through the universe in a '69 Oldsmobile
In my imagination, I'm soaring through space while physically traveling in an Oldsmobile vehicle.


I wanna know what they're not tellin'
I desire full transparency and honesty from everyone around me.


And I don't wanna hear no lies
I am not willing to accept any falsehoods or deception.


I just want something to believe in
I am searching for something to have faith in and trust.


Ah, it's a lonely, lonely road
This search for truth and meaning can be a very isolating and lonely journey.


I'm on this side of paradise
I am living and searching for answers in a place and time that is far from perfect or ideal.


I'm ridin' in the back seat, black Limousine
Now as an adult, I'm riding in the back of a black limousine.


Starin' out the window at a funeral scene
I'm observing a scene of mourning outside the window of the car.


And then I get to thinkin' and it don't seem right
Once again, I begin to examine the world around me and determine that what is happening is not fair or just.


I'm sittin' here safe and sound
I realize that I am physically unharmed and secure in that moment.


And someone I love is gone tonight
Unfortunately, the sight outside the window is a stark reminder that someone I cared about has passed away.


We're on this side of paradise
Collectively, as human beings, we are all living in an imperfect and flawed world.


There ain't no crystal ball, there ain't no Santa Claus
In this reality, there are no magical or mythical beings that intervene to make everything perfect.


There ain't no fairy tales, there ain't no streets of gold
There are no made-up stories or idealized destinations of perfection.


There ain't no chosen few, ya it's just me and you
No one is simply chosen or destined for greatness; it is up to each of us to determine our own paths in life.


That's all we got yeah, that's all we got to hold on to
The only thing we have to hold onto is each other and our own individual desires for the future.


Yeah this side of paradise
Once again, reminding us that we are all living in an imperfect world.


I remember bein' a little boy in the backseat, nine years old
Through reflection, I recall a memory from my childhood in the back of a car.


Always askin' questions, never did what I was told
Even then, I was quite curious and rebellious, always challenging authority and the status quo.


And then I get to thinkin' like I always do
Once again, I fall into deep thought and contemplation about my current situation.


We wander 'round in the darkness but every now and then
Despite the confusion and uncertainty in life, there are still moments of clarity and illumination.


A little light shines through
A glimmer of hope or understanding breaks through the darkness and confusion.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bryan Adams, Gretchen Peters

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ArabDesertEagle

This Side Of Paradise"

I'm ridin' in the back seat - nine years old
Starin' out the window countin' the highway poles
And then I get to thinkin' - that it don't seem real
I'm flyin' through the universe in a '69 oldsmobile
And I wanna know what they're not tellin'
And I don't wanna hear no lies
I just want something to believe in
Ah - it's a lonely lonely road I'm on
This side of paradise
I'm ridin' in the back seat - black limousine
Starin' out the window at a funeral scene
And then I get to thinkin' - and it don't seem right
I'm sittin' here safe and sound and someone I love is gone tonight
I wanna know what they're not tellin'
And I don't wanna hear no lies
I just want something to believe in
Ah - it's a lonely, lonely road we're on
This side of paradise
There ain't no crystal ball - there ain't no santa claus
There ain't no fairy tales
There ain't no streets of gold
There ain't no chosen few - ya it's just me and you
And that's all we got ya...that's all we got to hold on to
Ya this side of paradise
I remember bein' a little boy in the backseat - nine years old
Always askin' questions - never did what I was told
And then I get to thinkin' like I always do
We wander 'round in the darkness but every now and then
A little light shines through
I want to know what they're not telling
I don't wanna hear no lies
I just want something to believe in
Ah - it's a lonely lonely road we're on
This side of paradise



All comments from YouTube:

@adeanerodrigues910

Linda canção, pois sua letra é verdadeira.❤❤💥🇧🇷

@adeanerodrigues910

Perfeito, muito bom!❤💥🇧🇷

@MrMichaelpeps

No Matter , however gloomy, times may get, but this song makes it all good again.Amazing! This song in the morning is enough to make my day :) Bryan Adams at his very best:)

@phlhoran12396

On repeat. 👍❤️

@maureenesa3673

This song will always remain a part of me Bryan’s music is always so true

@patriciaappleyard3764

The lyrics to this song are so clever and real. We all go through life wondering about what's going on in our world. Bryan has been in his fair share of black limousines no doubt in his life. ❤

@josemelo8815

Não me canso de ouvir suas músicas!!!

@ledamoraes2841

Bryan Adams é maravilhoso...

@GourabRockzz

Bryan Adams will always remain the best of the best singers of all times....

@hamzaesbaga8931

ش

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