Shine On, Dexter Freebish’s first full length album in over six years, explores new sonic territory and builds on the hook laden songs of previous releases. While creating Shine On, the band was inspired by 808 drum machines, beat up synths, and their I-phone apps. Produced by The Singularity, the album ranges from the dance, heavy beat influenced “Wide Awake,” to the rock anthem “Do You Want To.” They also collaborated with Greg Wells (Katy Perry, One Republic) on the song “Save the Last Dance.”
Dexter Freebish acknowledges the power of predestination and how it had a hand in them becoming a band. “I was just looking in the Austin Chronicle and had never been in a band or called an ad,” recalls lead singer Kyle. “At the time I wasn’t really a singer except for in school chorus, though I kept notebooks of lyrics. I saw an ad that read: “Singer Wanted. Influences Bono and Sting,” and I said, “what the heck and called, and because of reading the ad I met Chris Lowe (bass, keyboards, programming) and Scott Romig (guitars, programming) and Rob Schilz (drums.) It was the first ad I ever called and it’s still the only band I’ve ever been in.”
Their determination led to “Leaving Town,” Dexter Freebish’s 1999 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Song of the Year (picked from 27,000 entries), which led to a record deal with Capitol Records for the band’s 2000 full-length debut A Life of Saturdays. After exuberantly received radio play (for “Leaving Town” and “My Madonna”), heavy video play on VH1 and MTV2, and enthusiastic tours both domestic and abroad, Dexter Freebish and Capitol Records experienced a regime change that would not allow the band to obtain the attention they deserved and both parties decided to part ways.
This set-back proved to strengthen Dexter Freebish’s resolve, and the believed this was fate’s way of telling them to independently release their 2004 sophomore album, Tripped Into Divine. Pressed by producer Matthew Wilder (No Doubt) Tripped Into Divine bridged the gap between the wide-eyed wonder of unbridled youth and the contemplative fortitude of experience. The single on this album was the fan-favorite, “Prozak,” which went on to win Rock Song of the Year in 2004 in the John Lennon Songwriting contest.
After touring the world to promote Tripped Into Divine, the band decided to go on permanent hiatus in 2005. “We all needed to do other things for a while,” says Lowe. He adds, “We never officially broke up and have all remained friends. But I can honestly say, there was never any hint that we would ever put out another Dexter Freebish record. We were pretty much done.”
In early 2008, the band decided, on a whim, to play a couple of shows throughout Texas. “It just felt right playing together again,” says Romig. “Soon after that, we started writing and recording some new songs.” One of those new songs captured the attention of Electronic Arts, garnering the band’s song “The Other Side,” a spot in the Sims 3 video game.
Steve Schnur, President of Electronic Art’s Publishing Company, Artwerk, comments, “I was in awe of the talent that Dexter Freebish exemplified when I first signed them to a record deal and these feelings have not changed. Ten years ago, I signed them to Capitol Records because of their incredible songwriting and performance abilities and ten years later I’m still working with them for the exact same reasons. The songs that they write are timeless.”
Lowe comments, “It’s crazy to look back to the days when we were on Capitol and how much money the labels would waste to record albums. With modern technology, it is so much easier and cheaper to record an album these days.” Romig adds, “We laugh because recording and mixing this new album cost less than 1/2% of our budget for the albums we made on Capitol. This is a great thing for independent artists and brings power to the people.”
The Other Side
Dexter Freebish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I get a spotlight for some peace of mind
A brand new reflection, another direction
To take my life to the other side
She could melt the sun, she could freeze the moon
If she only wanted to, if she needed to
The world is inviting, yet so paralyzing
She could give me life, yeah
I wanna see you on the other side
I wanna see you on the other side
I wanna see you on the other side
I wanna see you on the other side
I lost myself inside your great divide
A sticky situation I don't seem to mind
A mental uprising is so compromising
I find myself slipping back in time
I'm trapped within your world where all the color swirl
In this universe where you are my girl
Am I just dreaming
Cause everything seems just like paradise?
I wanna see you on the other side
I wanna see you on the other side
I wanna see you on the other side
(Your presence surrounds me
And keeps me from drowning inside the black)
I wanna see you on the other side
(Daylight releases but the brightness
Just keeps me from coming back)
You're scared that I'll forget you, is it true?
Maybe you'll believe me when it's through
Can I prove my feelings for you?
We've got to know straight on through
I wanna see you on the other side
(I wanna see you on the other side)
I wanna see you on the other side
(I wanna see you on the other side)
I wanna see you on the other side
(I wanna see you, yeah, can I see you on the other side?)
I wanna see you on the other side
I wanna see you on the other side
(Your presence surrounds me
And keeps me from drowning inside the black)
I wanna know, can I see you?
(Daylight releases but the brightness
Just keeps me from coming back)
I wanna see you on the other side
Other side
(Your presence surrounds me
And keeps me from drowning inside the black)
I wanna see you on the other side
(Daylight releases but the brightness
Just keeps me from coming back)
I wanna see you on the other side
I wanna see you, I wanna see you
I wanna see you on the other side, on the other side
Can I see...
The lyrics to Dexter Freebish's song "The Other Side" describe a desire to escape from life's struggles and chaos to find peace and happiness "on the other side." The singer reflects on the darker aspects of life and the difficulties he faces, but finds comfort in the prospect of moving forward and experiencing new opportunities. He describes a woman who possesses the power to change everything, but questions whether it's real or just a dream.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I wanna see you on the other side," seemingly directed at the woman mentioned earlier in the song. The singer expresses a fear that he may forget her, but also a determination to prove his feelings and find a way to be together. He acknowledges that it won't be easy, but they must keep moving forward to discover what is waiting for them on "the other side."
Overall, the song speaks to the human desire for change and a better life, and the hope and determination required to make it a reality. The lyrics also touch on the power of relationships and the challenges that can arise when trying to navigate through life's obstacles together.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems a little darker on the other side
The unknown future appears daunting and uncertain
And I get a spotlight for some peace of mind
I'm seeking an opportunity to find clarity and direction
A brand new reflection, another direction
An opportunity to start anew and explore uncharted paths
To take my life to the other side
To embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation
She could melt the sun, she could freeze the moon
Her power to affect everything around her is immense
If she only wanted to, if she needed to
She has the ability to control everything but chooses not to
The world is inviting, yet so paralyzing
The world is full of possibilities, but the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty is stifling
She could give me life, yeah
She has the ability to transform and enhance my life
I wanna see you on the other side
I long to join you in a journey of growth and exploration
I lost myself inside your great divide
I became lost and uncertain in the space between us
A sticky situation I don't seem to mind
Despite the confusion, I'm willing to accept the current circumstance
A mental uprising is so compromising
The emotional conflict is taking a toll on my mental state
I find myself slipping back in time
I'm stuck dwelling on past circumstances and unable to move forward
I'm trapped within your world where all the color swirl
My perception of reality is distorted by my feelings for you
In this universe where you are my girl
You hold a significant place in my world and my heart
Am I just dreaming
I'm questioning the possibility of this reality being a figment of my imagination
Cause everything seems just like paradise?
Despite the uncertainty, everything feels perfect when I'm with you
You're scared that I'll forget you, is it true?
You fear that I'll move on and forget about you
Maybe you'll believe me when it's through
Perhaps in the end, you'll trust that my feelings for you are genuine
Can I prove my feelings for you?
I'm willing to do what it takes to demonstrate the depth of my love
We've got to know straight on through
We need to be honest and transparent with each other
Other side
The unknown future that lies ahead
Writer(s): David Gray Copyright: Chrysalis Music Ltd.
Contributed by Owen C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Iceah Peter Ormillada
the minute i heard this from the sims 3, i fell in love with it. 7 years later, still love it!
PrinceBonnie
OMG SAMMME
Crislaine Dutra
Andurey Wooz me either ❤
Niekas Visagalis
SAME
Franciele Frech
same felling!
BLASKOVITS
13 years later now dude
stimuncy
Glad im not the only one who doesnt know how this song just magically appeared on their playlist and fell in love with it!!
Mountain MGTOW
Dexter Freebish is an amazing band that write fantastic music. Their videos are tragically under-funded and not what they could be. I've been a fan since their first album back in 1999.
Azura
THE SIMS 3 BEST SONG!
Kasane 11
Es perfecta!!!!