The "classic" lineup of Jefferson Airplane, from October 1966 to February 1970, was Marty Balin (vocals), Paul Kantner (guitar, vocals), Grace Slick (vocals), Jorma Kaukonen (lead guitar, vocals), Jack Casady (bass), and Spencer Dryden (drums). Marty Balin left the band in 1971. After 1972, Jefferson Airplane effectively split into two groups. Kaukonen and Casady moved on full time to their own band, Hot Tuna. Slick, Kantner, and the remaining members of Jefferson Airplane recruited new members and regrouped as Jefferson Starship in 1974, with Marty Balin eventually joining them. Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and was presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Spencer Dryden died on January 11, 2005.
Both Signe Anderson and Paul Kantner died on January 28, 2016.
Marty Balin died on September 27, 2018
The Other Side Of This Life
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know where I'm going next, I don't know who I'm gonna be
Yeah, and that's the other side of this life, I've been leading, yeah
Yeah, and that's the other side of this life
Well, my whole world's in an uproar, my whole world's upside down
I don't know where I'm going but I'm always bumming 'round
Yeah, and that's another side of this life I've been leading, yeah
Well, I don't know what I'm doing, half the time, I don't know where I'm going
I think I'm gonna get me a sailing boat and sail the Gulf of Mexico
Yeah, and that's another side of this life I've been leading, yeah
Yeah, that's the other side of this life
I think I'm [Incomprehensible] down to Tennessee
The ten cent life I've been leading here gonna be the death of me
Yeah, and that's the other side of this life I've been leading, yeah
Yeah, that's the other side of this life
Would you like to know a secret? Just between you and me
I don't know where I'm going next, I don't know who I'm gonna be
Yeah, and that's the other side of this life I've been leading, yeah
Yeah, and that's the other side of this life, yeah
Jefferson Airplane's "The Other Side of This Life" is a rock song about the confusion and uncertainty of life. The lyrics are reflective of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and the search for meaning and identity in a rapidly changing world. The singer of the song, the singer, is lost and unsure of his direction in life. He contemplates going to a new place or sailing away to escape his confused state. These uncertainties are wrapped in a repetitive refrain of "And that's the other side of this life I've been leading," emphasizing the singer's misplaced wanderings and the fact that he is navigating through a time in history where the norms no longer fit him.
The lyrics to "The Other Side of This Life" reflect the feelings of unrest and disorientation that many people felt in the 1960s. The song captured the zeitgeist of the counterculture movement and the desire of many to escape from the confines of the "normal" world. It is a marker of the social turbulence of the time and the need for people to find a better way of living, to push against the norms and to explore other possibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you like to know a secret? Just between you and me
I have something to confess but it's confidential, only for you to know.
I don't know where I'm going next, I don't know who I'm gonna be
I have no idea about my future, both my destination and identity are uncertain.
Yeah, and that's the other side of this life, I've been leading, yeah
My current lifestyle with unpredictability is a different perspective than my past.
Well, my whole world's in an uproar, my whole world's upside down
My life is in turmoil, everything is chaotic and disordered.
I don't know where I'm going but I'm always bumming 'round
I wander aimlessly without anywhere particular to go.
Yeah, and that's another side of this life I've been leading, yeah
The other perspective of my unpredictable existence continues.
Well, I don't know what I'm doing, half the time, I don't know where I'm going
Most of the time I'm clueless about my whereabouts and purpose, nothing seems clear.
I think I'm gonna get me a sailing boat and sail the Gulf of Mexico
As a way to find myself, I might just sail away to Mexico on a boat.
Yeah, that's the other side of this life I've been leading, yeah
That's one more outlook on this chaotic life I've been leading so far.
I think I'm [Incomprehensible] down to Tennessee
I'm considering moving to Tennessee for a change of scenery and hopefully, some serenity.
The ten cent life I've been leading here gonna be the death of me
This unfulfilling life that costs so little is slowly killing me.
Yeah, that's the other side of this life I've been leading, yeah
Once again, this is another facet of my unpredictable and unsatisfying existence.
Would you like to know a secret? Just between you and me
I still have a confidential confession to make, just for you to know.
I don't know where I'm going next, I don't know who I'm gonna be
I reiterate my uncertainty about the future, still clueless about my upcoming steps and identity.
Yeah, and that's the other side of this life I've been leading, yeah
This unpredictable lifestyle with many unknowns is yet another perspective on my identity and experience.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: FRED NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kimxkarma
LYRICS
Would you like to know a secret just between you and me
I don't know where I'm going next, I don't know who I'm gonna be
But that's the other side of this life I've been leading
That's the other side of this life.
Well my whole world's in an uproar, my whole world's upside down
I don"t know where I'm going next, but I'm always bumming around
And that's another side to this life I've been leading
And that's another side to this life
Well I don't know what doing for half the time, I don't know where I'm going
I think I'll get me a sailing boat and sail the Gulf of Mexico
But that's another side of this life I've been leading
And that's another side of this life
Well I think I'll go to Nashville down in Tennesse
The ten cent life I've been leading here gonna be the death of me
But that's the other side of this life I've been leading
And that's another side to this life
Would you like to know a secret just between you and me
I don't know where I'm going next, I don't know who I'm gonna be
But that's the other side of this life I've been leading
But that's the other side of this life.
sdushdiu
THE definitive version of this song showcasing Jack's AMAZING bass playing - that formed the backbone of the Airplane as the bass was not only a driving rhythm but the lead melodic instrument. This and 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds shine. Jack is a monster.
1761Charlie
Or this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVJdkm8qY_I
1761Charlie
Try this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdYEjTmVRn4
Risseldy Rosseldy
@A Nautical Gate I'm not a freak !Got to admit I too, love the smell /fumes/whatever the fuck, of a new guitar, in it's factory , or at least good quality ,hard case.
A Nautical Gate
@jetpowercom my late brother,said forget the Beatles , listen to this .And turned me on to Cream in December 66.Instantly noticed that Jack's playing was way above ,the also fine,McCartney's.But I was already into The Airplane , so hearing another bass player that pushed the envelope was convinced me that the instrument had much more potential ,than was being pursued.My brother had a Guild Starfire, like Cassady's, in cherry red, with a Fender Bassman .So, until I bought,years later, a SG body EBO , used to sneak his Guild,out of the case , just to SMELL it lol.it was beautiful and worth the punch, if my brother noticed even one detail changed.
jetpowercom
Casady, Bruce and Lesh showed the rest what was possible.
nthom1956
The Airplane had their on and off nights, this was definately one of their on nights! Jack's base rules and Jorma is going wild on guitar. Paul. Marty and Grace doing one of their tightest harmonies ever. Jefferson Airplane at their best! Wish I could have been at this show to see it!
Joseph Rigan
i was there in the balcony and it was resonating at the wavelength of jack's bass, abundant orgone in circulation, great show, great band....
Magnetron33
Absolute one of the most electrifying live rock albums ever recorded
Dog Brothers
I was at every concert on this album-- this particular cut puts me in the stratosphere!