Jonny Lang (born Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr. in Fargo, North Dakota, January 2… Read Full Bio ↴Jonny Lang (born Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr. in Fargo, North Dakota, January 29, 1981) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer and guitarist performing blues, gospel, soul, and rock music, his latest work being 2013's 'Fight For My Soul'. In 1995, at the age of 14, Lang released his first album, 'Smokin'. Performing both as himself and as as 'Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang', he achieved some budding success. As a result of the LP becoming a regional hit, a major-label bidding war ensued that culminated in Lang signing to A&M Records in 1996.

In 1997, at the age of 15, he released his major-label debut, 'Lie to Me'. Though it picked up mixed critical reviews, the album served as a commercial breakthrough, with single "Lie to Me" particularly receiving much airplay and earning the #12 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. That blues rock track continues to be beloved by Lang's fan-base.

Lang followed with 'Wander This World', released on October 20, 1998. Broadening his sound somewhat with influences from classic soul and modern rock, the release experienced widespread success. His singles, "Wander This World" and "Still Rainin'", did particularly well, the latter tune reaching the #8 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

Several releases and constant touring later, Lang's latest work is 'Fight For My Soul', released on September 2, 2013. The album has received critical acclaim from publications such has Allmusic, with the reviewers remarking that Lang "dives headfirst into classic soul and R&B, its elastic, funky grooves allowing the guitarist plenty of space to solo". It also hit the #20 slot on Billboard's 'Top Rock Albums' chart, selling extremely well.

Part of his success has been due to a voice that sounds somewhat like that of a 40-year-old blues veteran, containing what fans have seen as a harshness tempered by a fine falsetto that has taken prominence in his newest albums. Another part of his success is his scorching, electrifying guitar solos, which display a prodigious natural talent honed by years of practice and playing. Whatever the secret to his success, the youngster has quickly become a fixture in the blues world, drawing crowds wherever he goes.

Lang has drawn deeply from the wellspring of influences from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Luther Allison, and Albert Collins. Many blues artists have also been encouraged to pick up the guitar from his example. As he becomes more confident in his role as a musical veteran instead of a boy wonder, one can see the possibilities he has yet to share with his fans.

The Other Side Of The Fence
Jonny Lang Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The grass always look greener
On the other side of the fence, yeah, yeah
But the dog over there might be meaner
On the other side of the fence, yeah, yeah

The car in the driveway looks longer
On the other side of the street, yeah, yeah
Does anything ever go wrong there

On the other side of the street, yeah, yeah?

Stay in your own yard, play in your own yard
Be happy in your own yard
'Cause everything glitters it really ain't gold, yeah

Future always look brighter
On the other side of the tracks, yeah, yeah
But then everybody wants to go over
But they don't want to come back, no, no

They live like kings and queens
On their side of the town, yeah, yeah
But they're gonna have to make room for me and you
On their side of the town, sho' 'nough

To be jealous is a cold thang
With the ice water in your viens
All it brings is misery and pain
Everything glitters it really ain't gold, no
It's not what it looks like, it really ain't gold

No!

'Stead of worry 'bout what you're lacking
Gotta make the most of what you got
'Stead of keepin' up with Mr. Jones
Gotta look out for your own

Stay in your own yard, play in your own yard
Be happy in your own yard, yeah, your own yard

Stay in your own yard, play in your own yard

Happy in your own yard
Everything glitters it really ain't gold

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Other Side Of The Fence" by Jonny Lang highlights the theme of discontentment and envy by showing how things appear prettier or better from across the fence, but in reality, they are not. The song advises people to be content and make the most of what they have instead of chasing after what they think is better. It also talks about how jealousy can only bring pain and unnecessary suffering.

The first verse of the song compares the illusion of greener grass on the other side of the fence to the false perception that things are always better somewhere else. The second verse is about how appearances can be deceptive, and the things that we see as more desirable may not be everything we imagine them to be. The chorus advises people to focus on their own life, be happy with what they have, and not be obsessed with what others have.

Line by Line Meaning

The grass always look greener
Things always seem better on the other side

On the other side of the fence, yeah, yeah
In a place or situation that is not your own

But the dog over there might be meaner
What seems good might have its own downsides

The car in the driveway looks longer
Objects seem bigger and better from a distance

On the other side of the street, yeah, yeah
In a place or situation that is not your own

Does anything ever go wrong there
Appearances can be deceiving

Stay in your own yard, play in your own yard
Be content with what you have

Be happy in your own yard
Find joy in your own life

'Cause everything glitters it really ain't gold, yeah
What looks good might not be as good as it seems

The future always looks brighter
The grass is always greener on the other side

On the other side of the tracks, yeah, yeah
In a place that seems better than your own

But then everybody wants to go over
Everyone wants something better

But they don't want to come back, no, no
The grass isn't always greener on the other side

They live like kings and queens
People in better situations are seen as royalty

On their side of the town, yeah, yeah
In a place or situation that is not your own

But they're gonna have to make room for me and you
We deserve to have good things too

On their side of the town, sho' 'nough
In a place or situation that is not your own

To be jealous is a cold thang
Jealousy is a negative emotion

With the ice water in your viens
Jealousy can make you feel cold and empty

All it brings is misery and pain
Jealousy only leads to negative feelings

Everything glitters it really ain't gold, no
Appearances can be deceiving

It's not what it looks like, it really ain't gold
Things might not be as good as they seem

'Stead of worry 'bout what you're lacking
Stop worrying about what you don't have

Gotta make the most of what you got
Make the best of your situation

'Stead of keepin' up with Mr. Jones
Stop trying to keep up with others

Gotta look out for your own
Take care of yourself

Stay in your own yard, play in your own yard
Be content with what you have

Happy in your own yard
Find joy in your own life

Everything glitters it really ain't gold
Appearances can be deceiving

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHANNON SANDERS, JONNY LANG, DREW RAMSEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS