Lil Rob debuted as an artist in 1992, prior to the release of his album Twelve Eighteen Part 1, he regularly moved as many as 100,000 units for each independent CD he recorded. The number Twelve Eighteen, which is also tattooed on Lil Rob's arms, represent the numeric value of the letters L and R, respectively, which are Lil Rob's initials. The number was used by Lil Rob during his days as a graffiti tagger.
In 1994 at the age of 18, Lil Rob's chin was shattered when he was shot in the jaw. Over time Lil Rob renounced his gang affiliations and called for "Brown Pride" and unity between all Chicanos.
Lil Rob has found commercial success with the release of Twelve Eighteen Part 1, which had been in regular rotation on radio stations outside of the West Coast thanks to the singles "Summer Nights", and "Bring Out The Freak In You".
other side
Lil Rob Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And love can be right or wrong
Let's take a trip to the other side
The other side, the other side
The other side
Everybody talking Lil' Rob this, and Lil' Rob that
Well there's a man behind these shades, babydoll you better believe that
When I see something bad I wanna make things all fine
But that's all in time
and there might be some times where I need some time to get away
That's when I spread my wings and I fly away
Far away from all this mess, from all this stress
Hey out there keeper of the dreams, bring me happiness
God bless all those who died in the war of the streets
God bless mis suelas, I love you, rest in peace
Feel the breeze, see the breeze ruffling through the trees
Falling leaves, memories stick with me like felonies
I'm deep like my sleep, if I'm sleeping please don't wake me
Cuz I'd rather dream my life away and let the angels take me
Hey hey have you ever tried, ever tried, ever tried
Really reaching out for the other side, other side
(Chorus x2)
Hey have you ever tried (have you ever tried)
Really reaching out for the other side, other side, other side
Hey have you ever tried (for the other side)
Really reaching out for the other side
Hey look the grass is greener on there other side
I'll never know until I go, things aren't always what they appear to be
You can't imagine how things appear to me
Unexplainable, just like a mystery
Mind-boggling thoughts of foolishness homeboy that's what this is to me
Is anybody listening? Is anybody there?
Hello? Hello? Does anybody care?
Who am I kinding, it's alright, maybe someday I'll find my way
But no matter what I do, someone always got something bad to say
It's ok, it could be worse, you never get hurt, but leave if you want
Don't get yourself get caught in that spot where you can't leave if you want
Have you ever been shot? It doesn't hurt, but the after-pain is excrutiating
They all say I was at the point where I was hallucinating
Ten things I've never seen, Crazy Life at eighteen
Gang violence going on and Lil' Rob was participating
That's why I trip on these fools saying I've never paid dues
Hey have you ever tried really reaching out for the other side
(Chorus x2)
The other side's in hand's reach, how come I can't reach
Maybe I'm not supposed to be there, Lil' Rob on the beware
Never will I be scared, I cross my heart and hope to die
Stick a thousand needles in my Goddamn eye
Fools like me should multiply
Fools like them all should die
Take that back that wasn't right, rather see them fight for life
Well he's not a fighter so I guess that he's a gonner
Watch him cry like a toddler making big puddles like water
I'm on the boundaries of good and evil
People aren't good to me so, why in the fuck should I be good to people?
The other side, where you put your pot aside
I'm on the outside looking on the inside
The flip side, the opposite side
Where you don't have a fit for any little shit side
I've got good intentions, please don't let me be misunderstood
Hey have you ever tried really reaching out for the other side
(Chorus x2)
Life can be short or long
And love can be right or wrong
Life can be short or long
And love can be right or wrong
In the song "Other Side" by Lil Rob, the artist takes the listener on a journey through his thoughts on life and love. He explains that life can be either long or short, and love can be either right or wrong. He invites the listener to join him on a trip to the other side, which is portrayed as a place that is both mysterious and fascinating. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "have you ever tried really reaching out for the other side," encouraging the listener to explore new things and take risks.
Lil Rob also reflects on his personal experiences and struggles. He is aware that many people have opinions about him and his music, but he asserts that he is his own person and is capable of making his own decisions. He admits that there are times when he needs to take a break from the stresses of life and spread his wings to fly away. He shares his sorrow for those who have died in the "war of the streets," including his own friends.
The song's lyrics also touch on themes of social inequality and violence. Lil Rob acknowledges that things are not always what they seem and encourages the listener to open their mind to new perspectives. He reflects on his own participation in gang violence as a teenager and suggests that he has paid his dues. He questions why people do not treat him well and wonders why he should be good to them. Despite these darker themes, the song ends on a hopeful note, with Lil Rob expressing good intentions and a desire to be understood.
Line by Line Meaning
Life can be short or long
Life is unpredictable and can be brief or lengthy.
And love can be right or wrong
Love can be rewarding or destructive.
Let's take a trip to the other side
Let's explore new possibilities.
The other side, the other side
The alternative or opposite point of view.
The other side
What's on the other side of the fence, beyond what we can see, or a new Horizon.
Everybody talking Lil' Rob this, and Lil' Rob that
People are always gossiping, about Lil' Rob or anyone else in the public eye.
Well there's a man behind these shades, babydoll you better believe that
Behind Lil' Rob's persona is a real person, and the listener should understand that.
A man who can make up his own mind
Lil' Rob thinks for himself, he decides things as an individual, and doesn't just follow the crowds.
When I see something bad I wanna make things all fine
Lil' Rob believes in fixing problems instead of creating them.
But that's all in time
Patience can be needed to solve issues.
And there might be some times where I need some time to get away
Lil' Rob needs to clear his head at times and take a break from stress.
That's when I spread my wings and I fly away
Lil' Rob metaphorically flies from his problems.
Far away from all this mess, from all this stress
Lil' Rob wants to distance himself from negativity and issues causing stress.
God bless all those who died in the war of the streets
Lil' Rob pays respect to those who have died having lived a life of gang violence.
God bless mis suelas, I love you, rest in peace
Lil' Rob remembers his loved ones who have passed away.
Feel the breeze, see the breeze ruffling through the trees
Lil' Rob enjoys the simple things in life like the wind blowing through trees.
Falling leaves, memories stick with me like felonies
Lil' Rob carries memories with him which can be as unforgettable as a felony.
I'm deep like my sleep, if I'm sleeping please don't wake me
Lil' Rob takes his sleep seriously, as it is essential to how he functions.
Cuz I'd rather dream my life away and let the angels take me
Lil' Rob refers to the end of his life and feels more comfortable not being in control of it.
Hey hey have you ever tried, ever tried, ever tried
Lil' Rob asks if the listener has ventured out of their comfort zone.
Really reaching out for the other side, other side
Lil' Rob suggests taking a risk and striving for something new.
Hey have you ever tried (have you ever tried)
Repeating his question to emphasize it.
Hey look the grass is greener on there other side
Indicating that other opportunities can be better than the current situation.
I'll never know until I go, things aren't always what they appear to be
Lil' Rob recognizes the need to try new things because things are not always what they seem.
You can't imagine how things appear to me
Lil' Rob sees things from a different point of view, which others may not be able to understand.
Mind-boggling thoughts of foolishness homeboy that's what this is to me
Lil' Rob feels frustrated by others' unwise actions.
Is anybody listening? Is anybody there?
Lil' Rob wonders if anyone is paying attention to him or his message.
Hello? Hello? Does anybody care?
Lil' Rob repeats his question to underscore a feeling of being ignored.
Who am I kinding, it's alright, maybe someday I'll find my way
Lil' Rob acknowledges that things may not go as planned, but he remains hopeful for the future.
But no matter what I do, someone always got something bad to say
Lil' Rob is aware of negative criticism and how it can affect him.
It's ok, it could be worse, you never get hurt, but leave if you want
Lil' Rob accepts that things could potentially be worse but allows people to leave if they feel the situation he is in is not ideal.
Don't get yourself get caught in that spot where you can't leave if you want
Lil' Rob advises against situations that could trap people in them.
Have you ever been shot? It doesn't hurt, but the after-pain is excrutiating
Lil' Rob mentions the trauma caused by violence even beyond the physical wound itself.
They all say I was at the point where I was hallucinating
Lil' Rob refers to a time in his past where people thought he was delusional.
Ten things I've never seen, Crazy Life at eighteen
Lil' Rob recalls an eventful time in his past.
Gang violence going on and Lil' Rob was participating
Lil' Rob was caught up in gang violence at one point in his life.
That's why I trip on these fools saying I've never paid dues
Lil' Rob feels that he has earned respect for having experienced life's struggles and gained valuable knowledge from them.
The other side's in hand's reach, how come I can't reach
Lil' Rob recognizes that the other side is within reach, but he has difficulty getting there.
Maybe I'm not supposed to be there, Lil' Rob on the beware
Lil' Rob considers that perhaps he is not destined for the other side.
Never will I be scared, I cross my heart and hope to die
Lil' Rob vows to be brave in the face of adversity.
Stick a thousand needles in my Goddamn eye
Lil' Rob makes an exaggerated promise to appear credible.
Fools like me should multiply
Lil' Rob hints at his own foolishness, but adds that there is strength in numbers.
Fools like them all should die
Lil' Rob changes his tone suddenly and considers extreme measures which are inappropriate.
Take that back that wasn't right, rather see them fight for life
Lil' Rob corrects himself and would rather see people fight to survive than simply die.
Well he's not a fighter so I guess that he's a gonner
Lil' Rob references a line from the movie Scarface, but uses it to refer to someone who can't fight back.
Watch him cry like a toddler making big puddles like water
Lil' Rob describes someone who is defenseless as overly emotional and vulnerable.
I'm on the boundaries of good and evil
Lil' Rob sees himself as being caught in the middle of what's right and wrong.
People aren't good to me so, why in the fuck should I be good to people?
Lil' Rob sees himself as a victim of mistreatment and thinks it is reasonable to respond negatively.
The other side, where you put your pot aside
Lil' Rob sees the other side as a distant and somewhat foreign place where the norms of the outside world don't apply.
I'm on the outside looking on the inside
Lil' Rob feels like an outsider looking in on people on the other side of life.
The flip side, the opposite side
Lil' Rob refers to an alternative or antithetical position.
Where you don't have a fit for any little shit side
Lil' Rob thinks the other side is more judgement-free and less focused on trivial things than on his side of town.
I've got good intentions, please don't let me be misunderstood
Lil' Rob tries to make his motives clear so that others don't misinterpret them.
Hey have you ever tried really reaching out for the other side
Lil' Rob reiterates his question, emphasizing the invitation to explore new horizons.
Life can be short or long
The chorus restates the opening line about life's unpredictability.
And love can be right or wrong
The chorus also restates the second line, reminding the listener about the dual nature of love.
Contributed by Alex Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.