Michael W. Smith (born October 7th, 1957) is an American singer, author, so… Read Full Bio ↴Michael W. Smith (born October 7th, 1957) is an American singer, author, songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist.

Since his first solo project in 1983, Smith has become one of the most popular artists in the contemporary Christian music world, while also finding considerable success in the mainstream. Smith has frequently topped both Christian radio and Billboard charts and is often listed as one of the top keyboardists in rock and roll in Keyboard Magazine. Smith has sold more than 13 million records and has had 29 #1 hit songs. By 2005, he had garnered 14 gold records and 5 platinum records, 40 Dove Awards, an American Music Award and 3 Grammy Awards. He was also named one of People magazine's most beautiful people.

The Glory Songfacts reports that recorded with a 65-piece London orchestra, Glory is Christian musician Michael W. Smith’s seventeenth studio album and his second instrumental record. It was released November 22, 2011. His first instrumental album was Freedom, which was released November 21, 2000.

On The Other Side
Michael W. Smith Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm not how I used to be
When we hung around
Back when it was you and me
Tearin' up this town
We used to live our lives running from change
Now we don't see eye to eye
I am not the same

[Chorus]
And you wonder where I've gone
Well, I've found where I belong
I'm on the other side
True, I used to walk your shore
But I'm not there anymore
I'm on the other side

Years fade like the setting sun
Turning us loose
They give us many ways to run
And many roads to choose
Well, I ran into saving grace
Headed for nowhere
Love showed me another place
And brought me there

[Chorus]

Why is it hard for you to see
All the changes made in me
Here on the other side
Oh, I could help you understand

And you could join me where I am
I am on the other side

Overall Meaning

Michael W. Smith's "On The Other Side" deals with the concept of change, growth, and finding one's true purpose in life. The song talks about how the singer is no longer the person he used to be when he and his friend used to hang out and tear up the town. They used to run from change and hold onto the status quo together. Now, the singer doesn't see eye to eye with his friend anymore and has found a new way to live his life.

The chorus reinforces this idea of the singer finding his true place in life: "And you wonder where I've gone/Well, I've found where I belong/I'm on the other side/True, I used to walk your shore/But I'm not there anymore/I'm on the other side." The song also talks about the passage of time, how things change and how we are given choices to make. The singer has found his way to the other side, to a new place where he feels he truly belongs.

The singer also shows sympathy towards his old friend, acknowledging that it might be hard for him to understand or see the changes the singer has gone through. However, he also extends an invitation to his friend to join him on the other side if he ever wants to.

Overall, "On The Other Side" is a powerful message about growth, change, and finding one's true self in life.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm not how I used to be
I have changed from who I was before

When we hung around
When we used to spend time together

Back when it was you and me
When we were close friends

Tearin' up this town
Making the most of our time in this place

We used to live our lives running from change
We were afraid of change and preferred to stick to what we knew

Now we don't see eye to eye
Our perspectives and beliefs have become different

I am not the same
I have changed and grown as a person

And you wonder where I've gone
You are curious about my whereabouts

Well, I've found where I belong
I have found my purpose or place in life

I'm on the other side
I am in a different space or phase of life

True, I used to walk your shore
I used to be in the same situation as you or have similar experiences

But I'm not there anymore
I have moved on from that place or experience

Years fade like the setting sun
Time passes by quickly

Turning us loose
Allowing us to explore and grow

They give us many ways to run
There are many options and paths available to us

And many roads to choose
We have the freedom to make choices

Well, I ran into saving grace
I found help or support in a difficult situation

Headed for nowhere
I was lost or directionless

Love showed me another place
I discovered a new perspective or way of living through love

And brought me there
Love helped me reach this new place or mindset

[Chorus]
Refrain/repeated section

Why is it hard for you to see
Why is it difficult for you to understand or accept

All the changes made in me
The ways in which I have grown and transformed

Here on the other side
In this different phase or space of life

Oh, I could help you understand
I am willing to explain and clarify

And you could join me where I am
You could also experience this new place or perspective

I am on the other side
I am in a different phase or mindset than before

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MABON LEWIS HODGES, WILLIE MITCHELL, WILLIE LAWRENCE MITCHELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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