Ocasek released his first solo album in 1982. Beatitude is a somewhat more experimental variation of The Cars' New Wave rock sound. A more synthesizer-heavy follow up, This Side Of Paradise, was released in 1986. A minor hit, "Emotion In Motion" accompanied the album.
The Cars split in 1987, and Ocasek disappeared from the public eye for several years, resurfacing in 1990 with Fireball Zone. One track, "Rockaway", enjoyed a brief stay on the charts, but his solo albums have seen disappointing sales, especially compared to his success with the Cars. He subsequently released other solo works throughout the decade, including 1993's Quick Change World, 1996's Getchertikitz (a collaboration with Suicide's Alan Vega), and 1997's Billy Corgan-produced Troublizing (which Ocasek supported with a very brief tour, his first since leaving the Cars). In 2005, Ocasek released another album, Nexterday, to little fanfare but positive reviews.
In 2010, Ocasek reunited with the surviving original members of The Cars to record their first album in 24 years, titled Move Like This, which came out on May 10, 2011.
This Side of Paradise
Ric Ocasek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From inside you want to scream
The comic cut is your arrival
Your reflections are obscene
Well you're looking for another end
Doing time
But you still can't turn away
Any kind
That wants to play the games you play
On this side of paradise
You're never going to go through twice
Stay tuned at any price
To this side of paradise
Cylinder dreams passing in stages
Lethargic grins left to bare
Broadway windows cubical cages
Where escape is fairly rare
Well you're looking for another end
Any Time
But you still can't turn away
Well you're looking for a real friend
Any kind
That wants to play the games you play
On this side of paradise
You're never going to go through twice
Stay tuned at any price
To this side of paradise
You've got to keep yourself well amused
Pay no attention to the faulty news
Set yourself on automatic cruise
Sometimes you just got to lose
On this side of paradise
You're never going to go through twice
Stay tuned at any price
To this side of paradise
On this side of paradise
On this side of paradise
The lyrics of Ric Ocasek's song "This Side of Paradise" describe the feeling of being trapped in a world that is less than perfect. The "midnight oyster bellies" are a metaphor for dark thoughts or fears that are hidden beneath the surface of the mind. The singer feels as though he's going to explode from the pressure of these thoughts. He's looking for a way out, but can't seem to find one. The "comic cut" is his arrival into this world, as though he's stumbled into something that's not quite real.
The second verse talks about how the singer feels like he's just going through the motions. His dreams are passing him by and he's just going through the motions of life. He's trapped in a small cube, unable to escape. He's looking for anything that will bring him just a little bit of relief. He still can't turn away from this place, but he's looking for someone who can help him find his way.
The chorus repeats the idea of this place being a paradise, but it's not quite the paradise the singer was expecting. He's never going to go through this place twice, but he's trying to stay tuned to it. Perhaps he hopes to find something he hasn't seen yet.
Overall, the song is about feeling trapped in a world that's not quite the paradise we've been led to believe it is. It's about trying to find a way out, even when it doesn't seem possible.
Line by Line Meaning
The midnight oyster bellies bug you
You are bothered by the discomforts of the night, which are weighing on your mind.
From inside you want to scream
You are experiencing intense emotions and feel the need to express them loudly.
The comic cut is your arrival
You have a sense of humor and use it to lighten up situations, sometimes to enter them more comfortably.
Your reflections are obscene
Your thoughts are impure and inappropriate, causing you to feel guilty.
Well you're looking for another end
Doing time
But you still can't turn away
Well you're looking for a real friend
Any kind
That wants to play the games you play
You are seeking a change in your life and an escape from the monotony of your routine, but you remain loyal to your beliefs and seek genuine companionship with people who share your interests.
On this side of paradise
You're never going to go through twice
Stay tuned at any price
To this side of paradise
You are living on the edge and taking risks, but there is a sense of excitement and satisfaction in doing so, making it worth it to stay in this moment.
Cylinder dreams passing in stages
Lethargic grins left to bare
Broadway windows cubical cages
Where escape is fairly rare
Your aspirations are repetitive and unfulfilling, causing you to feel disillusioned and trapped in a mundane lifestyle.
Any Time
But you still can't turn away
Well you're looking for a real friend
Any kind
That wants to play the games you play
You are actively seeking ways to break free from your current situation and connect with others who share your interests, but you struggle to let go of your current situation completely.
You've got to keep yourself well amused
Pay no attention to the faulty news
Set yourself on automatic cruise
Sometimes you just got to lose
You must find ways to entertain yourself and avoid focusing on negative influences. Sometimes it is necessary to take a step back and ride the waves of life, even if means experiencing some difficulties along the way.
On this side of paradise
You're never going to go through twice
Stay tuned at any price
To this side of paradise
Living life to the fullest may involve taking risks and living outside of your comfort zone, but these experiences are worth more than anything else in this world.
On this side of paradise
On this side of paradise
The current moment is what truly matters and the experiences you gain now will never occur again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RIC OCASEK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind