While it’s a rare commodity for a band to tour as consistently as Slightly … Read Full Bio ↴While it’s a rare commodity for a band to tour as consistently as Slightly Stoopid, the group’s diligent commitment to live music provides some insight into their loyal fan base and unique creative metamorphosis throughout their extensive existence. Though it's been a couple of years since the release of their last studio album, Top Of The World (August 14, 2012), the Ocean Beach, California-based group—led by co-founders and multi-instrumentalists Kyle McDonald and Miles Doughty—have also found the same passionate dedication to their studio craft, holing up between tours in their own San Diego recording studio and record label complex. The balance of a prolific touring regimen between albums have helped to refine the tasty fusion and massive groove that permeates Stoopid’s trademark sound and seven album catalogue, as well as their live shows.

"We're a touring act, and we've been on the road pretty much non-stop over the last decade," explains Doughty, offering that the more recent creation of the band's own local recording studio and rehearsal clubhouse (within the warehouse district of Mission Valley just inland of Ocean Beach) certainly aided and influenced their last release Top of the World, and has inspired their latest sessions, which the band anticipates could stretch into a few different recording projects.

"Over the last 3 years we started our own studio and within the last 9 months, anticipating the window for new album sessions, the band has invested into innovations and equipment upgrades for the studio in a quest to capture and progress our signature sound forward. Having our own studio really enables us to make records at our own pace and to make the right records, hopefully (with a grin) at various stages of our career,” Doughty continues. “What's nice about having our own environment to record in and analyze the music is it really lets you keep an organic feel. For us, I feel like it's a step into the next level, as far as understanding the process of recording, understanding the process of songwriting. We took everything that we've learned over the years and really put it into this place and into our music.” The property also houses the creative loft space that has become the official offices of the band’s own label Stoopid Records, which issued the band’s second album in 1999 Acoustic Roots, and has continued to be their preferred method of distributing the band’s recorded material.

Another key ingredient to what makes Slightly Stoopid extraordinarily special is the inclusion of several musical guests, both live and in the studio. "It really keeps that 'family atmosphere' for us,” says Doughty. “I think it really shows in the music — we live for the spirit of collaboration and on Top of The World we had G. Love, Angelo Moore from Fishbone, Don Carlos, Barrington Levy, Ian Neville from Dumpstaphunk, Tory Ruffin from Morris Day and the Time and Fishbone, and singer/songwriter Angela Hunte. Angelo Moore to me is one of the greatest front-men to ever step foot on a stage. As a fan and out of respect, I try to do something with Angelo every time we have a record, really. If you listen to his lyrics, his vocal performance—I don't know who could keep up with Angelo on stage. Don Carlos from Black Uhuru is one of the legendary reggae singers of all time and we've had the pleasure of working with him the last few years. We've been friends with G. Love for over 15 years, and we've been able to work together quite a few different times in the studio. It seems like second nature. Whenever you're recording with G., it's almost like you're really just hanging out with your bro and you happen to hit record. We've done so many shows together and so many studio sessions, it becomes second nature.“

The Otherside
Slightly Stoopid Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tell me if you really wanna ride
To the otherside where you know their hidin'
Undercover from the stars you know
That there's no survivin' when you wanna lineup

Can't you see that there is something wrong
Or are you just as blind as all the ones beside you?
Just remember that the world is runnin'

By the hands of man who had no guns for violence

Crucial issues that get pushed aside
Which we could get you to try to take a look inside
And awaken that what you slept to long
Cause twisted minds have lead you wrong

I just deliver the message, I don't need no thanks
I ain't talkin' 'bout my bitches, I ain't slingin' no crank
See war and poverty, violence and hate are all connected
But you ain't tryin' to relate

To the otherside
To the otherside

To many times were overloaded with the phase that we're livin'
In a world that's got us caught up in the wrong decision
By the ones we put in power gettin' richer and fatter
The rest of us around us think the one that all matters

Or it's us that gotta deal with the cost of your reason
It's us that gotta deal with the 'cause of your treason
Which way you runnin', pack your bags you know we comin'

Ay y'all
You see that one man's pleasure can be the next man's sorrow
No such thing as loyalty, no good examples to follow
All we hearin' is time to fix the distortion
Nothin' but death and disease and epidemic proportions

The order of the day is hate and grieves
Time to take the lead supply the basic needs
And either deal with it or you could deny it
From the worst comes the best
From the lowest comes the highest

To the otherside
To the otherside
To the otherside
To the otherside
To the otherside

To the otherside
To my right

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Slightly Stoopid’s “The Otherside” is a call for people to stop ignoring the problems in the world around us and take action to fix them. The first verse urges people to see that something is wrong and to stop being blind to the issues. The hands of men who do not carry guns have been running the world and crucial issues are being pushed aside. The writer encourages listeners to look inside themselves and awaken to the fact that they have been led by twisted minds for too long. The chorus reinforces the idea of going to the other side, implying that there is another way to live if people are willing to take the journey.

In the second verse, the writer speaks on the difficulties of living in a world that is caught up in the wrong decisions made by people in power who are getting richer while the rest of society struggles. Ironically, it is the rest of us who have to pay for the decisions made by those in power. The writer again implores listeners to take action and lead in supplying basic needs instead of denying the problems. The final line, “From the worst comes the best, from the lowest comes the highest,” is a hopeful message that even the darkest situations can bring about change.

Overall, the song is a call for people to take their heads out of the sand and make an effort to fix the problems in the world. It suggests that if people are willing to go to the other side and awaken to the truth, things can change for the better.

Line by Line Meaning

Tell me if you really wanna ride
Let me know if you're ready to explore a different perspective

To the otherside where you know their hidin'
To explore the unknown and hidden parts of life

Undercover from the stars you know
Hidden from society and mainstream beliefs

That there's no survivin' when you wanna lineup
Challenging the status quo can be scary and dangerous

Can't you see that there is something wrong
The world is not perfect and there are issues that need fixing

Or are you just as blind as all the ones beside you?
Ignoring the problems won't make them go away

Just remember that the world is runnin'
Power structures and systems affect everyone's lives

By the hands of man who had no guns for violence
Those in charge don't need violence to manipulate and control

Crucial issues that get pushed aside
Important problems often get ignored or dismissed

Which we could get you to try to take a look inside
Encouraging self-reflection and introspection

And awaken that what you slept too long
To become aware of issues that have been ignored or hidden

Cause twisted minds have lead you wrong
The mainstream beliefs and ideas may not be accurate or moral

I just deliver the message, I don't need no thanks
Trying to raise awareness without expecting anything in return

I ain't talkin' 'bout my bitches, I ain't slingin' no crank
Not promoting or glorifying harmful behavior

See war and poverty, violence and hate are all connected
Problems in the world are often interrelated and need to be addressed holistically

But you ain't tryin' to relate
Not everyone is willing or able to empathize or understand the issues

To many times were overloaded with the phase that we're livin'
The world is changing rapidly and it can be overwhelming

In a world that's got us caught up in the wrong decision
Society's values and priorities can be misguided

By the ones we put in power gettin' richer and fatter
Those in charge often prioritize their own interests over the citizens'

The rest of us around us think the one that all matters
People often prioritize superficial things over real issues

Or it's us that gotta deal with the cost of your reason
Everyone will suffer the consequences of societal problems

It's us that gotta deal with the 'cause of your treason
People can feel betrayed or let down by leaders who shouldn't be trusted

Which way you runnin', pack your bags you know we comin'
People need to take action and address the issues instead of running away

You see that one man's pleasure can be the next man's sorrow
Individual actions can have negative consequences for others

No such thing as loyalty, no good examples to follow
Loyalty and role models can be hard to find in society

All we hearin' is time to fix the distortion
Urgency to address societal issues and injustices

Nothin' but death and disease and epidemic proportions
Socioeconomic issues and health disparities are widespread and severe

The order of the day is hate and grieves
Negative emotions and conflicts are common in society

Time to take the lead supply the basic needs
It's time to prioritize people's essential needs and well-being

And either deal with it or you could deny it
People have a choice to confront or ignore the issues

From the worst comes the best
Out of difficult times and struggles can come positive change and growth

From the lowest comes the highest
People can rise to greatness and overcome adversity

To the otherside
Encouragement to explore other perspectives and ways of thinking

To my right
Possible reference to musical directions or stage direction

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: BRENDON MCDONALD, STEVE MOORE, TIM IAN GROSE, CHRISTOFER KAYE WELTER, KEITH ELAM, KYLE MCDONALD, MILES MASON DOUGHTY, OGUER OCON, RYAN C. MORAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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