Stef Lang is perhaps at first glance an unlikely troubadour. But the unique combination of her mixed heritage coupled with growing up in the remote working town of Ladysmith, BC (population 7500), provided just the right atmosphere to fuel Stef's youthful pursuit of truthful expression and self-knowledge.
This drive to achieve her ultimate expression eventually caused her to pack up her guitar and walk away from small town life of Ladysmith, BC at 17 and relocate, on her own, to Vancouver, a city of over 2 million, to chase her songwriting dreams and locate kindred spirits.
An extremely prolific writer and performer, Stef now works closely with many diverse and talented musicians in the vibrant Vancouver songwriting scene. This includes vocals on indie boys The Dudes latest record and a co-writing credit for “Dust In Gravity,” which will appear on Delerium’s upcoming album. She is also a participant in the respected weekly songwriting circle known as Hipjoint Throwdown, of which she has become a core member.
Stef recently penned a publishing deal with Nettwerk/H-Songs and was accepted to play @ The Canadian Music Café during The Toronto International Film Festival, which in past years has seen the likes of Martha Wainwright, City and Colour, Chantal Kreviazuk and Steven Page.
The Other Side
Stef Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The picture is changing
I'm missing a piece
Of a puzzle that's fading
And the acorn is falling
From a tree that I never touched
And I've got too many things
That never seem to matter that much
And on the other side it looks much better
And on the other side, everything's there
But I never arrive,
No I never arrive in this place
And what's with it now
There's no satisfaction
And the rainbows in clouds
Are pretty distraction
And the Garden of Eden is teaching me greed
I learned how to want more than I'll ever need
And on the other side it looks much better
And on the other side, everything's there
But I never arrive,
No I never arrive,
But I never arrive,
No I never arrive in this place
The lyrics in Stef Lang's song "The Other Side" are about feeling unfulfilled and constantly searching for something more. The first verse describes a feeling of incompleteness, as if there is something missing from the singer's life. They compare this to a puzzle that is fading and an acorn falling from a tree that they never touched. These images suggest a sense of disconnection from the natural world and the struggle to find one's place in it.
The chorus offers a glimpse of hope, as the singer imagines that things might be better on the other side. However, they never seem to make it there, and their dissatisfaction persists. The second verse reinforces this theme, with references to the Garden of Eden and the lesson of greed. The pretty distraction of rainbows in clouds serves as a temporary escape, but ultimately, the singer is left with a sense of emptiness.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of yearning and restlessness, as the singer struggles to find meaning and purpose in their life. The repetition of "I never arrive" emphasizes this feeling of being stuck and unable to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
It's never complete
The situation or thing is never fully finished or resolved, always missing something.
The picture is changing
The circumstances or environment around it are in constant motion and evolution.
I'm missing a piece
The puzzle or scenario has an essential element absent or unintelligible.
Of a puzzle that's fading
The puzzle or situation is losing its clarity or becoming less meaningful.
And the acorn is falling
An effect or consequence is taking place without one's intervention or participation.
From a tree that I never touched
The source or origin of the effect is not from one's own doing or involvement.
And I've got too many things
There are too many aspects or issues to contend with at once.
That never seem to matter that much
Many of the aspects or issues are insignificant or not very important in the grand scheme of things.
And on the other side it looks much better
There exists a better or more desirable scenario or situation elsewhere.
And on the other side, everything's there
The other side has all the aspects or components necessary for satisfaction or happiness.
But I never arrive,
Despite efforts, the desired outcome or destination is never achieved.
No I never arrive in this place
The current circumstances or environment is perpetually inadequate or unsatisfying.
And what's with it now
What is happening or wrong with the current situation.
There's no satisfaction
The current circumstances fail to meet or provide a sense of contentment or fulfillment.
And the rainbows in clouds
The positive aspects or beauty of the situation only provide temporary distraction or relief.
Are pretty distraction
The positive aspects or beauty of the situation only serve as fleeting diversions rather than solutions.
And the Garden of Eden is teaching me greed
The situation or environment is causing negative character traits or values to develop.
I learned how to want more than I'll ever need
The negative values or traits are causing excessive or unnecessary desires or expectations to arise.
Contributed by Allison G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.