The Other Side

Album: Evanescence (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This booming track finds Amy Lee singing about death, a subject she has visited on a number of occasions before including "My Immortal," "Even In Death" and "Hello." "I wrote it with the guys. It was real collaborative," Lee explained to MTV News. "That was a hard one for me to write the lyrics for, because I had the chorus - it's very epic and dramatic; 'Counting the days to meet you on the other side' - but then, the verses, again, that element of fun is coming back in, you know, the band, it's grooving. So I'm like, 'How do I sing about death in a way that's sort of bitchy?' Like, it's not really possible ... it's hard to explain. But it's harder than it sounds."

    Lee's preoccupation with death can partly be explained by the tragedy of losing her 3-year-old sister Bonnie when she was 6.
  • The song is an aggressive, heavy track, but also has a looseness to it. "There's this element, this thing that we're doing that I can't really describe. We're just going to have to release the record and create an adjective [for it]," Lee said to MTV News with a laugh. "It's just... 'musicianship.' We're enjoying playing, and the way that I'm singing, the way that I'm writing my vocals, it's not about the most dramatic expression of pain, it's like, 'I'm singing this because it feels really good to sing the melody that way.' And I think that song has both. It's beautiful and epic, but at the same time it's got that rocking vibe."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.