The Other Side
by Justin Timberlake (featuring SZA)

Album: Trolls World Tour (2020)
Charted: 44 61
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Trolls World Tour is a computer-animated musical comedy co-starring Justin Timberlake as Branch, a grumpy but good-hearted Pop Troll. Branch discovers that there are six different Troll tribes scattered over six different lands, each devoted to a different form of music. When Queen Barb (Rachel Bloom) and King Thrash (Ozzy Osbourne) threaten to take over all other forms of music with hard rock, the Pop Trolls attempt to unify the others against the Hard Rock Trolls.
  • This '80s disco anthem kicks off the soundtrack to Trolls World Tour. The track is a duet between Timberlake and SZA during which the pair encourage each other to stay the course.

    Hey you, stop stressin' 'bout what you're missin'
    So blue, just take it easy, take your time
    If you think my words are wise, just try it for yourself
    I promise the stars will light the path you walk


    Though other people's lives appear better, they reassure each other things will improve. The song title comes from SZAs exhortation that the "grass ain't always greener on the other side."
  • As well as starring in the movie, Timberlake also serves as executive producer of the soundtrack. He had the same role for the 2016 movie Trolls; Timberlake's song "Can't Stop The Feeling!" from that film won the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
  • Timberlake co-produced the song with Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson, who is Childish Gambino's longtime collaborator. His other credits include composing the score for Marvel's Black Panther.
  • The song's epic futuristic music video is set in a shiny platinum land. It is a throwback to the Hype Williams-directed videos from the late '90s, with the gleaming bodysuits worn by Diddy and his Bad Boy Records artists.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.