Back to the Otherside

Album: Sweet Southern Sugar (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Kid Rock explores the tragedy of suicide during this rap anthem. "It's about young people and all this stuff that's going on, these kids taking their own lives," he explained to Billboard. "I had a cousin who did it. That was so long ago, but just watching so many people around me with this suicide thing, whether it's in the music industry, whether it's soldiers coming back from these God-awful wars, whether it's kids struggling with the bullying thing."

    Rock added: "I think we've all felt like that at some point, where you just felt like, 'This s--t ain't worth it, I'm going to check out.' I just try to tell people, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa! Just hold on a minute. Just give it some time.' S--t gets better."
  • The song includes the line, "God is great and he always forgives." When asked where that line came from, Kid Rock smiled before replying, "It's probably all those years in catechism."
  • Kid Rock incorporates the chorus from New Zealand band Breaks Co-op's "The Otherside" into the song.

    "A lot of us will sit there late at night, drink whatever and search for songs and songwriters from all over the world because we have YouTube," he said. "I came across this band from New Zealand and I was listening to their songs and I was like, 'Oh my gosh! Their harmonies are as good as Crosby, Stills & Nash or anything I've ever heard!'"

    "It had this poignant chorus so rather than just sample it, I had my people call to see if we could get their session tapes," Rock added. "I actually took their vocals and then used a drum machine for a little bit, but for the most part it's a live Nashville band in there playing to my rap and then flying in this chorus from this other band in New Zealand."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.