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Red Hot Chili Peppers — Otherside
Album: Californication
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3079









Released: 1999
Length: 4:12
Plays (last 30 days): 3
How long, how long will I slide
Separate my side
I don't
I don't believe it's bad
Slittin' my throat
It's all I ever

I heard your voice through a photograph
I thought it up and brought up the past
Once you know you can never go back
I've got to take it on the otherside

Centuries are what it meant to me
A cemetery where I married the sea
Stranger things could never change my mind
I've got to take it on the otherside
Take it on the otherside
Take it on
Take it on

How long, how long will I slide
Separate my side
I don't
I don't believe it's bad
Slittin' my throat
It's all I ever

Pour my life into a paper cup
The ashtray's full and I'm spillin' my guts
She wants to know am I still a slut
I've got to take it on the otherside

A scarlet starlet and she's in my bed
A candidate for a soul mate bled
Push the trigger and pull the thread
I've got to take it on the otherside
Take it on the otherside
Take it on
Take it on

How long, how long will I slide
Separate my side
I don't
I don't believe it's bad
Slittin' my throat
It's all I ever

Turn me on, take me for a hard ride
Burn me out, leave me on the otherside
I yell and tell it that
It's not my friend
I tear it down I tear it down
And then it's born again

How long, how long will I slide
Separate my side
I don't
I don't believe it's bad
Slittin' my throat
It's all I ever
(How long, how long)
I don't
I don't believe it's bad
Slittin' my throat
It's all I ever
Comments (148)add comment
Although my taste for The Peppers has waned over time, this song remains one of my all-time favorites. Even among the general population of stuff I like. 
 surfrider4life wrote:

Frusciante & Flea


This is when Chili Peppers are magic. In real-time during my teens and early twenties I would either love or hate RHCP tracks/albums as they came out, and I didn't really know why or give it a second thought. It was only later when revisiting their catalog and doing more research that I realized the defining element of my enjoyment of RHCP was simply Frusciante in the lineup. That's when the sum is greater than the whole of its parts.
 Geecheeboy wrote:

People do forget that. We tape the heck out of the top of a box, but forget to tape the bottom. Tape it on the other side. 




LOL! Too funny!   I have actually had to explain that to a LOT of people!
This whole album has a special place in my heart, this track one of my favorites. It came out the summer that I moved to CA, and we listened to this CD to death on the x-country trip. Good times! 
People do forget that. We tape the heck out of the top of a box, but forget to tape the bottom. Tape it on the other side. 
Saw them in Feb 23 - still sounding and performing epicly 
 trailhead wrote:

All you haters, just listen to Flea's bass.  It's awesome.  Very up front in this song.




I Agree!  Great bass sound!
Such happy lyrics! ...everybody sing along!
A mediocre song by a once-great band which is far, far overplayed.

Flea's bass work is still magnificent, though, don't get me wrong there.
I love the harmonies in the chorus. 
you see...you can hum  that bass line.

And then sing some lyrics.

You become a music machine.  Cool.
 trailhead wrote:

All you haters, just listen to Flea's bass.  It's awesome.  Very up front in this song.




Flea's bass is bassed on his what - one line, one repetitive riff and the monotony of a vocalist who can't stretch his chords in any other direction, and oh, a naked drummer, dear god, I'm embarrassed to say I'm also from Melbourne but I'm proud to say I could develop more melodies from a stale taco. Are they not yet past their use by date ?
 Jelani wrote:
 idiot_wind wrote:
It's Flea's bass that save this song.   
 ...and the vocal harmonies.

 

Flea is outstanding here as usual! However," I don't believe IT'S BAd" or song needs saving .
Although slightly commercial it is a well crafted composition lyrics to harmonies and beyond!
 idiot_wind wrote:
It's Flea's bass that save this song.   
 ...and the vocal harmonies.

 sirdroseph wrote:

That is precisely how I feel about them, one very good complete album Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic and a whole lot of funky mediocrity before and after.  This song has a good melody, but really their lyrics always suck except for an acceptable line here and there.  Saw them in person at the height of their musical prowess and they did not disappoint, they sucked. lol
 
Disagree, Blood Sugar etc. was about 2x as long as it needed to be.  Everything after...well...meh.

Mother's Milk really WAS a great album.  i wish RP would play some off of that one and Uplift Mofo Party Plan. 
MUSIC VIDEOS: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Otherside. [] GIF | Gfycat
 stevesaw wrote:
On the podcast Twenty Thousand Hz  they had a two part-er about compression when an album is mastered. This album was the poster child of over compression. It was not a positive thing.
 
Very True! The "loudness wars" were the worst thing that ever happened to music quality!  
 dkwalika wrote:
Just not a good singer. Sorry. Just never got into them because his voice is flat.
 
Then go enjoy your opera.
        

Great song, great album !!!
Just not a good singer. Sorry. Just never got into them because his voice is flat.
On the podcast Twenty Thousand Hz  they had a two part-er about compression when an album is mastered. This album was the poster child of over compression. It was not a positive thing.
Brilliant band on every level !

Haters are shallow. They have laid down some of the heaviest Rock / Funk compositions ever . Anthony's lyrics are also pretty heavy ..if yah know !

See Stadium Arcadium  & Blood Sugar Sex Magic . Heavy musician ship there

Frusciante & Flea
well ...enough said
I don't , I Don't believe it's bad ...
 dogpound wrote:
generally, I think these guys are way over rated, but they do have some decent songs. THis one's not bad.

 
That is precisely how I feel about them, one very good complete album Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic and a whole lot of funky mediocrity before and after.  This song has a good melody, but really their lyrics always suck except for an acceptable line here and there.  Saw them in person at the height of their musical prowess and they did not disappoint, they sucked. lol
 Helchat wrote:
DJac wrote:
I HATE this song! re lyrics: "Slit my throat"?! they're sick...
I hate it too!!
 
I hate your Mama with workboots!
My rating up to 7   but not more
 Rotterdam wrote:
Tell me, have these guys ever ever ever done a song in a major key? I just think that they get boring after a while.
 
I'm not familiar with all of their material, but many of the songs I've heard from them are in major keys, not that it matters.
Just look at the website today  and you have your wish

 
AndyJ wrote:
I agree with last line.

Time to change and re-invent.  Too much Old-Familiar. Too much worn grooves in the ears.
 

garycha wrote:
Great tune from a great band.  I like the Rubin production.  So there.

It seems RHCP too popular for their own good amongst many RP listeners.  Like I am sure they are bothered...

Without doubt one of the best live acts in recent years. 

Maybe it's time for them to cover up the silly tattoos and go acoustic unplugged.

 


 

i like the chili peppers for their resilience. they all should be dead by now, but they always appear somewhere looking absolutely ripped. so they're doing something right. i can take or leave their music, but our host has chosen this tune, so we should listen and maybe learn something. thanks bill.
I'm a huge RHCP fan... including all albums before this one, wich represents for me the begging of a long, sad and deep fall into the depth of commercial variety.
They were novel in the '80s and '90s, but now I just find them tiresome. The overplay on commercial radio didn't help - would be happy to give their music a long rest before hearing again.
  7 Quite Likeable    ( my lowest grade )
 idiot_wind wrote:
It's Flea's bass that save this song.   

 
Right on.  From the first few notes Fleas chord playing style makes this song instantly recognizable.
It's Flea's bass that save this song.   
I just find his voice wears my ears down within a couple of verses... it's not bad but just sort of wears me out
 DrLex wrote:
> It's a pity because the music itself is pretty good.
> any imperfections in the singing
 


1/ Agree, I would say even a bit better than "pretty good"
2/ I saved a recording of a concert in Germany 2016 (Rock am Ring), when watching and listening to it I stopped it quite quickly. Couldn't believe Anthony Kiedis singing was that bad (at least in my opinion). Other comments I read complained more about the out of tune bass guitar.

But they are still one of my favourite bands, so many great songs ...
 one of the few chilly peppers tunes I can tolerate.. {#Bananajam}
{#Bananajam}
All you haters, just listen to Flea's bass.  It's awesome.  Very up front in this song.
6,6? Joke?!)
I can't remember the last time I heard this. I'd forgotten how much I love this song.
 NeuroGeek wrote:
I so miss Mother's Milk and BSSM (well, only some of the latter). Later RHCP just lost the funk and rock.    

 
they evolved :)
but I get what you mean, it would be nice if they make some new stuff in lieu of their funk/rock roots  
I so miss Mother's Milk and BSSM (well, only some of the latter). Later RHCP just lost the funk and rock.    
 bmeador wrote:

I know! I instantly went in and checked my sound prefs because RP never is down!

 
I just did the very same thing.
what is different works of RedHotChiliPeppers! :) 
I thought it is a Amy Winehouse  :)
 Kaw wrote:
It seems that Red Hot Chili Peppers  broke the system today. Can't remember a RP crash at all. 

 
I know! I instantly went in and checked my sound prefs because RP never is down!
It seems that Red Hot Chili Peppers  broke the system today. Can't remember a RP crash at all. 
My college friends would ridicule me, but I think Californication is the best thing RHCP ever put out. So there. 

Doesn't hurt that this came out the summer I moved to California, and I listened to it a lot on the cross country trip.  
 
 
garycha wrote:

It seems RHCP too popular for their own good amongst many RP listeners.  Like I am sure they are bothered...


 



  Who do you mean is bothered, RHCP or RP listeners?
As an RP listener I chalk it up to carefully considered indifference.

I agree with last line.

Time to change and re-invent.  Too much Old-Familiar. Too much worn grooves in the ears.
 

garycha wrote:
Great tune from a great band.  I like the Rubin production.  So there.

It seems RHCP too popular for their own good amongst many RP listeners.  Like I am sure they are bothered...

Without doubt one of the best live acts in recent years. 

Maybe it's time for them to cover up the silly tattoos and go acoustic unplugged.

 


Great tune from a great band.  I like the Rubin production.  So there.

It seems RHCP too popular for their own good amongst many RP listeners.  Like I am sure they are bothered...

Without doubt one of the best live acts in recent years. 

Maybe it's time for them to cover up the silly tattoos and go acoustic unplugged.
100% agree. Porcelain? that song was terrrrible.

 
RedAdmiral wrote:
Sorry I hate to give bad reviews, remember buying CD and then giving it away I was not impressed then. Thinking back I should have burn't it. Just seems so soul less.  More fun filling out a self assessment tax form.
 


 Papernapkin wrote:
Nasal, lispy, and whiney.
 
Enough about yourself, what about the Peppers?


This song, and the entire album, have some of the worst production I have ever heard (only their next album ‘By the Way’ might be able to top it). There is no dynamic range at all. ReplayGain recommends a gain of -12.8dB for the entire album, which is downright ridiculous! If you don't know what dB means: with each drop of -6dB, the volume is halved. As a reference, most songs from about 1990 have a ReplayGain of about -3dB or even 0dB, like for instance ‘The Good Son’ by Nick Cave. If you wanted to play that Nick Cave album first and then this RHCP album at the same perceived loudness, you would need to quarter the volume. If you think that has no negative consequences, you should watch this YouTube movie.

It's a pity because the music itself is pretty good. It's just so completely stripped of all life by the idiot who mastered it, that it becomes annoying to listen to very quickly. And because everything is flattened to the same volume, any imperfections in the singing become more obvious.

Nasal, lispy, and whiney.
Sorry I hate to give bad reviews, remember buying CD and then giving it away I was not impressed then. Thinking back I should have burn't it. Just seems so soul less.  More fun filling out a self assessment tax form.
Great melody. Why is it sometimes I listen to an album and all could remember about Red Hot Chili Peppers was Californication, totally lost this song and I own the album.
I turned my urban CA 6th graders onto RHCP...it was a rockin year
{#Beat}  I ate some redhot chili peppers once....they gave me heartburn too{#Puke}(Elvis Costello with rythme and no rhyme)
generally, I think these guys are way over rated, but they do have some decent songs. THis one's not bad.
 amyvoscas wrote:
RHCP needs to stick to their funky, upbeat songs. When I hear Anthony Kiedis croon, I cringe.
 
Yeah - the "rapping" can be annoying but the "singing" is just....yeah....not his strong suit, the whole MELODY thing.

I know there's a lot of hate for these guys in RP-land, and some of their stuff can be a little tired and cliche'd, but this one is flat out awesome... (see also: Breaking the Girl, Scar Tissue)

Cannot listen to this song without wanting to rip my hair out. Have grown to detest it. I'm not a fan of RHCP to begin with, but this album just makes me grit my teeth. Wow. The degree of my loathing for this song (this album) is astounding even to me.

RHCP needs to stick to their funky, upbeat songs. When I hear Anthony Kiedis croon, I cringe.
I think when Keidis raps it sounds like he's calling a square dance.
 Rotterdam wrote:
Tell me, have these guys ever ever ever done a song in a major key? I just think that they get boring after a while.
 
As far as I can tell, no. For a group with their rep, I find their music to be pretty dull.

First time hearing the Red Hots on RP. I can dig it!

This band just keeps on rocking.{#Guitarist}
Tell me, have these guys ever ever ever done a song in a major key? I just think that they get boring after a while.

Excellent song and CD. Thanks Bill!


The song is good. The video, now - I just love it! One of my all-time favorites.
 {#Mrgreen}
I find the song pretty good
andiman wrote:
I hate it more than you!
Now children, don't fight, there's plenty of RHCP hate to go around.
Helchat wrote:
I hate it too!!
I hate it more than you!
Anthony Kiedis is a great front man and rapper. Conversely, Anthony Kiedis is a bloody horrible singer.
yowza...cleanin' out the library cobwebs today. Soundin' great!
Helchat wrote:
I hate it too!!
.. Well .. It sounds like you're both going to start to pout !..
DJac wrote:
I HATE this song! re lyrics: "Slit my throat"?! they're sick...
I hate it too!!
Wow its been a while since I've heard it, not the best song in the world but a great pick Bill!
Monkeysdad wrote:
Anyone remember "Fight like a Brave", they still had energy then, they don't even sound interested in doing this song.
Hell yes! Or "True Men Don't Kill Coyotes" Thanks dad!
jagdriver wrote:
I LOVE this song!
I HATE this song! re lyrics: "Slit my throat"?! they're sick...
Beanie wrote:
Cannot cannot cannot listen to this song without grooving...
'n singing along!
Great tune. Just because its popular doesn't mean it's bad (just usually :) )
RHCP are awesomely funky. Love em. Have yet to find an RHCP song I don't like.
It's not a bad song....I just got so burned out on it on the radio that I can't give it a good rating.
Cannot cannot cannot listen to this song without grooving...
This group was made to sell Cd's period. they are redundant to a fault! Save this for the "Hits" stations
I LOVE this song!
I've always been impressed by their energy, grooves, dynamics, overal musicality and stage presence, but I can't say the same thing about lots of their songs. Maybe it isn't fair to compare, but because Bill is playing Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Buckley after this, the difference in quality in that respect (and not only that one I'm afraid) becomes painfully clear.
UncleChig wrote:
personally, I just love the backing vocals and harmonizing! Ruff'n'Reddy stuff!
I totally agree. Can we hear some of the harder stuff? NOT "Take it Away," but y'know, allegro. We seem to play the slower stuff from the rockers, as though it's eclectic to find something that appeals to everyone. But that's anti-eclecticism. Right?
personally, I just love the backing vocals and harmonizing! Ruff'n'Reddy stuff!
This is a good song.I remember when i bought this album and this tune quickly became one of my favs,but then it went into FM radio overplay and i didnt like it as much.Its great to here it on here though. :D
Monkeysdad wrote:
Anyone remember "Fight like a Brave", they still had energy then, they don't even sound interested in doing this song.
Yeh, brings me back to my junior-high skate-rat days. These guys lost me after Blood Sugar Sex Magic.
horseplayer wrote:
The segue from Richard Thompson's "Crawl Back" into this was sweet! Good one Bill!
I agree. This is one of my favorite Chili songs. This entire album is great!
the drumming in this is a TOTAL COMPLETE UNFORGIVEN ripoff of the gang of four.
What in the world could he have done with the money his mom gave him for singing lessons!? PS. Gotta love Weird Al's sendup of their "Give It Away" video. When Weird Al's version is better than yours, you know you have a problem.
My favorite RHCP album next to bloodsugarsexmagic
horseplayer wrote:
The segue from Richard Thompson's "Crawl Back" into this was sweet! Good one Bill!
Ever notice Bill doesn't get negative posts on the segues... That is a gift within a gift! Helping others to enjoy something even more? Neat! KUTGW!
keemun wrote:
further wanktastic pseudo-intellectual poser pop. one of the few bands I don't even respect, let alone like. :-)
WELL SAID!
dig blood sugar sex magik.....
great song. it has been overplayed a bit, but i haven't heard it in a while.
Blecchh.
dislike most chili peppers -- but loved the segue. Bill, you are really a great DJ.
The segue from Richard Thompson's "Crawl Back" into this was sweet! Good one Bill!
further wanktastic pseudo-intellectual poser pop. one of the few bands I don't even respect, let alone like. :-)
Transgenerational rock. My two teens and I all dig the Peppers.
ortenzia wrote:
i swear, i'm the only who hates this song. listen to better rhcp - scar tissue, soul to squeeze... this is whiny and makes no sense.
you are not the only one
great vocal harmonies in the last chorus
Interesting sound with this disc. An 8.
Cool song but I like their song Venice Queen the best (as of late.)
I think that at this point this song actually survived commercial radio.. that is if you actually listen to comercial radio...I enjoyed myself..peppers are always good
i swear, i'm the only who hates this song. listen to better rhcp - scar tissue, soul to squeeze... this is whiny and makes no sense.
voxhound wrote:
WORN OUT!
exactly.
spigolli wrote:
Great tune! But what's it mean, "take it on the otherside"?
Where's that dancing banana icon when you need it... PS: this might just be my favorite RHCP song ever... GOD it's nice that John Frusciante is back...
WORN OUT!