Home · Songs · Red Hot Chili Peppers · Otherside
From album
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Details
TonalidadAm
Compás4/4
Tempo83 BPM
Duración4:15
CompositorAnthony Kiedis / Chad Smith / Flea / John Frusciante
ÁlbumCalifornication
ISRCUSWB11402755
Credits
Music Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, Flea, John Frusciante
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The story behind
When one immerses themselves in *Otherside*, they encounter an atmosphere that invites introspection, a piece that addresses the aftermath of addictions and the internal struggles they generate. The lyrics, written by Anthony Kiedis, are inspired by the experience of Hillel Slovak, a former member of the band who passed away in 1988 due to a heroin overdose. This personal connection gives the song a particular emotional depth. The music video, directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, complements this atmosphere with a black and white aesthetic that evokes German Expressionism and films like *The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari*, also incorporating elements of cubism and the art of M. C. Escher. The visuals feature the band members in unusual settings, with Kiedis in a castle tower, John Frusciante interacting with a rope as if it were his guitar, Flea hanging from high-tension cables, and Chad Smith with a medieval clock as a drum kit, all contributing to a surreal and dark visual narrative.
The release of *Otherside* as the third single from the album *Californication* in 1999 marked a significant moment for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song received excellent reception on the popularity charts, reaching number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for 13 consecutive weeks, a remarkable achievement for the band. In Iceland, it also reached the top spot, and in New Zealand, it positioned at number five. The production of the album, including this song, was handled by Rick Rubin, with recording and mixing engineering by Jim Scott. The return of John Frusciante on guitar for the album *Californication* signified a shift towards a distinctive sound, moving away from the proposal of his previous work, *One Hot Minute* (1995). Since its release in 1999, *Otherside* has remained a fundamental piece in the band's concerts, being one of the most performed songs in their career.
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