See You On The Other Side

by Ozzy Osbourne

Voices, a thousand, thousand voices

Whispering, the time has passed for choices

Golden days are passing over, yeah

I can't seem to see you baby

Although my eyes are open wide

But I know I'll see you once more

When I see you, I'll see you on the other side

Yes, I'll see you, I'll see you on the other side

Leaving, I hate to see you cry

Grieving, I hate to say good-bye

Dust and ash forever, yeah

Though I know we must be parted

As sure as stars are in the sky

I'm gonna see when it comes to glory

And I'll see you, I'll see you on the other side

Yes, I'll see you, I'll see you on the other side

Never thought I'd feel like this

Strange to be alone, yeah

But we'll be together

Carved in stone, carved in stone, carved in stone

Hold me, hold me tight I'm falling

Far away, distant voices calling

I'm so cold, I need you darling, yeah

I was down, but now I'm flying

Straight across the great divide

I know you're crying, but I'll stop you crying

When I see you, I see you on the other side

Yes, I'll see you, see you on the other side.

I'm gonna see you, see you on the other side

God knows I'll see you, see you on the other side, yeah

I'll see you, see you on the other side

I'm gonna see you, see you on the other side

God knows I'll see you, see you on the other side

I want to see you, yeah, yeah, yeah, see you on the other side

God knows I'll see you, see you on the other side

I'm gonna see you, see you on the other side

Interpretations

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User Interpretation

# The Transcendent Promise: Analyzing Ozzy Osbourne's "See You On The Other Side"

"See You On The Other Side" stands as one of Ozzy Osbourne's most poignant ballads, a striking departure from his typical hard rock persona. Released on his 1995 album "Ozzmosis," the song presents a deeply emotional meditation on separation, mortality, and the enduring promise of reunion. At its core, the song explores the universal human experience of saying goodbye to a loved one while clinging to the belief that this separation is temporary—that there exists some form of continuation beyond our earthly existence. The refrain "I'll see you on the other side" serves as both a farewell and a promise, suggesting that death is not an end but merely a transition to another state of being where reconnection becomes possible.

The emotional landscape of the song traverses a complex terrain of grief, longing, and ultimately, hope. Osbourne's delivery captures the raw pain of separation—"Leaving, I hate to see you cry / Grieving, I hate to say goodbye"—with a vulnerability that makes the sentiment universally accessible. This vulnerability is particularly striking coming from a figure often associated with darker themes and rebellious energy. The emotional honesty creates a powerful tension between the anguish of present separation and the comfort of future reunion. As the narrator moves from being "down" to "flying straight across the great divide," we witness a transformation from despair to acceptance, suggesting that faith in eventual reunion provides solace amid grief.

Metaphorically rich, the lyrics employ powerful symbolism that elevates the song beyond a simple ballad about loss. The "thousand, thousand voices" that open the song create an otherworldly atmosphere, suggesting a chorus of souls who have already crossed over. The "great divide" serves as a central metaphor for death—an expansive yet crossable chasm between the living and the departed. Perhaps most striking is the image of being "carved in stone," which suggests both the permanence of tombstone engravings and the eternal nature of deep bonds. This particular metaphor brilliantly encapsulates how relationships persist beyond physical presence, preserved in memory and spirit like etchings that weather time.

The song gains additional depth when considering its release during a transitional period in Osbourne's career and life. Following his brief retirement and his struggles with substance abuse and health issues, "See You On The Other Side" can be interpreted as both a personal reflection on mortality and a message to his audience and loved ones. Co-written with Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead (who would later pass away in 2015), the song carries an authenticity that transcends mere performance. The line "Never thought I'd feel like this / Strange to be alone" reflects universal feelings of isolation that accompany loss but also speaks to the personal journey of an artist confronting his own mortality and legacy.

What makes these lyrics particularly resonant is their resistance to specificity—the song never explicitly identifies whether the separation is due to death, romantic breakup, or some other circumstance. This ambiguity allows listeners to project their own experiences of loss onto the narrative. For some, it might evoke the pain of losing a parent or spouse; for others, it could represent spiritual yearning for divine connection. The song also subtly subverts heavy metal's often nihilistic approach to death by embracing a hopeful, almost spiritual perspective on what lies beyond—suggesting that Osbourne, despite his "Prince of Darkness" persona, harbors profound hopes for reconciliation and continuation.

The lasting impact of "See You On The Other Side" derives from its ability to transform the universal fear of separation into a promise of eternal connection. In an age of increasing secularism, the song taps into a deeply human desire for continuity beyond death without explicitly adhering to any religious doctrine. The repetition of the title phrase throughout—building to the emotional crescendo of the final verses—functions almost like a mantra or prayer, reinforcing the conviction that relationships transcend physical limitations. Decades after its release, the song continues to provide comfort to those experiencing loss, offering the reassurance that goodbye need not be forever—that somewhere, somehow, reconnection awaits on "the other side."

Posted on Jul 28, 2025 by Athena