Tamar Kaprelian’s ESC collaboration “The Otherside” to be released June 23

It’s finally coming! After two weeks of delays due to re-recording – music ain’t easy, y’all – “The Otherside” is finally ready for public consumption. The superstar collaboration of the year, spearheaded by Armenia’s American counterpart Tamar Kaprelian, will be released next Tuesday, June 23. Featuring five of this year’s contestants — Tamar, Elhaida Dani, Maria-Elena Kyriakou, Elina Born and Stephanie Topalian — this single oozes talent and girl power.

In fact, we have already had a sneak listen and can tell you it is LOVELY. We need this in the soundtrack of a romantic movie ASAP. Earlier today Tamar chatted with us about the new release. She was quick to point out that the song’s message depends on the listener.

The beauty of music is that songs have many meanings—they can be interpreted multiple ways.

The Otherside is about survival.

Imagine looking out at a desolate landscape and describing what you see: “A traveler on these streets of gold / You never meant to sell your soul, but you / Find yourself rearranged like a prophet going blind / Tired of saving yourself when there’s no one to help and you’re fighting with both hands tied / But you’re ready to go, in your heart cause you know / No one cares if you live or die”

I wrote this about the music business and about the people I’ve met along the way. Some have been wonderful, they’ve helped open a lot doors. But, some (maybe a little more than “some”) were not so great. Sometimes the bad experiences outweigh the good. And when that happens, you need to refocus your life… analyze what is going on… and make some changes. Four years ago, I decided to take a break from music and do something completely unrelated. That’s when I applied to Columbia. I needed to recharge. I needed to be inspired by music again.

Well, charged I am… (as Yoda would say) and I’m back.

During Eurovision 2015, Tamar told us in an interview that this collaboration was the brainchild of her and Albania’s Elhaida Dani, who began chatting on social media. Tamar was also in touch with Greece’s Maria Elena Kyriakou and Estonia’s Elina Born, and she invited them into the project as well. Fellow Genealogy member Stephanie Topalian is also featured on the track.

Tamar released the cover art earlier today:

“The Otherside”, written by Tamar, originally appeared on her debut album, “Sinner or a Saint“. She chose this song for its message, and chose to give her collaborators the biggest parts of the song. wiwibloggs was in the studio during this recording and spoke with Tamar about her revamp of “The Otherside”.

Tamar Kaprelian on “The Otherside”

Congratulations, Tamar! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to hear the final version.

“The Otherside” Lyrics

Thirty heartbeats from the rain
You’re a poet with a stranger’s name
Cause you woke up with a shattered heart
And the pieces are hard to find
In this wasted town
Where they’ve broken you down
And poisoned you with words
Under painted lies
That you’ve memorized
It’s a story that no ones heard

What’s wrong with this world we live in?
Where the good and bad collide
When did you stop believing, in a better life?
How many dreams unanswered
Before we get this right?
What if it’s all forgiven
When you reach the other side

A traveler on these streets of gold
You never meant to sell your soul
But you find yourself rearranged
Like a prophet going blind
Tired of saving yourself
When there’s no one to help
And you’re fighting with both hands tied
And you’re ready to go
In your heart cause you know
No one cares if you live or die

What’s wrong with this world we live in?
Where the good and bad collide
When did you stop believing, in a better life?
How many dreams unanswered
Before we get this right?
What if it’s all forgiven
When you reach the other side

You can swallow your pride but the river is wide
It returns you to where you have been.
Back to sand on the shore back to heaven and war
You’re searching for where to begin.

What’s wrong with this world we live in?
Why am I here inside?
When did you stop believing?
What’s wrong with this world we live in?
Where the good and bad collide
When did you stop believing, in a better life?
How many dreams unanswered
Before we get this right?
What if it’s all forgiven
When you reach the other side

Read all of our Armenia Eurovision news here.