If you were on TikTok or Instagram anywhere between 2020 and 2024, you probably heard that haunting, pitched-up vocal loop. It’s a snippet of Jason Derulo’s 2013 hit, but it became something else entirely. The Other Side Jason trend wasn't just a song playing in the background; it became a digital shorthand for transition, nostalgia, and, occasionally, some pretty weird internet subcultures.
Most people think they know the track. It’s catchy. It’s upbeat. But the "Other Side" most people talk about now is the slowed-and-reverb version or the "sped-up" nightcore edits that fueled thousands of POV videos. It’s funny how a song about a guy trying to take a friendship to the next level turned into the soundtrack for people showing off their glow-ups or "liminal space" photography.
Let's be real. Jason Derulo is a master of the pivot. He went from being the guy who sang his own name on every track to the king of TikTok, and "The Other Side" was one of the primary vehicles that got him there. But there is a massive disconnect between the 2013 radio version and the version that lives in your head today.
Why The Other Side Jason Still Dominates Your Feed
The song originally dropped on May 16, 2013. It was the lead single from his Tattoos album (or Talk Dirty in the US). Produced by Ammo and Dr. Luke, it was designed for Top 40 radio dominance. It has that classic EDM-pop pulse that defined the early 2010s.
But then the internet happened.
Music doesn't stay in its original form anymore. When we talk about The Other Side Jason in a 2026 context, we're talking about the "TikTok-ification" of legacy hits. The specific "Other Side" trend usually kicks in right at the bridge—that moment where the beat drops out and the vocals get airy. It’s a perfect "reveal" moment.
Creators use it for "then vs. now" content. You see a grainy photo of someone in middle school, the beat hits, the vocal shifts, and suddenly they are a professional model. It’s a trope. Honestly, it’s a bit of a cliché at this point, but it works because the internal structure of the song is built on tension and release.
The Evolution of the Sound
The technical side of why this specific song works is actually pretty interesting. In the original mix, Derulo uses a lot of vocal layering. When you speed that up by 20%—which is what most "sped-up" versions do—those layers create a shimmering effect. It sounds "expensive" to our ears, even if it’s just a distorted edit.
- Original Tempo: 128 BPM (Classic house music speed)
- The Trend Version: Usually pushed to 145-150 BPM
- The "Slowed" Version: Dropped to about 90 BPM for "aesthetic" or "sad boy" edits
It’s not just about the speed. It’s about the emotional resonance. The lyrics "Tonight we’re taking it to the other side" are vague enough to mean anything. It can be about a relationship, or it can be about moving from life to death, or just moving from a boring house to a party. That ambiguity is a goldmine for content creators who need a song to fit their specific narrative.
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The Production Secrets Behind the Hit
People love to dunk on Derulo, but the man knows how to pick a beat. "The Other Side" was written by Derulo alongside Jacob Kasher Hindlin and Joshua "Ammo" Coleman. If those names sound familiar, it’s because they’ve written half of the songs you’ve had stuck in your head for the last decade.
The song relies heavily on a four-on-the-floor kick drum. This is the heartbeat of pop music. But the "secret sauce" is the synth lead in the chorus. It’s a sawtooth wave that’s been heavily compressed. This gives it that "buzzing" feeling in your chest when you hear it in a club—or through your phone speakers.
The Bridge: The Part Everyone Uses
The bridge is where the magic happens for the The Other Side Jason memes. It’s the "Kiss me, back to life" section.
Musically, it’s a breakdown. The drums disappear. The bass vanishes. All you have is Derulo’s voice and a light synth pad. This creates a vacuum. When the beat finally slams back in for the final chorus, it feels like an explosion. If you’re a video editor, that’s your "money shot." You sync the transition to that exact frame.
It’s basically science. Our brains are wired to crave the resolution of that musical tension. Jason (and his producers) exploited that perfectly.
The Controversy: Copying or Coincidence?
You can't talk about "The Other Side" without mentioning the comparisons to other tracks of that era. Critics in 2013 pointed out that the song shared a similar DNA with some of Taio Cruz's work or even some early David Guetta tracks.
But pop music is iterative.
Derulo has always been open about his influences. He grew up on Michael Jackson and Prince. You can hear that "MJ" staccato in his delivery on "The Other Side." It’s not a ripoff; it’s a tribute wrapped in a modern EDM shell. The fact that the song has outlived many of its contemporaries proves that it had something unique—a certain "stickiness" that other tracks lacked.
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How the "Other Side" Defined Jason Derulo’s Second Act
Before 2013, Derulo was seen as a standard R&B-pop singer. "The Other Side" signaled a shift. He became more of an "event" artist. This song was the bridge—pun intended—between his "Whatcha Say" era and the "Talk Dirty" era.
It’s also the song that solidified his presence in the international market. It went Platinum in the US, but it was massive in the UK, Australia, and Canada. This global reach is why you see the The Other Side Jason keyword trending in different languages. It’s a universal sound.
The TikTok Renaissance
In the last few years, Derulo hasn't just been a passenger on these trends; he’s been the driver. He was one of the first major celebrities to realize that TikTok wasn't just for kids. He started posting high-production comedy skits and dance challenges.
When "The Other Side" started trending again, he didn't fight it. He leaned in. He did the dances. He acknowledged the edits. This is how you stay relevant in 2026. You don't tell people how to listen to your music; you let them chop it up, speed it up, and turn it into something new.
The Darker Side of the Trend
Interestingly, there's a subset of the The Other Side Jason trend that gets a bit eerie. "The Other Side" is often used in "Liminal Space" videos—those videos of empty malls, abandoned playgrounds, or flickering hallways.
Why? Because the song sounds like "the past." To Gen Z and Gen Alpha, 2013 feels like an eternity ago. Hearing a slowed-down version of a song that played at every middle school dance creates a sense of "Anemoia"—nostalgia for a time you didn't actually experience or a version of the past that feels slightly "off."
The reverb-heavy versions of the song strip away the polish and leave behind something that sounds ghostly. It’s a fascinating example of how a bright, happy pop song can be recontextualized into something melancholy or even frightening just by changing the EQ and the playback speed.
Why We Can't Stop Listening
Honestly, "The Other Side" is just a well-constructed earworm. It’s short. It’s under four minutes. It hits the chorus within 40 seconds. In an age of short attention spans, it’s the perfect piece of media.
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But it’s also about the man himself. Jason Derulo is a polarizing figure for some, but his work ethic is undeniable. He’s been in the game for nearly 20 years. Most pop stars from 2013 are long gone, relegated to "Where Are They Now?" lists. Derulo stays in the conversation because his music—specifically tracks like The Other Side Jason—is malleable. It fits into the cracks of the internet.
Actionable Insights: How to Use the Sound
If you’re a creator or just someone trying to understand why this song keeps popping up, here’s the breakdown on how to actually interact with the "Other Side" phenomenon:
1. Identify the Right Version
Don't just use the official radio edit. If you want the "vibe," search for the "Sped Up" or "Slowed + Reverb" versions. These are the ones that actually trigger the algorithm in 2026.
2. Time the Drop
The most effective use of the song is starting the video at the end of the bridge. Let the silence hang for a split second, then hit the "reveal" at the exact moment the final chorus kicks in.
3. Lean into the Aesthetic
If you’re using the slowed-down version, your visuals should match. High contrast, grainy filters, and slow-motion shots work best. For the sped-up version, go for high energy, quick cuts, and bright colors.
4. Respect the Hook
The "other side" lyric is your thematic anchor. Use it for videos about change, transformation, or crossing a literal or metaphorical border.
The Verdict on The Other Side Jason
The song isn't going anywhere. It’s become a part of the digital furniture. Whether you love it or you're tired of hearing it for the millionth time, "The Other Side" represents a specific moment where pop music met the "Wild West" of internet meme culture.
It’s a masterclass in how a song can have a second, third, and fourth life long after it leaves the radio charts. Jason Derulo didn't just give us a song; he gave us a template for how music survives in the 21st century.
Next Steps for Music Lovers
To truly appreciate the evolution of this track, listen to the original 2013 version on high-quality headphones first. Notice the crispness of the production. Then, go find the most distorted, reverb-heavy edit on a social platform. Compare the two. You’ll see how much the "vibe" changes based purely on digital manipulation.
If you're a musician, study the bridge of "The Other Side." It's one of the best examples of tension-building in modern pop. Use that same philosophy—stripping everything back before the final "payoff"—in your own arrangements to create that same emotional release.