The Other Side (SZA and Justin Timberlake song)

"The Other Side" is a song by American singers SZA and Justin Timberlake. It was released on February 26, 2020, as the lead single from the soundtrack to the film Trolls World Tour, in which the latter voices the character Branch. The song was written by the artists alongside Max Martin, Sarah Aarons, and Ludwig Göransson who produced it with Timberlake.^[2]

"The Other Side"
Single by SZA and Justin Timberlake
from the album Trolls World Tour: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Released	February 26, 2020 (2020-02-26)
Recorded	2019
Genre	Disco[1] pop[1]
Length	3:08 (single version) 2:55 (radio edit)
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Solána Rowe Justin Timberlake Ludwig Göransson Max Martin Sarah Aarons
Producer(s)	Justin Timberlake Ludwig Göransson
SZA singles chronology
"Just Us" (2019) "The Other Side" (2020) "Hit Different" (2020)
Justin Timberlake singles chronology
"Believe" (2020) "The Other Side" (2020) "Don't Slack" (2020)
Music video
"The Other Side" on YouTube

Background and promotion

In February 2017, it was confirmed that Timberlake would be voicing the character Branch once again for a continuation of the Trolls series.^[3] On August 19, 2019, SZA stated in an interview with Kerwin Frost that she had recently hit the studio with Timberlake.^[4] Timberlake confirmed the collaboration in October 2019, although not yet disclosing any details on what project it was intended for.^[5] On January 20, 2020, SZA took to her social media to post pictures of her in different costumes and settings, which would later turn out to be part of the video shoot.^[6] About the collaboration with Timberlake, the singer explained that she was "thrilled to be invited to participate in this project with Justin".^[7] On February 21, 2020, Timberlake posted a short video of himself talking about the song and providing the release date on Instagram.

Composition

Amanda Gordon of Vulture described the song as "a deeply infectious, groovy song peppered with the kinds of handclaps and funky keyboard riffs designed to make you move".^[8]

Music video

The music video was released on February 26, 2020, and shows the artists dancing and grooving around in different settings.^[8] Critics drew comparisons to "Hype Williams' 1990s fish-eye-lensed clips for Missy Elliott, Diddy, Mase and others".^[9][10] The music video on YouTube has received over 35 million views as of April 2024.^[11]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2020) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[12] 43 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13] 50 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[14] 8 Bolivia (Monitor Latino)[15] 11 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] 54 Canada AC (Billboard)[17] 21 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[18] 16 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[19] 11 Croatia (HRT)[20] 8 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[21] 20 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[22] 92 France Singles Sales Chart (SNEP)[23] 23 Germany (GfK)[24] 88 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[25] 17 Hungary (Single Top 40)[26] 9 Iceland (Tónlistinn)[27] 33 Ireland (IRMA)[28] 56 Lithuania (AGATA)[29] 32 Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[30] 20 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] 31 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] 60 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[33] 2 Portugal (AFP)[34] 119 Romania (Airplay 100)[35] 67 Scotland (OCC)[36] 27 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[37] 82 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[38] 74 Slovenia (SloTop50)[39] 12 Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[40] 10 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[41] 47 UK Singles (OCC)[42] 44 US Billboard Hot 100[43] 61 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[44] 22 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[45] 13 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[46] 35 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[47] 33 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[48] 17 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[49] 24 US Rolling Stone Top 100[50] 84 Venezuela Anglo (Record Report)[51] 18 Venezuela Pop (Record Report)[52] 36

Year-end charts Chart (2020) Position Argentina Airplay (Monitor Latino)[53] 79 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[54] 44

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[55]	Platinum	40,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[56]	Gold	15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[57]	Silver	200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[58]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	February 26, 2020	Digital download streaming	RCA	[2]
United States	March 2, 2020	Hot adult contemporary radio		[59]
	March 3, 2020	Contemporary hit radio		[60]
		Rhythmic contemporary radio		[61]