Outside
[Preview] Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding Lyrics


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Look at what you've done
Stand still, falling away from me
When it takes so long
Fire's out, what do you want to be?

Now I'm holding on
Myself was never enough for me
Gotta be so strong
There's a power in what you do
Now every other day I'll be watching you

Oh-oh, oh-oh, I'll show you what it feels like
Now I'm on the outside
Oh-oh, we did everything right
Now I'm on the outside
Oh-oh, I'll show you what it feels like
Now I'm on the outside
Oh-oh, we did everything right
Now I'm on the outside

So you give me no reason
For me to stay close to you
Tell me what lovers do
How are we still breathing?
It's never for us to choose
I'll be the strength in you

Now I'm holding on (now I'm holding on)
Myself was never enough for me
Gotta be so strong
There's a power in what you do
Now every other day I'll be watching you

Oh-oh, oh-oh, I'll show you what it feels like
Now I'm on the outside
Oh-oh, we did everything right
Now I'm on the outside
Oh-oh, I'll show you what it feels like
Now I'm on the outside
Oh-oh, we did everything right
Now I'm on the outside

I'll show you what it feels like
Now I'm on the outside
I'll show you what it feels like

Oh, (oh, oh), I'll show you what it feels like
Now I'm on the outside




(Oh, oh), we did everything right
Now I'm on the outside

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of the song “Look at what you've done, stand still, falling away from me, when it takes so long, fire’s out, what do you want to be?” can be interpreted as the singer looking back on a relationship that has ended. The first line is a phrase often used to express disappointment and the sense of the singer’s relationship falling away from them is represented by the phrase “standing still”. The line “what do you want to be?” can be seen as an expression of confusion on the part of the singer as to what their partner wanted from the relationship.


The chorus of the song serves to emphasize the change in relationship dynamics between the singer and their partner. The line “now I’m on the outside” suggests that the singer feels like an outsider looking in, perhaps indicating that the relationship was not as close or intimate as they thought. The line “we did everything right” could be seen as the singer’s attempt to rationalize the end of the relationship, implying that they did everything they could to make it work.


The second part of the song shifts to the singer’s role as a provider of strength and support, with lines such as “I’ll be the strength in you”. The closing lines of the song, “Oh, (oh, oh), I’ll show you what it feels like, now I’m on the outside” can be seen as a taunt to their former partner, stating that they will now experience what it’s like to be on the outside of the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Look at what you've done
Reflecting on the consequences of your actions.


Stand still, falling away from me
Stagnant relationship moving towards separation despite your desire to maintain it.


When it takes so long
The difficulty and length of the process to maintain a relationship.


Fire's out, what do you want to be?
The passion and love present in the relationship has vanished and an identity crisis as to what to do next.


Now I'm holding on
Trying to hold onto the relationship despite the obstacles to do so.


Myself was never enough for me
Self-realization that being alone was not fulfilling for the singer.


Gotta be so strong
The need for resilience and strength to endure a difficult period.


There's a power in what you do
Recognizing the positive impact the partner had in the relationship and their ability to influence others.


Now every other day I'll be watching you
Thoughts and memories of the past are still prevalent.


Oh-oh, oh-oh, I'll show you what it feels like
The artist wants to demonstrate to the partner the hurt they are feeling.


Now I'm on the outside
The singer has been left out and exposed.


Oh-oh, we did everything right
Despite the efforts made in the relationship, it still ended.


So you give me no reason
The partner has not given the singer a valid excuse for the breakdown of the relationship.


For me to stay close to you
The singer needs a reason to continue pursuing the relationship.


Tell me what lovers do
Questioning the expected behavior of lovers and what went wrong in their own relationship.


How are we still breathing?
Experiencing difficulty in coping and moving on from the relationship.


It's never for us to choose
Acknowledging that the outcome of the relationship was not solely on the artist's actions and decisions.


I'll be the strength in you
Offering support and strength to the partner in their own struggles.


I'll show you what it feels like (now I'm on the outside)
Repeating the idea of demonstrating the hurt the singer is feeling while acknowledging their current emotional state.




Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Elena Jane Goulding, Adam Richard Wiles

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Ashar121

I really like this song. Ellie Goulding really kills it. The violin sound is amazing so is the build up. I just wished the beat was a little more up tempo without the extra snare loop. I know that that wouldve sounded very similar to his other mainstream hits but thats the kind of beat i like. Progressive.

@MinitoHabbo

Agree Dude!

@kacperzagro2271

Mnnnnnnmmm

@NEONHYPERTURTLE

Ew u like house... gross XD JK

@Ashar121

***** agreed. It really sounds good.

@NEONHYPERTURTLE

Will Sanzenbacher well in fl u can just change the pitch so it can sound like a cello

6 More Replies...

@user-jt4dg2ll8v

この曲まじで好き中毒性ありすぎ!!

@willpereiradeazevedo4613

Beautiful song I've been listening to this song for about 6 years and I still haven't gotten tired of it.

@fabianabarbosa4231

i'm brazilian but i love these songs, and this one then gives me a lot of nostalgia i want to be passing through a tunnel inside a car with a sun roof and feeling the wind on my face

@nickleization

This song aged well surprisingly. Still a bop after 5 years!

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