Recently, there has been some confusion over whether 1208 had broken up or not while their future was uncertain between 2005 and 2007. Although their official website recently went offline.
When it comes to punk rock, it's hard nowadays to find a band that will play straightforward music, with power chords, basslines, drums, and a strong message to send across. One of these few bands is a band known as 1208, which formed in 1995 under frontman Alex Flynn, nephew of Black Flag's Greg Ginn. Their brand of anthemic, catchy, and straightforward punk rock caught the attention of Pennywise's guitarist Fletcher Dragge, who helped them get signed to Epitaph Records, and also produced their Epitaph Debut, Feedback is Payback. Along with 1208, Dragge also helped produce and promote Epitaph lablemates The Deviates.
The main forte of these bands that Dragge has taken under his wing is that they are good punk rock bands that play straightforward, no B.S. punk rock. That's also their downfall, because, well, it just gets so bland and repetitive, especially in the case of the Deviates. Musically, 1208 is a more talented band, showing off many good hooks and examples of musicianship on their debut, Feedback is Payback. On that album, 1208 made an impressive effort, offering nearly 14 tracks of anthemic punk rock that was reminiscent of bands like The Offspring and Pennywise, as well as other successful South Bay/Orange County/SoCal punk bands.
Outside Looking In
1208 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He never took a chance, he never had a chance
'Cause he was force fed
He had to live his death sentence
See, he was a new face with a nice smile
He got sucked in, got spit out
He was the winner by the standards of a gold-digger
A success story in six figures
On the outside looking in
It was wasted life on the dream
On the outside looking in
He was wasted
Turn your back to the world
So then he grew old
He thought he grew wise
He thought he'd know a bad seed in swarm of flies
They couldn't wait to consider him family
Take what they could get and keep walking
And on his death bed surrounded by his friends
He saw the faces and no substance, let go
With a smile of serenity
He needed change for eternity
On the outside looking in
It was wasted life on a dream
On the outside looking in
He should of seen their dream as a sin
On the outside looking in
It was wasted life on the dream
On the outside looking in
He was wasted
Turn you back to the world
It's what he didn't know
He didn't know that killed him
It's what he didn't know
He didn't know that killed him
It's what he didn't know
He didn't know that killed him
It's what he didn't know
It's what he didn't know
(On the outside looking in)
It's what he didn't know
(It was wasted life on a dream)
It's what he didn't know
(On the outside looking in)
It's what he didn't know
(He was wasted)
Turn your back to the world
The song "Outside Looking In" by the punk rock band 1208 explores the theme of wasted life on a dream through the story of a man who is force-fed someone else's way of living and thinking. The lyrics suggest that the man never had a chance to break free of this mindset, and instead became a winner by the standards of those who were only interested in his money or success. As he grew older, the man realized that he had been surrounded and used by people who only saw him as a means to an end. On his death bed, however, he gained serenity and understood that he needed a change for eternity.
The chorus, "On the outside looking in, it was wasted life on a dream" repeated throughout the song, emphasizes the idea of being stuck in a situation that does not align with one's values but on which they cannot see a way out. The repeated line "turn your back to the world" suggests that the only way out is to reject the conventional ideas imposed by society and to pursue a different path.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to question the values and beliefs they have been conditioned or taught to accept, and to seek a more fulfilling life outside of societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody told him that their way was the right way
He was persuaded by someone that their way of life was superior and should be followed.
He never took a chance, he never had a chance
He was too afraid to try new things and take risks, preventing him from having opportunities.
'Cause he was force fed
He was pressured into adopting someone else's beliefs or lifestyle.
He had to live his death sentence
He was unhappy living the life that he had been coerced into, feeling like it was a prison sentence.
See, he was a new face with a nice smile
He was easily approachable and friendly, making him an easy target for manipulation.
He got sucked in, got spit out
He was lured into a situation that ultimately caused him pain and suffering.
He was the winner by the standards of a gold-digger
He was successful and impressive in the eyes of those who valued superficial things like status and wealth.
A success story in six figures
He was financially successful and earned a significant amount of money.
On the outside looking in
He was an outsider, excluded from the truth and feeling disconnected from reality.
It was wasted life on the dream
His life was squandered chasing an illusion, never able to find satisfaction or happiness.
He was wasted
He was used up and drained of all vitality, leading him to a miserable existence.
Turn your back to the world
He was advised to ignore the world and its ways, to avoid getting hurt or disappointed again.
So then he grew old
As time passed, he aged and became more experienced in life.
He thought he grew wise
He believed that he had gained knowledge and insight during his life.
He thought he'd know a bad seed in swarm of flies
He was confident in his ability to recognize negative people or situations, even among a group of others.
They couldn't wait to consider him family
Manipulative people pretended to care for him, but were really just using him for their own gain.
Take what they could get and keep walking
They took advantage of him and then moved on to their next victim.
And on his death bed surrounded by his friends
As he lay dying, he was surrounded by people who pretended to care for him.
He saw the faces and no substance, let go
He realized that these people were empty and shallow, and decided to move on from them.
With a smile of serenity
He found peace and contentment in his decision to let these manipulative people go.
He needed change for eternity
He recognized that he needed a profound, long-lasting shift in his life to find true happiness and fulfillment.
It's what he didn't know
His ignorance led him to be exploited and misled in life.
It's what he didn't know
He was unaware of certain information or perspectives that would have helped him make better decisions.
It's what he didn't know
His lack of knowledge or insight ultimately led to his poor quality of life.
It's what he didn't know
His ignorance caused him to make choices that ultimately hurt him.
Turn your back to the world
He was advised to ignore the outside world and its influences to avoid being hurt again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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Alexisonfire
Classic song. Feedback is payback for me is in the top 10 cds of punk rock. Can't believe this is from 2002..16 years!!
Gabriel Fabri
A great song, a great album. Tnks for the upload!
paulosclei
clássico
Daniel Jacobsson
one of the best Skatepunk bands out there. shame that they aren't signed now. would be beast if they release some new shit.
TylerHyperFace
The end of 2020 brought me back here; hoping all are doing well <3
Calibra 95
Best song ever
Bitzlecocker
@trustjab Ok dude. May the bicycles be with you!
Brooks Bonkoski
no no no, it's pronounced "cock"
Bitzlecocker
@trustjab Better not do it...
Bitzlecocker
@trustjab comment