The Outsider
APC Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Help me if you can
It's just that this
Is not the way I'm wired so could you please
Help me understand why
You've given in to all these
Reckless dark desires, you're

Lying to yourself again, suicidal imbecile
Think about it, you're pounding on a fault-line
What'll it take to get it through to you, precious?
I'm over this, why do you want to throw it away like this?
Such a mess, why would I want to watch you?

Disconnect and self-destruct
One bullet at a time
What's your rush now?
Everyone will have his day to die

Medicated drama queen
Picture perfect, numb belligerence
Narcissistic drama queen
Craving fame and all its decadence

Lying through your teeth again, suicidal imbecile
Think about it, pounding on a fault-line
What'll it take to get it through to you, precious?
I'm over this, why do you wanna throw it away like this?
Such a mess, why would I want to watch you?

Disconnect and self-destruct
One bullet at a time
What's your rush now?
Everyone will have his day to die

They were right about you
They were right about you

Lying to my face again, suicidal imbecile
Think about it, you're pounding on a fault-line
What'll it take to get it through to you, precious?
I'm over this, why do you wanna throw it away like this?
Such a mess, over this, over this

Disconnect and self-destruct
One bullet at a time
What's your hurry, everyone will
Have his day to die
If you choose to pull the trigger




Should your drama prove sincere
Do it somewhere far away from here

Overall Meaning

The song "The Outsider" performed by A Perfect Circle presents the story of a person who is struggling to understand the reckless and dark desires of a close friend or loved one. The singer begs for help to understand why the person has given in to these tendencies despite the fact that it is not part of their normal behavior. The person is described as a suicidal imbecile who is pounding on a fault-line and risking their life. The singer asks what it will take to make the person understand the consequences of their actions and avoid throwing their life away.


The song progresses and the singer calls the person a medicated drama queen with a craving for fame and all its decadence. The person is accused of lying through their teeth, and the singer repeats the line, "What'll it take to get it through to you, precious?" The singer has had enough of the person's behavior and declares that they are over it. The person is warned that if they choose to pull the trigger, they should do it somewhere far away from here.


The song portrays a sense of urgency and desperation, with the repeated line of "What'll it take to get it through to you, precious?" showing the singer's desperation to make the person understand the gravity of their actions. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of opening up and seeking help when dealing with difficult emotions and thoughts. Overall, "The Outsider" serves as a warning of the dangers of reckless behavior and the importance of seeking help when needed.


Line by Line Meaning

Help me if you can
Please assist me


It's just that this
This situation


Is not the way I'm wired so could you please
This isn't suitable for me, could you possibly


Help me understand why
Clarify the reasoning behind why


You've given in to all these
Why have you succumbed to these


Reckless dark desires, you're
Dangerous and depraved urges, you are


Lying to yourself again, suicidal imbecile
Betraying yourself once more, foolish and self-destructive person


Think about it, you're pounding on a fault-line
Consider, you are consistently damaging yourself and those around you


What'll it take to get it through to you, precious?
What will it require to make you truly understand?


I'm over this, why do you want to throw it away like this?
I'm tired of this situation, why do you wish to ruin it?


Such a mess, why would I want to watch you?
You're a disaster, why would I want to observe you?


Disconnect and self-destruct
Detach and corrode


One bullet at a time
One step at a time


What's your rush now?
What's the hurry?


Everyone will have his day to die
Everyone will eventually perish


Medicated drama queen
Overly medicated and dramatic person


Picture perfect, numb belligerence
The perfect image conceals a lack of emotion and hostility


Narcissistic drama queen
Self-centered and overly dramatic person


Craving fame and all its decadence
Desiring celebrity and all the indulgences it brings


They were right about you
Others were correct in their assessment of you


Lying to my face again, suicidal imbecile
Deceiving me yet again, foolish and self-destructive person


Over this, over this
I'm finished, finished


If you choose to pull the trigger
If you elect to commit suicide


Should your drama prove sincere
If your theatrics are genuine


Do it somewhere far away from here
Perform it in a location remote from here




Contributed by Connor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@beckygutierrez7645

Verse 1]
Help me, if you can
It's just that this is not the way I'm wired
So, could you please help me understand why
You've given in to all these reckless dark desires?

[Pre-Chorus]
You're lying to yourself again, suicidal imbecile
Think about it, you're pounding on a fault line
What'll it take to get it through to you, precious?
I'm over this, why do you wanna throw it away like this?
Such a mess, why would I wanna watch you?

[Chorus]
Disconnect and self-destruct
One bullet at a time
What's your rush, now?
Everyone will have his day to die

[Verse 2]
Medicated drama queen
Picture perfect, numb belligerence
Narcissistic drama queen
Craving fame and all its decadence

[Pre-Chorus]
Lying through your teeth again, suicidal imbecile
Think about it, you're pounding on a fault line
What'll it take to get it through to you, precious?
I'm over this, why do you wanna throw it away like this?
Such a mess, why would I wanna watch you?

[Chorus]
Disconnect and self destruct
One bullet at a time
What's your rush, now?
Everyone will have his day to die

[Bridge]
They were right about you
They were right about you

[Pre-Chorus]
Lying to my face again, suicidal imbecile
Think about, you're pounding on a fault line
What'll it take to get it through to you, precious?
I'm over this, why do you wanna throw it away like this?
Such a mess, over this, over this!

[Outro]
Disconnect and self destruct
One bullet at a time
What's your hurry?
Everyone will have his day to die

If you choose to pull the trigger
Should your drama prove sincere
Do it somewhere far away from here!



@jamesmackiii8418

I just heard this song for the first time a week ago, and can confidently say it's one of the best songs I've ever heard. Not only does it sound perfect to my ears on all spectrums, but I couldn't relate more to the lyrics. Two of my best friends (and most people I knew in high school to some extent) went down the road of Xans and RCs back starting around 2013, obviously with depression relevant as it usually is with drugs like this, shitty drugs people sell for a slight profit but also do themselves, and they almost killed themselves in my own presence (both involving being KOd on their back while puking ((one at my HS graduation bonfire one on a random day))); on multiple occasions even. Even as great friends there was nothing I can do to make them feel like life is worth living if you get down to it.

But, the reason why I feel I could use a therapist in life is because I think my Mom is the same way. She lost her father due to liver cancer when she was 19 in 1988, her fantastic and beautiful sister died of cancer in July 2021 after being diagnosed in December 2020, her wonderful brother is currently having heart problems at an age where he still needs to work, and her mother has come down with complete dementia to go along with heart problems in the year 2021: in the past year she aometimes doesn't recognize who my mom; her daughter, is, much less me. My mother also had her gallbladder explode 12 years ago when I was 12 followed by her spleen exploding when I was 13, 11 years ago. On top of her chronic pain from slipped disks and arthritis. She is one of the nicest, strongest people I know and In no way does she deserve this suffering.

This is the main reason I no longer believe in god after being raised a Catholic and question my mother whenever she prays as her life has been so tragic it makes even me cry nearly every day. I wish I could comfort her.

I had to get this off my chest I really really need a therapist

On top of all this the biggest thing I feel is that I can apply the song to myself. Yes, my life has had extreme difficulties that have broken me down, but so does almost everyone else's, and millions have had it worse, so why would I be a depressed bitch killing myself every day by hating my life and not progressing myself as I should due to distractions and complications that most people experience, and let it defeat me rather than help me grow as a person. Basically when I hear him speaking the chorus I an feel it as being me talking to myself in a way that is motivating



All comments from YouTube:

@ritalpha17

I told my 10 year old son about this band and he said a perfect circle is hard to make and therefore they must be a good band....kids are so enlightened

@audievickers132

You should tell him about Giotto when he gets a little older.

@joehuffman5042

You have a very intelligent child my friend.

@jessicahinojosa5390

Because there is no such thing as a perfect circle... What a bright kid

@shaners5848

Your kid didn't say that🙄

@saadmanalam7283

I'm sure he also thinks that you'd have to be an absolute Tool to be able to come up with such legendary music.

46 More Replies...

@Brotelho2

"What's your rush now? Everyone will have his day to die"
That lyric alone got me through a lot of depression.

@johnrhoads2735

Me too

@yvonnevanderlinden6750

Me too! The whole lyrics really hit my mind and made me think. I often think of this phrase "what's your rush now, everyone has his day to die". Thank you Maynard!

@icyflann7178

Best line in the song

More Comments

More Versions