Inside Looking Out
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
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I serve my time doin' the best I can
Walls and bars they surround me
But, I don't want no sympathy
No baby, no baby
All I need is some tender lovin'
To keep me sane in this burning oven
Life gets worse on God's green earth
Be my reefer, got to keep smokin' that thing
No, no, no, no, no, no
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
I said now baby, baby let me smoke it smoke it
Makes me feel good feel good, yes, I feel good ah
Yes, I feel alright (feel alright) yes, I feel alright (I feel alright)
Yes, I feel alright ah
Oh
Ice cold water is runnin' through my veins
They try and drag me back to work again
Pain and blisters on my mind and hands
I work all day making up burlap bags
The oats they're feeding me are driving me wild
I feel unhappy like a new born child
Now, when my time is up, you wait and see
These walls and bars won't keep that stuff from me
No, no, baby
Won't keep that stuff from me
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
I need you right now mama
I need you right now baby
Right by my side, honey
All night long
Make me feel alright
Yes, yes, yes
You better come on up and get down with me
I'll make you feel real good, just you wait and see
Make me feel alright yes, I feel alright
Yes, yes, yes, alright
"Inside Looking Out" by Grand Funk Railroad is a song about the desperation of prison life. The first verse sets the stage for the song, with the singer expressing his loneliness and his willingness to serve his time in prison. He is surrounded by walls and bars, but he doesn't want any sympathy. Instead, he just wants some tender loving care to keep him sane in the oppressive environment. When his time is up, he wants his lover to be waiting for him to provide him with the comfort he needs.
The second verse paints a picture of the harsh conditions of prison life. The singer is forced to work all day making burlap bags, and he is fed oats that drive him wild. He feels trapped and unhappy, like a newborn child. The repetition of "no, no, no" at the end of each verse emphasizes the sense of desperation and hopelessness that comes with being in prison.
The chorus is a cry for help, a desperate plea for his lover to come to his aid. The singer needs someone to help him through the tough times, and he promises to make them feel good in return. The song ends on a note of hope, with the promise of a better future outside of prison.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting here lonely like a broken man
I am feeling dejected and hopeless in this lonely setting
I serve my time doin' the best I can
I am in prison, but I am trying my best to stay positive
Walls and bars they surround me
I am in a cell, surrounded by walls and bars
But, I don't want no sympathy
However, I do not want any sympathy for my situation
No baby, no baby
I do not need sympathy
All I need is some tender lovin'
All I need is some love and affection
To keep me sane in this burning oven
To keep me sane in this difficult and oppressive environment
And, when my time is up, you'll be my reefer
When I am released, you will be my salvation and will help me get high
Life gets worse on God's green earth
Life only gets harder on Earth
Be my reefer, got to keep smokin' that thing
You need to be my salvation and help me get high because things are hard to handle
I said now baby, baby let me smoke it smoke it
I plead with you to let me get high
Makes me feel good feel good, yes, I feel good ah
Getting high makes me feel better and more relaxed
Yes, I feel alright (feel alright) yes, I feel alright (I feel alright)
I feel okay when I get high
Yes, I feel alright ah
Getting high makes me feel alright
Oh
Expressing contentment and relief
Ice cold water is runnin' through my veins
I feel uncomfortable and cold
They try and drag me back to work again
Despite my hard work, I am constantly dragged back into my miserable job
Pain and blisters on my mind and hands
I feel mentally and physically hurt from my job
I work all day making up burlap bags
My work requires me to make bags from burlap all day long
The oats they're feeding me are driving me wild
The food they give me is making me feel insane
I feel unhappy like a new born child
I feel as unhappy as a crying baby who has not yet learned to cope with life
Now, when my time is up, you wait and see
Once my sentence is over, I will be released
These walls and bars won't keep that stuff from me
These walls and bars will not keep me from getting high
No, no, baby
I promise you that I will get high
Won't keep that stuff from me
These walls and bars cannot stop me from getting high
I need you right now mama
I need you to help me get high
I need you right now baby
I need you to be there for me
Right by my side, honey
I need you to stay close to me
All night long
Throughout the night
Make me feel alright
Help me feel better
Yes, yes, yes
An enthusiastic affirmation
You better come on up and get down with me
You need to join me and experience what getting high feels like
I'll make you feel real good, just you wait and see
I promise that you will feel good once you get high with me
Make me feel alright yes, I feel alright
I feel okay and content when I get high
Yes, yes, yes, alright
An enthusiastic affirmation of feeling good and content
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALAN LOMAX, BODIE CHANDLER, BRYAN JAMES CHANDLER, ERIC VICTOR BURDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alfred Galistan
I'm 57 and grew up listening to GFR compliments of my older brothers.
They are surreal. This song by itself is so complicated that it is mind-boggling! There are at least 8 different distinct sounds in this song. From Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Groove, Grunge, Rock, Solid Rock, Country Rock, Hillbilly, Hip Hop, Heavy Metal - all done by a 3 piece band with no synthesiser and permanent rhythm guitar.
Mark played both lead and rhythm, while Mel is a monster on bass, and who can ever forget Don on drums. And they were only in their late teens!
This is the first ever American Rock Band that could seriously compete with the big guns of the British Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Nazareth, Led Zeppelin etc.
Inside Looking Out Live is even better than the recorded version. It brings edginess to its sound.
This is the band that brought forth Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Metallica, ACDC etc.
Yet, they were never inducted into Rock's Hall of Fame because they wouldn't compromise to the Shadow Government running the Music Industry. A travesty indeed.
In my books, GFR lives forever, and Inside Looking Out Live is the greatest amongst all Rock Songs. That says alot!
T3Cobra
I am 66, I have enjoyed this masterpiece since it was released. I am not a druggy but this song is enjoyed best stoned. The drumming is awesome!! Sends chills through me.
Shane Painter
im 31 and this is one of the best tracks of all time most people dont even know it
Toni midnite
I'm 66
Clayton Jackson Jr.
Just turned 60 and won't stop untill the day comes......... yes great rock from the 70s boat get better than this.
Marlene Pettiford
I'm 63 and have been listening to Grand Funk Railroad since the mid-seventies. Don Brewers drumming and his voice always did it for me!
talktalk2
I'm 56 and female. All the guys jammed, but the bass is what's awesome for me!
Mohan Dass
Im 65 years old and im listening to this masterpiece right now. Great band all three of them playing their instruments awesomely. Love them man.
Jorge Zorrilla
No one can compare with this group, so different than other rock bands, sad they are not together no more, best of the best!!!!
Gus Gambatese
The bass line is like getting hit by a sledge hammer! Farner was on another planet!
Mark B
@Izhkabibbel its way i play bass today mel is great