Albert - Drums & Lead Vocals
Ken - Guitar & Vocals
Doug - Bass & Vocals
Outsider
Hellnation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Farms razed for suburbs
Escape routes widen
Draining the land
The land developers know how to pick a winner
The politicians know how to pick a winner
Outsider.....
Kentucky grows uglier
They win
They win
The lyrics of the song Outsider by Hellnation resonate with the common man who feels left out and ignored by society. The first few lines talk about how nature is being destructed and transformed into urban dwellings to cater to the increasing demand of the population. The lyrics suggest that the land developers and politicians are working together to benefit from this process while the common man is left helpless. The word "outsider" is repeated thrice in the song, emphasizing the alienation and detachment the singer feels from the society at large.
The song is a commentary on the rapid urbanization and mechanization of society, which has led to a loss of nature and the disparity between the rich and the poor. Hellnation's lyrics are fiercely critical of the corrupt system that benefits the elites while disregarding the rights of the downtrodden. This song resonated with the punk and hardcore fans of the 90s who were disillusioned with the mainstream society and found solace in the messages of dissent.
Line by Line Meaning
Mountain torn in half
The natural beauty of the land is destroyed by carving it up for human consumption.
Farms razed for suburbs
Agriculture is replaced by urbanization in pursuit of economic growth.
Escape routes widen
Roads are expanded and public spaces like parks are replaced to accommodate more cars and people.
Draining the land
Natural resources like fossils fuels and groundwater are used up without consideration for future generations.
The land developers know how to pick a winner
Real estate moguls have mastered the art of manipulating the market to maximize profit at any cost, including environmental destruction.
The politicians know how to pick a winner
Elected officials are beholden to special interests and corporate donors, and prioritize economic growth over sustainability and social justice.
Outsider.....
The singer, who identifies as an outsider, observes and critiques the destructive practices of those in power.
Kentucky grows uglier
The poet's home state of Kentucky is a microcosm of the larger trend of environmental degradation and economic inequality.
By the day
The problem is getting worse and cannot be ignored or brushed aside.
They win
The forces of greed and exploitation continue to dominate society, and the artist feels powerless to stop them.
Contributed by Gabriel A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.