1.… Read Full Bio ↴There are, at least, two singer/songwriters named Michelle Lewis:
1. Michelle Lewis from Boston, MA. Graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 2003. Albums: This Time Around (c) 2004 Michelle Lewis Music; Broken (c) 2009 Michelle Lewis Music. Folk/Americana. "Like pie for your ears."
www.michellelewismusic.com
www.myspace.com/michellelewis
www.facebook.com/michellelewismusic
www.youtube.com/michellelewismusic
2. Michelle Lewis from New York, NY. Member of The Dilettantes (2007) and The Goods (2013). Albums: Little Leviathan (1998), Letters Out Loud (2005), Practical Magic Soundtrack. Rock/Pop.
www.michellelewis.com
Outside
Michelle Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since skipping parole
And he dials the phone quietly
But she put him on hold
There are good sons and bad seeds
She thinks he's the latter
But it no longer matters what she'll say
He'll be driving all night anyway
Then he cuts the headlights
And he watches their lives
From the outside
And they can't let him in
So he's driving again
As he's wishful thinking
On the outside
Mmmmmmm...
Oh say can you see by the dawns early light
Playing on the T.V.
I guess he's in for the night
He fell asleep waiting for his sister to call
All the motels and roadside bars
He wants home but it only gets farther
Over backroads he'll ride
Then he cuts the headlights
And he watches their lives
From the outside
And they can't let him in
So he's driving again
As he's wishful thinking
On the outside
Oohhh...
Yes, it's killing them knowing he's out there, somewhere
Reminding that they could be too
oohhh...
Over backroads he'll ride
Then he cuts the headlights
And he watches their lives
On the outside
And they can't let him in
Cause they know where he's been
So he's left there thinking
On the outside
On the outside
On the outside...
The lyrics to Michelle Lewis’s song “Outside” tell the story of a man who has skipped parole, attempting to reconnect with his family. He dials the phone quietly, but his sister puts him on hold. The singer is aware of his bad reputation and understands that his family views him as a “bad seed.” However, he’s determined to drive all night, cutting the headlights and watching their lives from the outside.
The singer’s family refuses to let him in, so he is left on the outside, driving instead. The lyrics reveal his “wishful thinking,” hoping for redemption and acceptance from his family. The final verse describes how his family is wrestling with the fact that he is out there “somewhere,” reminding them that they too could end up in his position. The song portrays the isolation and loneliness of someone who has been cast out by their loved ones, yet still yearning for a way back in.
Overall, Michelle Lewis’s “Outside” explores the complex emotions and difficult journey of someone who has been rejected by their family. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is willing to go to great lengths to be reunited with those he loves, but is ultimately denied a second chance.
Line by Line Meaning
He's breathes the air lightly
He's being cautious and trying to avoid detection as he breathes the air.
Since skipping parole
He's been on the run and in violation of his parole.
And he dials the phone quietly
He's being careful not to make too much noise or attract attention while making a phone call.
But she put him on hold
The person he is calling doesn't want to speak to him or is avoiding him.
There are good sons and bad seeds
Some people turn out well, but others are bad influences or choose the wrong path.
She thinks he's the latter
The person being discussed is likely seen as a bad seed or someone who has made poor choices.
But it no longer matters what she'll say
The person being discussed has already made up his mind and is unlikely to listen to what others say.
He'll be driving all night anyway
Despite any objections or concerns, he plans to keep going and driving all night.
Over backroads he'll ride
He will be taking smaller or less popular roads to avoid detection.
Then he cuts the headlights
He is turning off the headlights to further avoid detection or not draw attention to himself.
And he watches their lives
Even though he can't be a part of their lives, he still watches from afar.
From the outside
He is an outsider and cannot participate in their lives.
And they can't let him in
The people being discussed cannot or will not allow him into their lives.
So he's driving again
He will continue driving and moving on to the next location.
As he's wishful thinking
He is dreaming or hoping for a different outcome.
Mmmmmmm...
This line is simply a nonverbal sound and doesn't carry a specific meaning.
Oh say can you see by the dawns early light
This is a line from the American national anthem that is playing on the TV in the motel room where he is staying.
Playing on the T.V.
The anthem is playing on the television in the room where he is staying.
I guess he's in for the night
He is staying in for the night instead of continuing to drive.
He fell asleep waiting for his sister to call
He was waiting for a call from his sister but fell asleep before it came through.
All the motels and roadside bars
He has been staying in motels and stopping at roadside bars during his travels.
He wants home but it only gets farther
He wants to return home but it feels like a distant and unattainable goal.
Yes, it's killing them knowing he's out there, somewhere
The people who know him or have a connection to him are worried about his well-being and his whereabouts.
Reminding that they could be too
His situation is a reminder that anyone could end up in trouble or facing adversity.
Cause they know where he's been
The people being discussed are aware of his past actions and the trouble he's been in before.
So he's left there thinking
He is left alone with his thoughts and contemplating his situation.
On the outside
He is still an outsider and cannot be included in their lives.
On the outside...
This line is a repetition of the previous line and is a stylized way of emphasizing the theme of the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michelle Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind