Their R&B/Hip-hop/Rap/soul music takes influences from their various backgrounds (Arab, Pakistani, and Latin music), and although their songs are primarily in English, they usually feature lyrics in Spanish, Urdu, Arabic, and Danish. All these influences make the music of Outlandish somewhat unique and this is easy to notice from the variety of genres covered in their albums. Outlandish often include themes about Islam and contemporary issues facing young Muslims in the west in their music, and sometimes their songs define a nasheed-like unique genre.
So far they have produced four albums: Outland's Official (2000), Bread & Barrels of Water (2003), Beats, Rhymes & Life (2004) and Closer Than Veins (2005).
Last November 2006 Outlandish won the MTV EMAs as a best danish act of the year, the same month as the creation of their new fan-site Elmoro4Life.com
If Only
Outlandish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If only - I got's to do this
If only - yeah
Rapverse1 (Isam)
I know I'm takin' ya for granted as hell
Don't care, never talk, when we do, not well
Come home, all tired and straight to bed
And I be like; forget that
I missed the first 4
Anyhow can't deny my conscious is broke
Double standard - 100, ask me why and I choke
Sistas stay home while brothas hit the clubs
Tale spinning on fast lanes, drinking all up
I give a damn about u'd walk a 1000 miles for me
I won't even go down to the nearest corner shop for ya
Food on the table every time I run home
Praying while the TV is on, my focus all gone
Can't take ya serious when ya blame me for ya misery
Why can't ya be mo like his or her son, I'm sick of it
I wish I could turn back the hands of time
If I could, if I could
I would be ya perfect son
Instead of these tears in du'ã
Chorus
Oh my friend
Can't take it anymore
The pain, the rain, the good times missin'
Help me sing
If only - we could be down
If only - we'd work it out now
If only - we'll be strong, we got's to keep on holdin' on
Rapverse2 (Waqas)
It wasn't love at first sight, not even the first night
Came later build on mutual respect insight
Ok we argue a lot yaaaaa told u I was leaving
So we say stupid things when we mad but we don't mean 'em
Come on how did u expect us to connect so fast
We knew zero about each other got hooked up by my mother
U was digging Bollywood while I was in to beats and rhymes
Before it all was about me
Now it's all about us
You see relationship's build on support and trust
And we had cracks in both
We came close to a divorce
Then he came in and things got better we thought
All though diapers for our baby's bootie we could barely afford
For now me and you we scrubbing floors together
But someday inshallah we gonna floss together
It's been a bumpy ride so far we'll face it together
No matter the weather
It's me you and ours forever
Chorus
Rapverse3 (Lenny)
Si solo yo pudiera
Viajar en el tiempo
Si solo yo pudiera
Volver por un momento
Y sentarme junto a usted
Y hablar de hijo a padre
Sentarme junto a usted
De amigo a compadre
Le diría hay una cosa que no se debe de olvidar
La familia es lo primero, es elemental
Pero supongo que en este punto
Somos diferentes y como reprocharle
Si usted es el ausente
Y ahora que ya no esta de que sirve
No se quien tuvo la culpa pero una cosa quiero decirle
Mi madre me hizo hombre
Ella es fuerte y con orgullo
A ella le debo todo mi pasado mi futuro
Translation
If only I could
Travel back in time
If only I could
Go back for a moment
And sit down with you
And talk son to father
Sit down with you
Friend to companion
I would tell you there is a thing you can't forget
The family is number one, is essential
But I guess that in this aspect
We're different and how can I reproach you
If you have always been absent
And now that you're gone it doesn't make a difference
I don't know who's fault it is
But one thing I want to tell you
My mom made me a man
She is strong and proud
To her do I own everything
My past and my future
Bridge
Why why so quiet
Baby ya think by now
We'd knew any better
Why all this fightin'
Maybe we should talk
Instead of all this hidin'
Chorus
Ending
Nobody
Holdin' us down
No more
Oh no
The song "If Only" by Outlandish tackles the challenges of relationships and the difficulties of communication. The lyrics convey a sense of regret and desire to fix things if only there were a chance to go back in time or make things right. The first verse, delivered by Isam, talks about taking his partner for granted, ignoring her needs, and failing to be the son she wanted him to be. He acknowledges his double standards and lack of accountability while criticizing his partner for not being more like other people's sons. The chorus, on the other hand, speaks about the pain and longing to be together despite the difficulties. The second verse by Waqas talks about the bumpy ride of relationships, how they have had their share of misunderstandings, fights, and issues with trust, but they are committed to facing it together. Finally, Lenny's verse talks about his relationship with his father, who was absent for most of his life. He wishes he could go back in time and fix things by telling him that family should always come first. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the realization that nobody is holding them down anymore.
Overall, "If Only" is a powerful song that speaks to the universality of relationships and the struggles of communication. It offers a sobering reflection on the importance of family and the need for accountability in relationships. The song reminds us that while relationships may be challenging, they are worth fighting for, and with commitment and communication, we can overcome any obstacle.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all so quiet in here
The atmosphere is very peaceful and quiet in this moment
If only - I got's to do this
Expressing a wish or desire to do something
If only - yeah
Reiterating a wish or desire
I know I'm takin' ya for granted as hell
Acknowledging that you are not appreciating someone enough
Don't care, never talk, when we do, not well
Not showing enough care or communication in the relationship
Come home, all tired and straight to bed
Being too tired or lazy to spend time with the other person
U b like; remember salãat
The other person reminds you about an important religious practice
And I be like; forget that
You disregard the reminder
I missed the first 4
Admitting to not practicing religious duties properly
Anyhow can't deny my conscious is broke
Feeling guilty for not acting in accordance with religious beliefs
Double standard - 100, ask me why and I choke
Feeling guilty for having different standards for yourself versus the other person
Sistas stay home while brothas hit the clubs
Sexist behavior and double standard is causing issues in the relationship
Tale spinning on fast lanes, drinking all up
Partying and drinking too much, neglecting responsibilities
I give a damn about u'd walk a 1000 miles for me
Not reciprocating the other person's efforts and love
I won't even go down to the nearest corner shop for ya
Being unwilling to make small gestures for the other person
Food on the table every time I run home
Providing basic necessities but not emotional support
Praying while the TV is on, my focus all gone
Not being fully present in the moment or during religious practices
Can't take ya serious when ya blame me for ya misery
Not taking responsibility for one's own actions and the impact on the other person
Why can't ya be mo like his or her son, I'm sick of it
Comparing the other person to others and expressing frustration
I wish I could turn back the hands of time
Feeling regret and wishing to change the past
I would be ya perfect son
Expressing desire to be a perfect version of oneself
Instead of these tears in du'ã
Crying and lamenting over the situation
Oh my friend
Addressing the other person as a friend
Can't take it anymore
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to handle the situation
The pain, the rain, the good times missin'
Expressing the negative emotions and experiences in the relationship
Help me sing
Asking for assistance in expressing emotions
If only - we could be down
Expressing a wish or desire to work things out
If only - we'd work it out now
Reiterating a wish or desire to work things out
If only - we'll be strong, we got's to keep on holdin' on
Remaining optimistic and hopeful for the future
It wasn't love at first sight, not even the first night
Describing the beginning of the relationship and how it wasn't perfect
Came later build on mutual respect insight
Building the relationship slowly over time and through mutual respect
Ok we argue a lot yaaaaa told u I was leaving
Acknowledging that arguments and disagreements are a common occurrence
So we say stupid things when we mad but we don't mean 'em
Saying hurtful things in the moment but not truly meaning them
Come on how did u expect us to connect so fast
Acknowledging that a strong connection takes time
We knew zero about each other got hooked up by my mother
Being introduced through family but having no prior knowledge of each other
U was digging Bollywood while I was in to beats and rhymes
Having different interests when first getting to know each other
Before it all was about me
Being selfish in the past
Now it's all about us
Putting the relationship first and prioritizing the other person
You see relationship's build on support and trust
Understanding the importance of support and trust in a relationship
And we had cracks in both
Admitting that the relationship was not perfect and had flaws
We came close to a divorce
Almost giving up on the relationship completely
Then he came in and things got better we thought
Having a child brought the couple together and improved the relationship
All though diapers for our baby's bootie we could barely afford
Struggling financially as new parents
For now me and you we scrubbing floors together
Working hard together to make ends meet
But someday inshallah we gonna floss together
Remaining hopeful and setting a goal for the future
It's been a bumpy ride so far we'll face it together
Acknowledging the challenges but remaining committed to facing them together
No matter the weather
Sticking together through good times and bad
Si solo yo pudiera
Addressing the father in Spanish, expressing a wish or desire
Viajar en el tiempo
Expressing a wish or desire to travel back in time
Volver por un momento
Expressing a wish or desire to go back for a moment
Y sentarme junto a usted
Expressing a desire to sit down with the father
Y hablar de hijo a padre
Describing what they would talk about - from son to father
Sentarme junto a usted
Reiterating the desire to sit down with the father
De amigo a compadre
Aiming to have a conversation as friends
Le diría hay una cosa que no se debe de olvidar
Explaining that there is one thing that should not be forgotten
La familia es lo primero, es elemental
Highlighting the importance of family
Pero supongo que en este punto
Acknowledging that the father may not agree
Somos diferentes y como reprocharle
Accepting that they have different opinions and not blaming the father for it
Si usted es el ausente
Acknowledging that the father has been absent
Y ahora que ya no esta de que sirve
Questioning the point of bringing up these issues now that the father is gone
No se quien tuvo la culpa pero una cosa quiero decirle
Admitting uncertainty as to who is at fault but wanting to express one thing
Mi madre me hizo hombre
Acknowledging the role of the mother in one's life
Ella es fuerte y con orgullo
Describing the mother as strong and proud
A ella le debo todo mi pasado mi futuro
Expressing gratitude for everything the mother has done for oneself
Why why so quiet
Questioning why the other person is being quiet
Baby ya think by now
Addressing the other person affectionately
We'd knew any better
Reflecting on the lack of progress in the relationship
Why all this fightin'
Questioning why there is so much conflict in the relationship
Maybe we should talk
Suggesting that communication could help the situation
Instead of all this hidin'
Implying that there is a lack of honesty or openness in the relationship
Nobody
No one
Holdin' us down
Preventing us from succeeding
No more
No longer
Oh no
Expressing surprise or dismay
Contributed by Charlotte J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.