The Outsider
The Ben Miller Band Lyrics
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These insider men, they don't go anywhere
Help to keep me hungry, keep my vision clear
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
Oh, I know a lie's a lie
Oh lord, I can see it in their eyes
There's a pathway that will blind you
And your dangerous enemies look like friends to you
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
These insider men, they don't go anywhere
Help to keep me hungry, keep my vision clear
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
Oh, I know there's some fine delights
There's easy satisfaction and contentment in your mind
I ain't gonna tell you what to do
Just know there'll be a day
When the hand that once gave to you
Comes to take away
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
These insider men, they don't go anywhere
Help to keep me hungry, keep my vision clear
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
Oh, I hate them heroes who fell
Oh lord, under that insider spell
I've studied on their methods
I've seen the way they've done
I've seen the way they tainted
The finest things I love
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
These insider men, they don't go anywhere
Help to keep me hungry, keep my vision clear
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
Hell is a circle inside
Hell is a circle, there ain't no place to hide
You run around in circles and you cry
You think you're moving forward
But you never see the light
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
These insider men, they don't go anywhere
Help to keep me hungry, keep my vision clear
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
In The Ben Miller Band's song The Outsider, the singer pleads to the Lord to keep him as an outsider. The song speaks of the dangers of being an insider and falling into the trap of lies and deceit that are often disguised as the truth. The singer sees the insiders as dangerous enemies that can blind and deceive, tainting even the finest things he loves. The song speaks about the pathway that will blind and the need for hunger to keep the vision clear. The narration is an appeal for protection as the singer navigates through the circles of hell.
The lyrics also caution of easy satisfaction and contentment that can lead to a false sense of security. The singer acknowledges that he cannot tell the listener what to do, but warns that there will come a day when that which was given will be taken away. The message is a call for listeners to remain vigilant and to not fall for the traps of those who may appear to be heroes but have succumbed to the insider spell.
The song is a somber and reflective ballad that blends together with roots music, rock, and blues. The melody feels haunting as it evokes the sense of isolation and the struggle of navigating through life when it is in opposition to one's beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, won't you keep me an outsider here
Request to God to keep the singer as an outsider.
These insider men, they don't go anywhere
People who are insiders don't make much progress.
Help to keep me hungry, keep my vision clear
Request to remain motivated and focused.
Oh, I know a lie's a lie
The singer is aware that lies are lies.
Oh lord, I can see it in their eyes
The singer can see when someone is lying.
There's a pathway that will blind you
There is a path that can lead one to blindness.
Where lies seem like the truth
In that path, lies can appear to be the truth.
And your dangerous enemies look like friends to you
In that path, enemies might appear to be friends.
Oh, I know there's some fine delights
The singer acknowledges that there are some pleasures.
There's easy satisfaction and contentment in your mind
Those pleasures provide an easy sense of satisfaction.
I ain't gonna tell you what to do
The singer won't give unsolicited advice.
Just know there'll be a day
The singer believes a day will come for accountability.
When the hand that once gave to you
People who were once generous might take back.
Comes to take away
They will take back what they gave.
Oh, I hate them heroes who fell
The singer dislikes the fallen heroes.
Oh lord, under that insider spell
They fell because of their insider connection.
I've studied on their methods
The singer has analyzed their methods.
I've seen the way they've done
The singer has witnessed their actions.
I've seen the way they tainted
Their actions affected things the singer loves.
The finest things I love
Refers to things/situations that the singer values.
Hell is a circle inside
Hell is a cycle from which escape is difficult.
Hell is a circle, there ain't no place to hide
One can’t avoid the cycle of hell.
You run around in circles and you cry
People in that cycle feel trapped and suffer.
You think you're moving forward
Though they run, they think they are progressing.
But you never see the light
The cycle prevents them from seeing progress/light.
Contributed by Lincoln F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DavidWilliams-xr5wl
Bluegrass, Gothic Bluegrass, Rock Folk, Metal Folk, heck even Rap Folk like the folks over at Gangstagrass keep the spirit of Country roots alive. Class solidarity, standing up to the man and knowing every folk no matter skin, sex, creed, or color is your Cousin.
@danomano7972
That change up near the end is fkn sick. And the main riff is so rich . A lot going on there. This is a rare composition. Excellent work.
@torocreekeventcenter8398
My grandson watches this video at least 15 times + a day for the last 10 months. Tobias is now 15 months old.
@ZLLi661
Love this genre of lofty vibes. ❤
@OverlandCommand
The only opening act Ive ever been happy with. Got a standing ovation on long island opening for ZZ TOp. Great night!~
@ryangillette5286
Saw them 8 years ago opening for ZZ Top. Blew me away
@WelshCeltic
I saw them opening for ZZ Top too.
@smashandcompany.bluesband
This is one of the best songs i've heard from last ten years!!!!
@geoffbridger4814
Best live band I have ever seen! BLEW MY MIND !!!
@captainquint25
Bluegrass and badass. The REAL country. Ged-Ged-Yeah.