Story Behind The Song

I was taking singing lessons and my teacher was having a student recital. As a bet with myself I decided that I wanted to write and perform a brand new song - and I only had 3 weeks to do it. I also decided that it should be harmonically diverse and the underpinning chords for each line shouldn't just be the same old 3 chords over and over. I had the lines: "shot from the weekend like a cannonball pick myself up and see where monday falls" and I also had the intro guitar riff. From there I wrote the lyrics and the music in tandem. As I recorded it I added a bridge and used keyboards and synthesisers to add some extra melody and texture to the song. The keyboard melody at the start is both a soft synth and a harmonica played in harmony with each other.

Song Description

This is essentially about the rush of modern life. We all go screaming through life without much chance to enjoy it. "Outside Looking In" refers to that kind of out of body experience we all sometimes have, where we can suddenly feel that we are just watching our lives zoom by, and not really participating in it. The chorus is a plea for us the relax and enjoy the ride.

Lyrics

Outside Looking In

Written by: John McDermott

Shot from the weekend like a cannon ball,
pick myself up and see where Monday falls.
another week that slips and crawls
Five days going up the walls
Through the fog of the work day grind,
I catch glimpses of roses and wine,

Chorus
roll down the windows and let the air flow in
Pull up a chair sit down and be a friend
Tell me something that will make me grin
I'm on the outside looking in
I'm on the outside looking in

Must we do all the things that we must,
Wait for history to come to dust
Pull the rug out from under us
Toss a match and watch it all combust
Through the blur of passing time
I catch glimpses of roses and wine

Bridge
hey- I'm asking you
hey -I'm asking you
hey - I'm asking you

Chorus repeat


copyright John McDermott Macca Records