Think I plan on continuing the book review, maybe come back with new insights or ideas on that 100 or so pages of social commentary on the destructiveness of division and classism in America? Sike.
This post is reviewing the song “The Outsiders” by Needtobreathe, a Christian rock band.
While the song has literally no connection to the book (I checked, just so as not to make a fool of myself), it does deal with a similar theme–the divisions between people. The song opens with a line about the petty things human beings fall out over: “Short falls and little sins/close calls where no one wins.” One line that’s repeated throughout the song that underlines the theme of conflict between people or groups is “Why are we keeping score?” In the chorus of the song the singer identifies himself as part of an ostracized group, but in a way that claims that position in a more positive light–“We’ve finally come to terms/We are the Outsiders.”
The song has an upbeat tempo and an inspirational message to listeners who have ever felt cut off from the world around them or as if they were fighting a losing battle with the culture of today. Personally, I feel as though this song is an anthem both for the band itself and for Christians, whom I believe the song calls to stand in unity rather than be divided amongst ourselves, ‘keeping scores.’ At the same time, we are to set ouselves apart, as is reflected in the last two lines: “On the outside…we’ve found a home/On the outside..we chose to be.” Of course, interpretation depends on the listener so you can argue with me in the comments and I will politely ignore you, just like I ignore sources that don’t agree with me when I’m writing essays.
I highly reccommend this song, and the album it’s a title track for (Stones Under Rushing Water and Something Beautiful are particularly good tracks.) This band has an interesting sound and uses some less conventional instruments such as the mandolin. They also generally have deeper meanings to their songs, lyrics that you can really pick apart and analyze if you so fancy, something that makes my English Major heart happy. Music without poetry is detrimental to the heart…stop screaming if you have nothing to say…(@ you modern country music, surely there is a more vital and moving part of the human experience to immortalize than your devotion to your dog, truck, and beer.)
Goodbye friends I must water my plants and eat dinner before class.
Diary Of An Emotional Houseplant 