Official studio version
It's all over now, the things we had
I ain't sorry, girl, I just feel mad
You walk real pretty and you talk real fine
But night after night babe I'm on the line
My life's the same story, again and again
I'm on the outside looking in (I'm on the outside looking in)
Well every day just brings the same
You go out looking for some strange new games
Pretty soon them games ain't fun anymore
And it's something else that you're looking for
You've got all the answers, you and your friends
And I'm on the outside looking in (I'm on the outside looking in)
Yes I'm on the outside looking in
Whoa!
Whoa!
Now you've got the pretty things you want
The sins of the angels baby they will haunt
Those pretty eyes that they all adore
But baby not me, not anymore
I do what I want to,
I'll be what I am
I'm on the outside looking in (I'm on the outside looking in)
Yeah I'm on the outside looking in (I'm on the outside looking in)
Baby yes I am (I'm on the outside looking in)
Ah baby yes I am (I'm on the outside looking in)
Well baby I'm on the outside looking in
OUTSIDE LOOKING is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 2010 album The Promise. The above lyrics are for that officially released studio version of OUTSIDE LOOKING as released on The Promise.
The title of OUTSIDE LOOKING IN maybe have been inspired by The Animals' 1966 single INSIDE LOOKING OUT. Bruce Springsteen was greatly influenced by The Animals, and around the time he was recording Darkness On the edge Of Town, he was frequently covering their 1965 hit IT'S MY LIFE in concert, and he even considered it for inclusion on Darkness On the edge Of Town (see the live 12 Dec 1975 version for more details). Springsteen also performed WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE once in late 1976.
The Promise is a Bruce Springsteen album that was released on 16 Nov 2010 as part of The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story box set, and separately as a 2-CD set. The album was also issued on a limited edition 3-LP set pressed on 180-gram vinyl.
The Promise is a collection of 22 previously-unreleased songs from the Darkness On The Edge Of Town recording sessions. Depending on their level of completion back in 1977-1978, some were only remastered, some were overdubbed with 2010 vocals or music, and some were completely re-recorded in 2010. The album was mixed by Bob Clearmountain.
Side 1:
Side 2:
Side 3:
Side 4:
Side 5:
Side 6:
Prior to the release of The Promise in 2010, one studio take of OUTSIDE LOOKING IN had been circulating on bootlegs. It was recorded in June 1977 at Atlantic Studios in New York City, NY. It's a very rough early take. See the unofficial studio version for more details.
In the handwritten lyrics notebook that was reproduced in The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story box set, there's a reproduction of a demo tape inlay that lists tracks recorded at Atlantic Studios, including OUTSIDE LOOKING IN. The tape is dated 01 Jun 1977.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN was performed off-tour on 07 Dec 2010 at Carousel House in Asbury Park, NJ, during the taping of the "Songs From The Promise" webcast. The song was played twice.
As far as it's known, no artist has recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's OUTSIDE LOOKING IN.
Thanks Claudio Dirani.
If you have any corrections or additional info, please contact me via the below form or by email: .
List of available versions of OUTSIDE LOOKING IN on this website:
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN [Official studio version]
