NeedToBreathe - The Outsiders Lyrics
Lyrics
Shortfalls and little sins
Close calls where no one wins
Stand tall but running thin
I'm wearing thin
Oh, why are we keeping score?
'Cause if you're not laughing
Who is laughing now?
I've been wondering if we start sinking
Could we stand our ground?
And through everything we've learned
We've finally come to terms
We are the outsiders
We are the outsiders
I'm not leaving without a fight
I've got my holster around my side
Just 'cause I'm wrong it don't make you right
No, you ain't right
Oh, why are we keeping score?
'Cause if you're not laughing
Who is laughing now?
I've been wondering if we start sinking
Could we stand our ground?
And through everything we've learned
We've finally come to terms
We are the outsiders
We are the outsiders
We are the outsiders
On the outside, you're free to roam
On the outside, we've found a home
On the outside, there's more to see
On the outside, we choose to be
Video
NEEDTOBREATHE - "The Outsiders"
Meaning & Inspiration
Arriving on December 10, 2013, NeedToBreathe's song "The Outsiders" quickly resonated with many, offering a powerful anthem for those who feel they don't quite fit the mold. At its heart, the song seems to explore the theme of finding identity and belonging outside the conventional expectations of the world. It doesn't shy away from the feeling of being set apart or different, instead framing this distinction not as a deficit, but as a source of strength and a marker of true self. This perspective shifts the narrative from being an outcast to being someone deliberately distinct, finding community and purpose among others who share this non-conformist spirit, presumably for reasons of deeper conviction or calling.
This theme finds deep roots within the framework of Scripture. The call to be an 'outsider' from the world's perspective is a consistent thread throughout the New Testament. The Apostle Paul urges followers not to conform to the pattern of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds in Romans 12:2, presenting a clear directive to live differently than the prevailing culture. Peter expands on this in 1 Peter 2:9-10, describing believers as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession," who have been "called... out of darkness into his wonderful light." This language inherently positions believers as distinct from the world they were called out of. Jesus himself prepared his followers for this feeling of being set apart, saying in John 15:19, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." The song's embrace of this 'outsider' status, finding unity and power in it, mirrors the biblical truth that our true citizenship is not of this world (Philippians 3:20), and our ultimate validation comes not from human approval but from God (Galatians 1:10). Thus, "The Outsiders" becomes more than just a song about not fitting in; it can be heard as an encouragement to embrace the unique identity and calling given by faith, finding solidarity and purpose in being set apart *for* something greater, aligning one's life with eternal truths rather than fleeting worldly standards. The track delivers this message with a raw energy and anthemic quality that makes the idea of being an 'outsider' feel less like a burden and more like a badge of honor, inspiring a sense of courage and conviction for those seeking to live a life authentically rooted in their faith, even when it means standing apart.