The Outsider is a song by by Marina Diamandis, released under her previous stage name 'Marina and the Diamonds'. Appearing on her first studio album, The Family Jewels, it is the 8th track on the album.
The song was written alone, and co-produced by Marina, with Liam Howe credited as the main producer.
Background[]
On March 17, 2009, Marina shared the demo of The Outsider to her blog.[1] Months later on August 27, she shared a more finalised version.[2][3]
In 2010, when asked if she still felt like an outsider Marina told WalesOnline:[4]
❝ “I still feel an outsider, but I’ve accepted it. When I was younger, I felt it all the time. I always felt like there was something wrong with me. Part of it is I’m half Greek and I’ve moved around a lot and – maybe the other half is that I’m a weirdo! ❞
Trivia[]
- Marina made producer, Liam Howe, record over 480 vocal takes for the song.[5]
- In the track-by-track interview for the album, Marina called the song the "brother or sister of Obsessions."
Official Versions[]
| Version | Released on | Date | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ | Album [Inst.]
|
The Family Jewels | 15 Feb 2010 | 3:17 |
| Acoustic/Live | ||||
| Acoustic | 3:42 | |||
| Live | ITunes Live: London Festival '10 | 26 Jul 2010 | 3:23 | |
| Demos | ||||
| Demo | MySpace | 17 Mar 2009 | 4:10 | |
Lyrics[]
Differences between the original and demo have been italicised.
[Verse 1]
Feelin' like a loser, feelin' like a bum
Sittin' on the outside, observing the fun
Don't get on my bad side, I can work a gun
Now hop into the backseat, baby, I'll show you some fun
[Chorus]
These people are weird in here
And they're givin' me the fear
Just because you know my name
Doesn't mean you know my game
I look myself in the face
And whisper, "I'm in the wrong place"
Is there more to lose than gain
If I go on my own again?
[Post-Chorus]
On my own again
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside
[Verse 2]
People are connecting, don't know what to say
I'm good at protecting what they wanna take
Spilt the milk at breakfast, hit me double hard
And I grinned at you softly 'cause I'm a fuckin' wildcard
[Chorus]
These people are weird in here
And they're givin' me the fear
Just because you know my name
Doesn't mean you know my game
I look myself in the face
And whisper, "I'm in the wrong place"
Is there more to lose than gain
If I go on my own again?
[Post-Chorus]
On my own again
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside (Again, again)
[Bridge]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (Inside)
All I know is I cannot pretend
So I'm sittin' on the outside again (Inside)
[Chorus]
On my own again
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside (Again, again)
On my own again
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside (Again)
[Outro]
Inside, again
Inside, again
Inside, again
Inside, again
[Verse 1]
Feelin' like a loser, feelin' like a bum
Sittin' on the outside, observing the fun
Don't get on my bad side, I can work a gun
Now hop into the backseat, baby, I'll show you some fun
[Pre-Chorus]
All I know is that I cannot pretend
I'm sittin' on the outside again
I ain't got the energy to blend
So, I'm sittin' on the outside again
[Chorus]
These people are weird in here
And they're givin' me the fear
Just because you know my name
Doesn't mean you know my game
I look myself in the face
And whisper, "I'm in the wrong place"
Is there more to lose than gain
If I go on my own again?
[Post-Chorus]
On my own again
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside
[Verse 2]
People are connecting, don't know what to say
I'm good at protecting what they wanna take
Spilt the milk at breakfast, hit me double hard
And I grinned at you softly 'cause I'm a fuckin' wildcard
[Pre-Chorus]
All I know is that I cannot pretend
I'm sittin' on the outside again
I ain't got the energy to blend
So, I'm sittin' on the outside again
[Chorus]
These people are weird in here
And they're givin' me the fear
Just because you know my name
Doesn't mean you know my game
I look myself in the face
And whisper, "I'm in the wrong place"
Is there more to lose than gain
If I go on my own again?
[Post-Chorus]
On my own again
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside
[Bridge]
(Smart, dumb)
(Dull, fun)
(Fat, thin)
(Lose, win)
(Smart, dumb)
(Dull, fun)
(Fat, thin)
(Lose, win, win)
[Chorus]
On my own again
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside, (Again), On my own again
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside the outsider (On my own again)
Inside
[Outro]
Inside (Again)
Inside (Again)
Inside (Again)
Inside (Again)
Credits[]
Personnel[]
- Vocals, piano, casio vl-tone - Marina Diamandis
- Synths, philicorda, jews harp, santoor - Liam Howe
Technical[]
- Writer - Marina Diamandis
- Producers - Liam Howe for This Much Talent, Marina Diamandis
- Mixer - Liam Howe at The Ivory Tower
- Engineer, programmer - Liam Howe
- Recorded at - The Ivory Tower
- Master - Guy Davie at Electric Mastering, London
- Publisher - Warner Chappell Music Publishing Ltd
Registration[]
On ASCAP/BMI the song does not show up when searched, but is registered twice on GEMA,[6] the reregistration on GEMA lists Marina's own publishing company Primadonna Girl Limited, and was likely done to have legal ownership over her songs.
On GEMA the song is registered as Outsider (Note: ASCAP deletes the beginning "The" in titles, however Marina's other songs on GEMA keep the "The".)
References[]
- ↑ 17 Mar 2009: "New track 'The Outsider' on her Myspace." #41
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090830235112/http://marinaandthediamonds.com/2009/08/
- ↑ 27 Aug 2009: "Marina's put up a new version of The Outsider on her Myspace, on first listen I think I prefer it to the version from ages ago - it has a lot more oomph." #150
- ↑ https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/knew-id-famous---marina-1933260
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8337991.stm
- ↑ https://online.gema.de/werke/search.faces?lang=en
ISWC: T-902.149.751-8 GEMA work no.: 10728221-001 GEMA work no.: 10728221-003
