Outside

Catfish and the Bottlemen's song 'Outside' delves into the intricate dynamics of a relationship strained by distance and time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two people who share a deep connection but are often separated by circumstances. The opening lines, 'We let them knock like crazy / Cause I'd not seen her in months,' set the stage for a reunion filled with pent-up emotions and longing. The phrase 'for the craic though carried on' suggests that despite the challenges, they continue to find joy and humor in their interactions, highlighting the resilience of their bond.

The chorus, 'Cause there's nothing in the life I knew / That got through to me / But when you talk about nothing / You tend to lose me,' reveals a sense of disconnection that creeps in when the conversation lacks substance. This juxtaposition of deep emotional connection and moments of triviality underscores the complexity of their relationship. The repeated line, 'I just came along for the ride,' suggests a sense of passivity or resignation, as if the narrator is swept along by the tides of the relationship without fully steering its course.

The song also touches on the theme of nostalgia, with lines like 'I used to carry you through town / You used to smother me in lippy,' evoking memories of a more carefree time. However, the present reality is different, as indicated by 'Now if we ever get an hour together / It's like I'm on the outside.' This sense of being an outsider in one's own relationship adds a layer of melancholy to the song, making it a poignant exploration of love, distance, and the passage of time.