Hear foot steps creek the floor
The shadows give away
Someone outside the door
Won’t let em in
Life damaged gives to crime
A run down broke machine
That steals your piece of mind
Before you know it’s gone
Lay
Down
Wait
Silence burning on your tongue
Keep us separate, sullen, dumb
Hiding in the darkness under
Boiling to the surface, something
A looking in view too long on the outside
Desperate plans make sense in a low life
A looking in view too long on the outside
Desperate plans make sense in a low life
These things I hate in you
Also reflect it seems
Distortion laced with spite
Teach you outta me
Lay
Now
Lay
Hiding in the darkness under
Boiling to the surface, something
Crawling on your skin discomfort
Makes you break, run, stumble, fall
A looking in view too long on the outside
Desperate plans make sense in a low life
A looking in view too long on the outside
Desperate plans make sense in a low life
It’s why you never tell me (what’s on your mind)
It’s why you never tell me (what’s on your mind)
It’s why you never tell me (what’s on your mind)
It’s why you never tell me (what’s on your mind)
A looking in view too long on the outside
Desperate plans make sense in a low life
A looking in view too long on the outside
Desperate plans make sense in a low life
It’s why you never tell me (what’s on your mind)
Exploring Alienation and Inner Struggle
“A Looking In View” by Alice In Chains dives deep into the turmoil of alienation and the darker corners of the human psyche. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone trapped on the periphery, observing life from the outside and grappling with feelings of isolation. The haunting imagery—footsteps on creaking floors, shadows, and discomfort—evokes a sense of constant unease and vulnerability. The refrain, “A looking in view too long on the outside,” captures the pain of being disconnected from others, while desperate actions begin to make sense in a world that feels harsh and unforgiving.
Mirror Reflections and Emotional Distance
A strong theme of reflection runs through the song, as the narrator acknowledges traits they despise in others that also exist within themselves. The closing lines about never sharing what’s truly on one’s mind highlight the struggle to communicate and connect, reinforcing the barriers that keep individuals isolated, even from those closest to them.
Song Credits
- Artist: Alice In Chains
- Songwriters: Jerry Cantrell, William DuVall
- Release Year: 2009
- Label: Virgin/EMI