Meaning of "From the Outside" by Real Friends

The lyrics of "From the Outside" by Real Friends express the conflicting emotions and struggle of maintaining a facade of normalcy while dealing with internal turmoil. The narrator discusses the act of swallowing their feelings and pretending to be fine, highlighting the cracks on the ceiling as a symbol of the hidden flaws and vulnerabilities. Despite knowing their flaws internally, they have not let anyone see them. The narrator uses alcohol and pills as coping mechanisms to temporarily relieve their pain and drown out their emotions. The choice to fill their glass represents their decision to self-medicate and escape reality, even though they are aware that it is only a temporary fix.

The song touches on the feeling of being trapped, demonstrated by the imagery of empty orange bottles that redefine rock bottom. These empty bottles symbolize the failed attempts to find solace and escape from the internal struggles. The hangman's broken lantern represents the search for answers and solutions, suggesting that the process of seeking help or understanding becomes increasingly futile.

The repetition of the phrase "I seem fine" emphasizes the disconnect between the narrator's external appearance and their internal state. They feel sick on the inside, indicating deep emotional pain or mental anguish that is not visible to others. The pill's temporary fix alludes to the use of medication to mask their true emotions and temporarily alleviate their internal distress.

The lyrics also showcase a sense of hopelessness and a lack of motivation to change. The narrator questions why they should bother getting up or getting out of their current state. This reflects a feeling of being weighed down by their struggles, with a sense of coldness and emptiness pervading their emotions.

Overall, "From the Outside" explores the dichotomy between appearances and internal struggles, as well as the use of temporary fixes to cope with emotional pain. It sheds light on the difficulties of opening up to others and the search for a genuine solution to their struggles.