The Outsider [Tommy Shaw]

The Outsider
Written by Tommy Shaw and Terry Thomas
Lead Vocals by Tommy Shaw

Jimmy was the son of a sailor
Another lonely military brat
Norfolk, Virginia, Vallejo
Bags always packed

Now his mother was always out drinking
On midnight maneuvers of her own
Jimmy would sit there and stare at the clock
And one night she never came home

That's how he learned the facts of life
From a mother and a sailor's wife
Now he's out there somewhere on his own

He's always been an

Outsider
Taking on the world alone
Such an outsider
And it really doesn't matter who's right or wrong
'Cause sooner or later he's gone
Outsider

Jimmy tried his luck in the Navy
To see the world just like his old man
But too many rules and too many fools
Spoilt his plans

Now he's driving a truck through the Southland
Pulling anything that money can buy
He knows how it feels to fall asleep at the wheel
So he takes a little pill to get by

He's living on borrowed time
He doesn't see the danger signs
Now he's out there somewhere on his own
He's always been an

Outsider
Taking on the world again
Just an outsider
And it really doesn't matter whose side he's on
'Cause sooner or later he's gone

Ooh sweet isolation
Aah the perfect situation
Outsider outsider

He's living on the border line
Living in a different time
Now he's out there somewhere on his own
He's always been an outsider

Interpretation

After a childhood moving from place to place as a sailor's son, it was hard to make friends.  His mother left when he was young. He tried the Navy but couldn't follow the rules. He drives a truck alone, still without friends.