Outside Looking In Again [Dennis DeYoung]

Outside Looking In Again
Written by Dennis DeYoung
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung

It's New Year's Eve again
I fear the resolution
One more year awaits by the door
Rumors and regrets of no win situations
Standing here tonight I'm so unsure

Only yesterday I greeted each tomorrow
Hungry for the chance to touch the sky
But even in the best of times I was all alone
Facing the crossroads
Trying' to find my way back home

Outside looking in again
Outside sails against the wind
All the time I wasted all the scattered dreams
All the precious moments they keep staring
Back at me

Ten years come and gone
Like blowing out a candle
The fire dies out but smoke still fills the air
Restless with the time
I've wondered in the waiting
How could I have been so unaware

Now I'm outside looking in again
Outside sails against the wind
We had something special I tried to make you see
And when it finally ended
I know you never thought you'd be
Outside looking in once again

I've tried to deny it, but what can I do
I look in the mirror
Lord I know it's true

And I'm outside looking in again
Outside sails against the wind
I'm outside, outside again

All at once it's New Year's Eve
Every sign keeps on telling me
I'm outside looking in once again
Once again

And I'm outside looking in again
Outside sails against the wind

Interpretation

Many people make resolutions going into a new year of things they intend to do or change, and most of those get broken. Many people also reflect on the year that just past.  If it's a year of disappointment, it can be nice to think of making a fresh start, or it can make the new year ahead seem overwhelming.  After many years of disappointment, the yearning for adventure and challenge can give way to frustration and diminished hope.  In a relationship, you might look back and realize how blind you were to mistakes, missed opportunities, or warning signs that led to the relationship ending. Both people might find themselves outside looking in at all the people that seem to have it all together.