Outcast

Album: Memories of a Beautiful Disaster (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Durbin penned this song with Motley Crue lead guitarist Mick Mars and Swedish hard rock band Hardcore Superstar. Both acts also play on the track.
  • The song deals with bullying, but in a tongue-in-cheek way. Durbin explained: "Middle school through high school was when I got bullied most until I said, 'I'm not going to take it -- no more timid little James,' and I created an alter-ego for myself and became 'Crazy James.' I literally made people call me that. I put it on my dental records and had to change it recently. [Laughs] I finally got some dignity and some pride in myself when I finally decided this is who I am. I'm a freak, yeah. I'm crazy. I'm f---ing out of my mind and that's when I started getting serious about my music and my band and writing songs while I trained my voice to go high. This song really coincides with that crazy James s--t – 'You're the outcast, you cry when we all laugh, I'll be the one that you want, I'll be the outcast.'"
  • This is one of several tracks on Memories of a Beautiful Disaster inspired by Durbin's difficult experiences of being picked on during his school days. "The underlying theme of the album is bullying and being an outsider, because growing up, I wasn't the popular kid at school," Durbin explained to Billboard magazine. "I've heard from fans about how inspiring I am to their kids through singing covers on 'Idol,' and now I get to put out my record and give these people real emotion, stuff that I've gone through and someone to look up to."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.