Lookin' In

Song details

Bad Religion original
Yes
First released
1993
First release
Recipe For Hate (album)
Songwriter
Greg Graffin

Lyrics

Lookin' In

Suddenly, it came to me, A potent dosage of reality, I saw myself in the broad daylight And it made me think about life. I'm not the kind of guy Who nods his head with closed eyes, I scoff at labels, I defy censuses And despise group mentality. All along I thought that this was only human, But I know now that I'm in the minority. I'm lookin' in... Now I think in relation to My fellow man and what he strives to do, We fail to see, there's no compromise, Our evolution is our demise. One day you may find that you are also one of me, A complex microcosm of the human race, Observing those around us, desiring to belong, Behind the guise of salvation we suffer along the way. We're lookin' in...

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63release versions
#84

84th most featured song

88documented shows
#81

81st most played song

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Song Interpretations

What do you think this song is about? Share your interpretation and explain your reasoning.

2

legacy memberFeb 16, 2005 · edited Sep 13, 2010

To me, these lyrics themselves are "a potent doses of reality": Most (serious) problems on earth are being caused and supported by the evolution of mankind; the more we progress, the closer we get to extinction. Realizing that, I also notice that only a few people seem to share this belief, and therefor, "I am in the minority" as well. Although I cling to the hope of finding my own "salvation" by not nodding "my he…

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To me, these lyrics themselves are "a potent doses of reality": Most (serious) problems on earth are being caused and supported by the evolution of mankind; the more we progress, the closer we get to extinction. Realizing that, I also notice that only a few people seem to share this belief, and therefor, "I am in the minority" as well.

Although I cling to the hope of finding my own "salvation" by not nodding "my head with closed eyes", I also have come to realize that this attitude doesn't provide me with a happy and joyful life. "Despising group mentality" only causes me to be by myself, "observing those around" me, and sometimes "desiring to belong". But instead, i just become "a microcosm of the human race" by looking in, looking inside of what i think is reality.

I do get benefit out of that, because I do progress in my thinking, but in the back of my head, I always remember that there is no way back: The more I learn, think and know, the less I hope for anything but extinction of myself and mankind.
legacy memberJul 11, 2004 · edited Sep 13, 2010
Lookin' in is about being able to express yourself without being misled by other opinions.