Outshined

n an interview, Cornell said, "I've never really been biographical in my lyrics, so when I wrote a line like "I'm looking California and feeling Minnesota" from "Outshined", it just felt refreshing."Cornell on the song: I don't know how everyone else feels but I definitely go through periods of extreme self-confidence, feeling like I can do anything. Perhaps a fan will sense that, like in a performance, and the hero image creeps out. But then someone will say something, however insignificant, or I'll get something in my head and, all of a sudden, I'm plummeting in the opposite direction, I'm a piece of shit, and I really can't do anything about it. That's where "Outshined" comes from, and why I'll never consider myself a hero.

I always thought that "where the dogs are shedding" was actually "where the dogs are shitting"

"I'm looking California And feeling Minnesota"

One of the best lyrics ever.

Great song

I've read that this is about Cornell feeling "outshined" by his deceased friend, Andrew Wood (singer of Mother Love Bone). Apparently Andrew was, in Cornell's opinion, a superior lyricist, vocalist and performer and this was a song to perhaps vent a little frustration about it but also maybe as a - somehow - humbling acknowledgement.

No, it's "shedding" according to the lyrics booklet for Batmotorfinger

Man, I love this song. Cornell's voice is so awesome. I love the way he can hit those notes you thought you'd never hear again. I haven't heard singing like that since Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. Really awesome song.

Alda's right, it's "shitting". awesome song. i love the music in the chorus.

I fuckin love it when Chris shouts "Show me the power Child" fuck what a lyric and its so catchy and you just go along with Chris and you sympathize with him being outshined i think its from Chris's perspective and this is quite a personal song to him i feel and personally my fav SG song ever in FACT in my top 5 songs EVER!!

(It's about a preacher/priest etc etc losing his faith.)

I got up feeling so down I got off being sold out (Feels like it's all been a lie)

I've kept the movie rolling But the story's getting old now (He keeps up the preaching, but wants evidence, it's getting old to him)

I just looked in the mirror Things aren't looking so good I'm looking California And feeling Minnesota (He looks and see's a warm happy and sunny person, but feels cold like Minnesota)

So now you know, who gets mystified Show me the power child, I'd like to say That I'm down on my knees today (Telling God, so now you know i'm losing my faith, show me this power child you sent to save us, I'll even get down on my knees and pray)

It gives me the butterflies, gives me away Till I'm up on my feet again I'm feeling outshined (He feels a bit of the love of Christ inside, till he is able to stand on his own feet/faith again, he feels "otshined" by God and Christ, They have shown Him enough.)

Someone let the dogs out They'll show you where the truth is (Somebody let the people of sin out, the non-believers, which the bible calls "dogs" and they'll show you the truth so they say)

The grass is always greener Where the dogs are shedding (Because the grass is always better on the other side of the fence, where the dogs sin/play/party. . . they want him to some on over to their side)

I'm feeling that I'm sober Even though I'm drinking I can't get any lower Still I feel I'm sinking (He's falling for it, sin, and has fallen to a new low, as low as you can go, yet he gets lower. . . so he calls out to God to be shown the "power child" that he himself preaches about)

So now you know, who gets mystified Show me the power child, I'd like to say That I'm down on my knees today It gives me the butterflies, gives me away Till I'm up on my feet again I'm feeling outshined

(OR it could be about being jumked out on meth/horse, main lining, puking up, and the dope not taking effect anymore, take your pick :)

If it weren't for this song who knows who my favorite band would've been (probably some emo shit. ugh!!!) . I never really gave a rats ass about Soundgarden till i heard this on the radio, so i went out that night and bought the cd and the rest is history. this is just an all around awesome song. I can't pick a fav. Soundgarden song because there are just too many good ones (from all 3 of their major albums) but, this one really captures all the good qualities of Soundgarden, even Matt Cameron backing vocals and kick ass drum playing.