Lyric discussion by ahlmann 

Cover art for The Outsider lyrics by A Perfect Circle

I like how the song puts you on the wrong the foot from the start, as you're thinking from the lyrics the outsider wants to understand the addict to be able to help him/her. As the lyrics progress, slowly you'll see that there is not much compassion for the addict, as he's being harshly judged which suggests total lack of understanding.

In the end it's not so much about the addict, but about the outsider looking at the addict as a threat to him/herself, never being able to bridge that gap from being the outsider to being a friend to able to help. The outsider might even be in a worse state than the addict, as he only cares about him/herself and the addict is a nuisance.

"if your drama proves sincere" so if the addict is actually telling the truth, and therefore NOT lying to himself, "do it somewhere far away from here", the outsider don't care if the addict kills himself as long as he/her is not bothered anymore by the addict.

sarcasm Thanks outsider for your help and understanding! /sarcasm

just look at your own life, most people are like this.

@ahlmann "just look at your own life, most people are like this."

Just look at this comment section! :D

@ahlmann I seriously doubt that anyone will read this being at the last comment was made like eight years ago but who knows I hope you guys do come across this. I’m guessing by a lot of the responses there aren’t very many addicts or alcoholics responding to what this song is about or this entire album for that matter. School is out in case you notice the 13th step is a term used in both alcoholics anonymous. 13th stepping is not sanction or suggested by either NA or AA & in most cases highly frowned upon. With the 13th...