Not One of Us
Outsiders Unveiled: Navigating the Depths of Stephin Merritt's 'Not One of Us'
Lyrics
It's only water
Water symbolizes tears shed by others, suggesting emotional experiences.
In a stranger's tear
Stranger's tear implies the emotions of someone unfamiliar or different.
Looks are deceptive
Appearances can be misleading; things may not be as they seem.
But distinctions are clear
Clear distinctions exist despite deceptive appearances.
A foreign body
Refers to an outsider or someone foreign in a particular context.
And a foreign mind
Foreign mind suggests different thoughts or perspectives.
Never welcome
Those who are different are unwelcome in a society lacking awareness.
In the land of the blind
Metaphorically, the blind represent those unaware or unwilling to see differences.
You may look like we do
Outwardly similar but not truly part of the group or community.
Talk like we do
Similarities in appearance and communication may be deceptive.
But you know how it is
Acknowledging the difficulty of understanding the outsider's experience.
You're not one of us
Emphasizes the exclusion and the declaration that the person is different.
Not one of us
Reiterates the message of not belonging to the established group.
No you're not one of us
Reaffirms the outsider status with a strong negation.
Not one of us
Repetition underscores the rejection and isolation.
Not one of us
Continued emphasis on the clear distinction from the group.
No you're not one of us
Final assertion of not being part of the collective.
There's safety in numbers
Safety found in conformity and unity within the group.
When you learn to divide
Division fosters a sense of security among those who conform.
How can we be in
Questioning the possibility of being inside the group without an external reference.
If there is no outside
Highlighting the necessity of an 'outside' for defining the 'inside.'
All shades of opinion
Various opinions contribute to an open-minded society.
Feed an open mind
The mind benefits from diverse perspectives, but not all values are acceptable.
But your values are twisted
Critiquing the distorted values of the outsider; a call to reconsider.
Let us help you unwind
Suggesting assistance in unraveling or understanding their values.
You may look like we do
Similarity in appearance and communication reiterated for emphasis.
Talk like we do
Repeated acknowledgment of apparent similarities but with an impending twist.
-But you know how it is
Reiteration of the challenges in understanding the outsider's perspective.
You're not one of us
Emphasizes again the exclusion from the established group.
Not one of us
Repeats the message of not belonging, strengthening the isolation.
No you're not one of us
Final confirmation of the outsider status.
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