"The Outside" is a song by American rock band Boys Like Girls. The song was released on July 28, 2023, as the third single from their fourth studio album, Sunday at Foxwoods.
An "Outsiders Version" of the song was released on October 6, 2023, featuring 3OH!3, State Champs, The Summer Set, and The Ready Set. That version of the song peaked at number 24 on the Czech Republic Radio Airplay chart.
Background Speaking about the song, lead singer Martin Johnson stated: "20 years later, another outsider anthem about the same three best friends raised its hand. It's safe to say I'll always feel like I'm on the outside looking in. But I'll never be out there alone [...] whatever outside you call your own, raise 'em high and turn it up. This one's for you."
Composition "The Outside" was written by Martin Johnson and Sean Foreman. Johnson, along with Brandon Paddock and Danen Rector produced the track. Prior to the release of the song, he wrote it a few years back along with Foreman. Musically, the track is an upbeat pop punk song and is an ode to the band's early days growing up in the punk scene. According to Johnson in an interview with Alternative Press, the song was influenced by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "American Girl", citing how "absolutely nothing in the chorus has anything at all to do with being American lyrically, yet the payoff is just as potent without the double down." The song was mixed at Blackbird Studio in Nashville.
Outsiders Version On October 6, 2023, the band released an "Outsiders Version" of the song, featuring 3OH!3, State Champs, The Summer Set, and The Ready Set. Writing "The Outside" with Sean Foreman of 3OH!3, Johnson "loved" the idea of working on a new version with 3OH!3. After booking shows for the Speaking Our Language Tour, Johnson became close friends with Derek DiScanio from State Champs and brought up an idea about a collaboration. He also contacted Brian Logan Dales of The Summer Set and Jordan Witzigreuter of The Ready Set, ultimately leading to an "Outsiders Version".
Music video A music video for the song was first released on July 28, 2023. Another music video for the "Outsiders Version" of the song was released on October 6, 2023, featuring appearances from 3OH!3, State Champs, The Summer Set, and The Ready Set, which also includes footage from their Speaking Our Language Tour.
Track listing
Personnel Credits for "The Outside" adapted from digital liner notes.
Boys Like Girls Martin Johnson – lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, percussion Jamel Hawke – lead guitar, backing vocals Gregory James – bass guitar, backing vocals John Keefe – drums, backing vocals
Additional musicians Brandon Paddock – backing vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming Danen Rector – backing vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion, programming Naomi Cooke Johnson – backing vocals
Production Martin Johnson – producer, mixing, recording Brandon Paddock – producer, mixing, recording Danen Rector – producer, mixing, recording Matt Huber – mixing Brian Lucey – mastering
Charts +Chart performance for "The Outside (Outsiders Version)" Chart (2024) Peakposition
Release history + Release dates and formats for "The Outside" Region Date Format Version Label Various July 28, 2023 Digital download Original Fearless October 6, 2023 Outsiders Version
References