"Inside Looking Out" is a song by the American rock band Grand Funk Railroad. The lyrics depict the emotions and experiences of a prisoner who feels lonely and broken while serving time in jail. The protagonist is seeking solace and connection through love and affection. He longs for tender loving care to keep him sane in the oppressive environment he is trapped in. The walls and bars surrounding him symbolize his physical confinement, but he is determined not to seek sympathy from others. Instead, he desires a meaningful and intimate relationship to help him cope with the challenging and isolating circumstances. The lyrics also explore the hardships of working in prison, with references to pain, blisters, and the monotonous tasks like making burlap bags. The oats mentioned represent the unsatisfying and unfulfilling sustenance provided in jail, which compounds the protagonist's feelings of unhappiness. The refrain emphasizes the prisoner's desire for freedom and escape, referring to the substance known as "reefer," a slang term for marijuana. He believes that once his time is up, the walls and bars won't prevent him from accessing the comfort and relief he seeks from it. Overall, "Inside Looking Out" reflects the longing for connection, escape, and relief in the face of confinement and hardship. It showcases the struggle of a person trapped within the confines of a prison, both physically and emotionally.
