Therapist Reacts to The Outsider by A Perfect Circle

Therapist delves into the powerful lyrics of "Outsider" by A Perfect Circle, exploring themes of addiction and struggle from an outside perspective. Discover how true support requires us to step inside someone's soul instead of just their sole. This analysis offers insights into the complexities of addiction and the importance of empathy in helping those we care about.
#aperfectcircle
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* Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes. Not intended as medical or therapeutic advice, or to evaluate, assess, ameliorate, modify, adjust, diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease, condition, disability, problem, dysfunction, or disorder.

[@Bipolarbear1221]

This whole album is about addiction. Thirteenth step! Amazing listen

[@spoopmagoo]

It’s my favorite album of all time honestly

[@lottt86]

I hate when people keep suggesting to reactors to start a concept album in the middle of it.

[@eyespyyourspy1328]

​@@lottt86 it's like reactors listening to only 1 Pink Floyd track when the entire album tells the story. You can't understand a single from a Pink Floyd album as the song bleed into each other as a continuance of the story

[@perrycleese5987]

I was going to say just this, a fine reaction but without the context of the whole album is necessarily limited, which is a shame . I highly recommend that this album is listened to in order. If anyone reads this (acceptably unlikely) I very much encourage you to listen from track 1 and let it play ❤

[@Bipolarbear1221]

@@eyespyyourspy1328 imagine going through life only hearing Floyd's greatest hits! Lol 😂 occasionally they'd throw out a "Money" or "Comfortably Numb" that can stand alone but when you listen to it in the album experience you can find a completely different meaning to the song. It just hits different

[@warspyder7406]

Mr favorite APC song. The video takes away from it so much.

[@Caldor4]

The following quote from Maynard describes some of the concepts used on the "Thirteenth Step" album, including the idea behind the song "The Outsider." "The songs on Thirteenth Step for the most part are about the various processes of addiction, behavioural addictions, chemical addictions, and each song is kind of sung from a different perspective. I've a lot of friends who've gone through a lot of these situations. Some of the songs are sung from the perspective of the actual drug, from the perspective of someone who has realized that they have an issue or a problem, also from the perspective of a person who realizes that if they don't do something they're going to die, a song from the perspective of a person who is in denial about a loved one, dying right before their eyes. And in the case of "The Outsider", it's sung from the perspective of a person who doesn't understand at all what their friend is going through, what their loved one is going through, and they think that it's more like a sprained ankle; they can just kind of walk it off."

[@Slythotful]

Thank you for this

[@ideitbawxproductions1880]

I love the story about why the video became a Bikini Bandits short film. The band tried to get a few different directors to make a video for it, but every director seemed to miss the point of the song, and the band rejected every pitch. Finally, Maynard just said, "Fuck it, tits and guns!"

[@bubbasboyngirl]

Everything Maynard writes is pure gold!

[@damonpeters900]

Judith by a perfect circle is a banger with so much emotion behind the lyrics. Has been a favourite of mine for years.

[@MangledRemainz]

Feel so bad for his mother, Judith being so religious but being judged by her peers because of her issue. Out casting her and she staying true to her religious beliefs even when being shunned makes me feel for her.

[@florentinaguggenheimer6557]

Same here. Amazing and deep song. I miss Paz too.

[@JamesVestal-dz5qm]

Do Thirteenth step! The package and the noose! When I was 13 years old playing RuneScape and 13'th step just came out, I knew a 27 year old recovering heroin addict living at his parents house after two years in prison. The Noose was a song he related to deeply.

[@nickdanger108]

The Package is still one of my favorite songs of all time

[@spoopmagoo]

That song is a forever favorite of mine, and that album is my favorite album of all time

[@adampindell]

Both are absolutely amazing songs! But then, the whole album was, as was "Mer de noms"!

[@robertjones4361]

"The desire to be right inhibits the connection".......That is absolutely magical, holy shit, how true!! Oh and man oh man what an effin voice!!

[@Texaszebra82]

Three Libras is so beautiful from A Perfect Circle. I listen to it when I feel unheard. I don't know if that is what it is about but it's so beautifully made.

[@truckinleprechaunscottcask9747]

When I was doing drugs, my family turned their backs on me. I was the outsider for about 5 years. Thankfully I've been clean going on 31 years. August 30, 1993 is what I call my reborn date. I have mended the relationships with my family and live a life clean and free of drugs. The temptation will always be there, however I know what the cost is. I never wanna go back to feeling so alone, and unwanted.

[@Bipolarbear1221]

When I was doing the steps, the phrase "how do you go about making you're amends to the dead" was constantly haunting me. Congrats on your rebirth! Amazing

[@truckinleprechaunscottcask9747]

@@Bipolarbear1221, those words are so true. I have no doubt they were haunting you. After an overdose and going to the er. I was told the next time will be my death. It was a hard dose of reality, one I'm thankful to live through. Thank you for the encouraging words.

[@dennycochran5323]

Yep. According to Maynard, the "Outsider" is about those that judge a loved one's difficulties with Depression/Addiction w/judgement and a lack of understanding.

[@leostarfire79]

You should really check the video of this exact song, but song… “Live at Red Rocks.” The album was called Stone & Echo. I listed to the album every day for like a year straight. I’m a HUGE fan of Maynard. My favorite band is Tool. A Perfect Circle would probably also make my top 5. Both bands are awesome. You know, Maynard is also in a THIRD band, Puscifer. Love your channel! I’ve been following for quite some time! I don’t think I’ve ever commented though… I *think* I do similar work that you do, except I’m a pagan priest! Thanks for all the videos! Blessed Be my friend! ;)

[@JasenHeffner]

Puscifer-the humbling river. One of my go to songs when I'm down.

[@emerje0]

Now to do Maynard's other other band Puscifer and the song "The Humbling River", it's about overcoming obstacles with teamwork rather than brute force. An incredible song.

[@skhunter4277]

Really enjoy your reactions and content! Thanks for what you do!

[@skyrat3816]

Watching others repeatedly self sabotage is one thing, it's when ourselves who're on the sidelines and watching our own impulsive behaviour. Knowing how Maynard writes, I'd say it can go both ways with the songs he's involved in and he does it a fair bit in A Perfect Circle. Where as Tool is more about him self reflecting.

[@teamfreakshow13]

so glad I found these videos! Thank you for continuing to do them

[@jamesbell8861]

I hadn't thought about this in that perspective before ... Thank You.

[@nickdanger108]

Yes! So glad you discovered this band

[@michaelbelshe8521]

A beautiful analogy. In my own life, your analogy made me think of the connection, and constant in my face I have with homeless people. How everything you said actually pertains to them as well as far as our empathy is concerned... We see a person struggling, and instead of trying to figure it out, and figure out how to help them or why they're homeless. Which of course is a whole array of different reasons, we just charge them as some kind of a monster. We see their struggle and we think "I would never do that." We never consider what got them there, we just judge them. And amongst a lot of us it's a very cruel judgement. When you have to face them like I do everyday as a "not so rich person" it can be very eye opening. Empathy it seems is a shortcoming in humanity. As always your insights are amazing! Thanks doc!

[@rodgersmith6891]

Love your channel

[@game_4_growth]

I'd love to see you do Gravity off this album. That song saved my life.

[@brandonmccarver6800]

Just discovered this YT channel. Omg this idea is sooo amazing! I love it!

[@wesleymartinez6651]

I really feel this song.

[@adampadilla74]

Great Reaction! People need compassion, not judgement.

[@woundsofthecrisis]

subbed, i listened to this cd on repeat for atleast 2 months in a portable cd player as i skate boarded around my town when it 1st came out

[@Dexiray]

woah, you never fails to shine a new light on the songs I enjoy. Keep doing more MJK, maybe even Nick CAve in the future.

[@MREiTiri]

Omg 😳 another great content 😍 loving it 💙 very interesting 🌊

[@Doomstuff82]

As someone who pretty recently started therapy. I really enjoy your content. Thank you

[@dennisbarker5986]

Glad to see you reacting to apc , got to see them at redrocks this year , amazing show

[@andrewcorrigan9880]

Love Maynard, A Perfect Circle, your analysis and the lacy top Ms Palmby. :) Keep it up and enjoy!

[@TheMajestyD]

Top favorite bands of all time. Definitely need to listen more

[@DavesIslandLife]

Definitely need more A Perfect Circle! You should also check out his other band Puscifer! You should check out their songs "The River", "Grand Canyon", and "Momma Sed"!

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

"UPGrade" as well.

[@ShavidDerf]

As a therapist, i think you would enjoy The Nurse Who Loved Me😊

[@adampindell]

What a great little tune!

[@badmotorbreath5206]

She's got everything I need, pharmacy keys 😊

[@Bipolarbear1221]

When this CD came out I was in the hospital for about a week, i was on morphine. I listened to this constantly on my CD Walkman. That song really messed with me. It was funny

[@toodrunktotastethischicken]

Good song, but not one he wrote, so not really the same if you were wanting to recommend a Maynard song. I do agree though.

[@rodpadgett415]

Now that was a bonafide therapy session! I feel so much better about myself! I can hardly wait for the next therapy session.

[@susiejo143]

Yay!!! I listen to this nearly every day❤ video is 🙄

[@nikverschuren4291]

Massive tool fan. Maynard makes me teel things no other male or female (singer does). He is the most organic, story teller, singer i will ever hear. A real piece of art. I heard this song after i stopped drinking, 1 week later. And i cried constantly during the song. I almost started drinking again, but after i heard this song i felt stronger than ever. Alcohol wont take me over, ever and i mean ever again. So for me Maynard was the outsider, regarding my alcoholic problem then.

[@F13fan]

Great jam. Definitely do more Perfect Circle. Also look into highly suspect & the amity affliction, love to hear your thoughts

[@heatseekerx51]

Your hair/outfit combo in this video is very lovely. Also, I've enjoyed this song for decades, and as a kid I was kinda shocked by the ostensible message of the song, which you went into detail about. Though as a young teen, the deeper themes of Tool & APC tended to go over my head.

[@xxkittkattxx1230]

I lost my best friend to overdose. The last time I saw her in person, I told her, "I love you so much and know you are so much more than this, but I cannot walk this path with you while you do this to yourself. Just know, the second you are ready to get sober, I will walk every step of that journey with you, no matter how difficult it is. I have my kid and job to protect (I'm a nurse). Until then, I'm still a phone call away if you need me". We spoke on the phone almost daily until the end....I wish there was more I could have done, I miss her every day. But, at least I'm still connected to her daughter. To others going through a similar situation, it's okay to place boundaries, but don't cut your loved one out. You never know when their or your last day may be. You don't want your last words to be hate filled. ❤

[@HeartSupport]

From runner12: @xxkittkattxx1230 I commend you for the support and encouragement you gave your friend. Trying to help someone with addiction is so difficult and exhausting. Your words to your friend were beautiful and your message about our words is so important. Thank you so much for sharing your story!

[@HeartSupport]

From Micro: @xxkittkattxx1230 You were a good friend to them. Thank you for sharing these reminders too, of how important and *okay* it is to set boundaries when we need it. Seeing someone we love being in so much pain can push us to try to save them absolutely, but this attempt can be met with resistance over and over... and leading to burning yourself out. Until one realizes that healing cannot happen *without* the person in pain, and no one's job should ever be to save someone from themselves. The initial decision, at the very least, has to happen within the person struggling, and from there it is possible to walk through this journey with them. To be an ally through the adversity, while following the same direction together. Having struggled with suicidal thoughts for a significant part of my life, I had to realize how much I couldn't wait for someone to save me, because this strategy was unhealthy and was a way for me to justify not trying. My pain needed to be heard, but there is this inner child in me that had the tendency, over and over, to find "the" person who would save me from myself. I was terrified about the idea of learning to be my very first ally, and the fact that without me, healing couldn't occur. It's a daily work, and sometimes there are setbacks, but it definitely allows me to embrace friendships and family differently. You can be proud of yourself for acknowledging when boundaries where necessary, for the loving way you communicated it, and for leaving the door open to your friend until the very end. You have shown them love, care, patience, all in a genuine an unconditional way. You were such a good friend to them, and there is no doubt that deep inside they saw you, they saw how much your presence was valuable, they saw your beautiful, caring heart. :heart:

[@vaughnnewman8903]

Great album and my 2nd favorite APC album behind Mer de Noms from a genius that surrounds himself with a ton of talent in all his bands; love him in all his faces/phases and voices.

[@user-ik7uw7gh7e]

The Package is a killer tone to react too

[@adampindell]

GIVE-THIS-TO-ME!!!

[@saturnus2112]

😇

[@mikem1457]

I bought this album on release date. Today I learned they made a music video for it.

[@mori9060]

I listened to this album repeatedly while unsuccessfully trying to kick opiates. I finally managed to kick and get clean. 10 some years later and I’m still good. Sometimes I’ll relisten when I need a reminder what kind of hell withdrawal is.

[@eduardocastillofranzoy2764]

The noose from this álbum!

[@kennethriddle433]

Another song by them would be absolutely great to have a therapist react to. It's called Feathers, off the album after this one. It's literally about therapy.

[@Big_Mk]

Me haces mucha gracia

[@KLRCory]

Passive next

[@Budsandsuds75]

It's cool she does a song you listen too for many years and you got the jist of a song but she does a deep dive into the meaning.

[@jamesbanks5291]

The album this is on is Called Thirteenth Step and is written as a struggle with addiction.

[@MangledRemainz]

I believe this song is about of a friend (Outsider) seeing a friend or someone close being suicidal.

[@jasonkart1651]

Love the channel. Please do For Joe and Chalk Outlines by Ren. Especially Chalk Outlines. You will resonate with it quite a bit.

[@davidwinter3615]

The NOSE is a great, lesser known song by them and very deep

[@toodrunktotastethischicken]

Remember to keep it clean

[@jmitchell7364]

APC has some great songs to analyze. Like 3 Libras or Judith

[@heatseekerx51]

Other sings from this album I can't recommend enough: 'Weak and Powerless', 'Blue (made me cry the first time), & 'The Nurse Who Loved Me",.

[@davidmor9276]

Loving your reactions and thoughts. You need to do Five Finger Death Punch "Gone Away" and "Wrong Side of Heaven"

[@ifadetogray]

I am watching this in real time play out in someone I love.

[@LegitRavven]

I always thought this song was talking about yourself in the third person, but looking at it from a loved one’s perspective is super interesting.

[@dannysuladie4867]

Please do Gravity..!!!

[@jaredpratt3927]

You should check out Sleeping Beauty ... it's off their first album Mer De Noms.

[@scrinbot]

The Outsider. Double meaning about a person standing Outside judging an Outsider.

[@resqcreeper2]

you should react to La Dispute, they have really good lyrics, the song A Letter would be a good one

[@user-np2zo8ft6t]

condemnation of anyone's actions reflects

[@D4nztehdark]

For me this song has always been about me trying to fit in and failing. I’m the outsider

[@protoclone138]

You have got to do VnV Nation: Further

[@PWARLOL]

Im not 100% sure on how i feel about this analogy yet but thought i would dump it down: I feel like the outsider is the addict, skirting on the outside of functioning while self destructing. There is a wall that is either imagined or invisible between them and the one deviating is placing themselves further and further outside of that imaginary wall. That wall could be partially constructed from either perspective but there is some interesting imagery to play with there...

[@gtstv551]

Can you Do a video for "kindred" by a perfect circle. i think people need to be aware of that song. your awesome.

[@charlessebastian9217]

The album is called 13 steps!

[@Big_Mk]

The land of the free

[@gaberevetta7580]

Love your channel and what u do for mental health as well. Doomed by I prevail is a great and deep song you should check out

[@DeuceTreyz]

Chinchilla - 1:5 released Would be really nice to see her on the channel. Thanks for today's vid

[@johnrotten4613]

This chick gets it.

[@cwardfilms]

I’m just waiting for you to do more NF and start your Emo deep dive, lol I suggest starting with senses fail, the used, and Silverstein

[@cynical_rd]

MJK.. today's most influential heyoka.. embrace his efforts to help you see the foundations that your parents didn't care enough to teach.

[@adampindell]

Fun fact, Maynard played the store clerk in the video 😅

[@franciscoibarra7965]

Have you heard Jenny from Nothimg More? Pretty straight forward song as far as lyrics go, but very powerful, especially the video. I come from a long line of addicts. Been definitely a challenge to not follow suit.

[@kaze7781]

Hey. I have been watching your music reactions and love them. I don’t know if this will ever be read but I have a song that deeply resonated with me. And probably many others out there. Korn - tearjerker Might be interesting to listen to and react.

[@felipecampos3045]

Hello, check out "eat the elephant" as well, great song by APC

[@RichMorrow-ef7yd]

People cannot fix themselves unless they look in the mirror, and hate what they have become, and want to be the best you you can be.

[@jaimeecherivel2927]

This album which the song comes from is called The 13th Step, a reference to the 12 Step program. Most of the songs deal with different perspectives of recovery and eventually relapse, which most people do. The 13th Step is relapse and using all over again.

[@zachw2538]

this was my jam at karaoke

[@MC-ep8cu]

yes more maynard please

[@MrGreendayzed]

the song is about someone who has no idea what a s*icidal person is going through and them being "why you being sad? have you tried not to? don't bother me with your issues"

[@geraldhoover9776]

👍

[@florentinaguggenheimer6557]

Oh man the Bikini Bandits!!! I have this DVD. It's priceless lol

[@DjGn0m3]

One of my favorite tracks from A Perfect Circle. This song is one of that reminds me of one of my best friends who started using drugs and ruined their life. It is still really hard not to try to help them even though I know they won't change. Check out Auger - My Guardian if you have time.

[@Betsone_]

I just removed myself from someone that is going through this… My Ptsd can’t handle that anymore

[@armandomacias8403]

based on Maynard’s own explanation of this song you nailed it

[@Gentlemangamer85]

You really need to watch Linkin Park - Given Up Live In Clarkston

[@Aftermost3590]

Please check out Hickory Creek by Whitechapel. The whole album is therapy gold.

[@elranas8152]

Orestes next please !

[@gumorenos]

Try Judith by APC and Wings pt 1 and 2 by Tool. It's very interesting how Maynard's grief evolves.

[@user-J.RPoole]

Check out Puscifer, "Conditions of My Parole".

[@alanmilanez4896]

Tool - Pushit next, abusive relashionship

[@AndrewTheVikings]

You should react to the band Loathe and their song, "Is it Really You?"

[@SoulTripChuck]

Please do a combination of Tool's Jimmy, then APC's Judith then Wings for Marie/10,000 days. tells the story of Maynard's mother's tragedy and how it affected him, his trying understand her perspective then his introspection after she passes away. Its an exercise in processing grief and selfishness. (i sent a donation)

[@yosshy4774]

Watching the video takes away "something" from the song, glad you focused on the lyrics.

[@MichelleHortonShellieBeans]

❤❤❤ Maynard James Keenan

[@Andrew-ms1bq]

I feel the opposite when it comes to being the Outside. This outsider strikes me as someone that has gone to the mat for them. The outsider is watching a friend totally self distruck and try as you might there's nothing you can do, so as a last ditch effort you go 120% tough love cause you gotta call the bluff before the suicidal imbecile gets too deep into that destructive persona and fulfills the profecy. It might cost you the friendship but you could save the person. I've actually been in that situation before on several occasions. You owe it to them to be honest and give it to them as such. That hurts to hear and some shit will ensure, but if that's your homeboy or homegirl you fickin owe it to them. They usually grow to respect it down the road, but not all of them. Sometimes you gotta hit someone with a sledgehammer to get their attention (figuratively speaking of course)

[@Suddenly-Eggs]

My friend broke up with me his girlfriend of 5 years around the time this came out. The whole album encapsulates what she went through and none of us could help her with. He finally wrangled it in and he shows me where she's at now occasionally 20+ years later. It's sad.

[@JMulvy]

Ha! I had no idea this was the official video for this song! It seems so out of character for APC. I always thought it was a fan-made video because the fandom is so intense that the lines get blurred sometimes. This is hilarious!

[@Agostoic]

Seems more in line with what Puscifer would do, but being Maynard behind both doesn't surprise me tho.

[@JMulvy]

@@Agostoic That is very true. I didn’t even think of it like that. I love Puscifer.

[@henryambrose8607]

This is something of a sequel to the video for Thinking of You. I don't mind Maynard trying to inject humour into these things but I really wish they wouldn't mess with the audio for the sake of dumb jokes (or at all!), especially in otherwise serious songs. It takes this video from a curiosity to completely unlistenable.