Outshined

by

Soundgarden

Album: Badmotorfinger     Released: 1991

UK Chart: 50

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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

The line, "I am looking California but feeling Minnesota" inspired the name of the 1996 movie Feeling Minnesota, starring Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz.

MTV chose this as a Buzzworthy video. Guitarist Kim Thayil was angered by the video because the guitar solo was edited out to make the song "single-length."

Badmotorfinger was Soundgarden's first platinum-selling album. It helped get the band a spot opening for Guns n' Roses. Axl Rose was a fan.

Live performances of this song always included the "Chris Cornell Stomp," which became one of his signature stage moves. (thanks, Jonathon - Clermont, FL)

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Comments:

Uhh, Tim? Albert? I believe your 'Sarcasm Meters' are in the off position. I do believe that Ole Noah is only 'havin' a laugh', to quote Ricky Gervais.
- Mike , Matawan, NJ

I saw in a Chris Cornell interview that the base of the song came directly from Andrew Wood. He said that Andrew always "Outshined" him when he was alive. He explained that he felt that Wood was above him as a vocalist and a lyricist. Simply put. Chris also said that the line "Looking California, Feeling Minnesota" ended up being one of his favorite Soundgarden lines that he wrote. Which, in itself is ironic to me, considering that the song was originally about how he felt he was being outshined, and then he went and made his favorite lyric from the song. I really wish I could find the video interview. I watched it on Youtube maybe a year ago. If I find it I'll be sure to put it up here.
- Kane , State College, PA

This is why Soundgarden was one of the best bands of all time.
- Dylan , New Britain, CT

Settle down there, Albert. I do completely agree that 90210 had nothing to do with the song, but 90210 started in '90 and the song wasn't released until '91, so saying the song came out "way before" isn't exactly accurate. As far as "looking California and feeling Minnesota" goes, I remember listening to an interview where the band said it meant, "looking like sh*t and feeling like sh*t."
- Tim , Shakopee, MN

the song came out way before 90210..RIDICULOUS!!! nirvana & gnr are way overrated. if anybody outshined anybody, it was soundgarden outshining them."looking california" means evrything may seem bright, warm & happy on the outside & "feeling minesota" means feeling down & depressed on the inside. basically someone put up a front that theyre ok, but they are really in distress...
- Albert , El Paso, TX

You guys can all be right about interpretation. With everything that Chris Cornell has ever wrote, there are many double meanings and symbolic representations. In order to understand all of these meanings, you have to know a lot of background about his life. For example, the chorus of Outshined,"show me the power child, I'd like to say that I'm down on my knees today" can probably suggest that he is thanking God(whether it is sarcastic or not) that the band has gotten big.This religious meaning probably stems from his religious upbringing. you can really see it all through his career. Another thing that he uses symbollically is the dog, or dog references. They are usually to represent his friend Andrew Wood, who was the lead singer of Mother Love Bone and died of a Heroin OD. A lot of his early songs with Soundgarden deal with this. In down on the upside, you start to see his frustration with the break up of the band and his marital problems. Lots of his songs are written about that. But Again, Chris' lyrics mean something to everyone. that's why he's so awesome.
- Aaron , Palm Bay, FL

It's "The grass is always greener where the dogs are sh*tting!"
- Jonathon , Clermont, FL

Never could make any sense of the lyrics. What's with the line "The grass is always greener where the dogs are shedding"
- Cel , Philadelphia, PA

Matt, the movie title was inspired by the song lyric, not the other way around. I have always felt that this song was about depression, especially concerning alcoholism. I also really liked the scene in True Romance that uses this song, where Brad Pitt is smoking a bong made out of a honey bear.
- Rick , Boston, MA

The line, "I am looking California but feeling Minnesota" inspired the name of the 1996 movie Feeling Minnesota, starring Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz. HOW CAN THIS BE? Considering the album this song was off "Bad Motorfinger" was released in 1991 how can one of the songs be inspired by a movie released in 1996?
- Matt , Melbourne, United States

soundgarden is awesome...even if nirvana did a lot of the attention that doesn't take away from their legacy. Chris Cornell is my pick for the best vocalist in rock...ever.
- Matt , Millbrae, CA

The song is clearly about Beverly Hills 90210. It is told from the perspective of Brandon Walsh, in the first season, who has moved to Beverly Hills with his family from Minnesota. He feels intimidated and "outshined" by his glamorous new friends. Even though he quickly adapts to the fashionable Beverly Hills style, when he looks in the mirror, he's "looking California but feeling Minnesota." There are many other Soundgarden songs about 90210. I have proof. Somewhere.
- Noah , New York, NY

The video for this song inspired some of my favorite Beavis and Butthead lines. When they're watching the bearded guy on the treadmill next to the band, Beavis asks, "Isn't that the lead singer of the Spin Doctors?" And Butthead says: "Yeah. He jams with Soundgarden sometimes." Classic.
- Noah , New York, NY

Soundgarden kick butt.they're so creative and loud.it's hard to find an album that you can listen to every song on it with out having to skip any.A-sides (greatest hits) is one of the best albums to listen too.Its just so easy too listen too hahaha.
- Rob , Perth

I think the song is good. It also think it's about depression, maybe, I'm not sure. Marco in Stanfield- you squished two words together- bestmusic-that's just great! This song is just great! Badmotorfinger is just great! I hate the word 'paradox'
- Ashley , MOncton, Canada

it might also be about how bands like nirvana and gnr steal attention away from soundgarden because soundgarden is like once you find it its better than what is around it even though whats around it it still some of the bestmusic ever!
- marco , stanfield, United States

Actually, I believe it's about depression. Jesus Christ Pose would be about lionizing celebrities.
- Ryan , Kukamonga, Canada

I like the use of paradox in the lyrics.
- Dan , Olathe, KS

this song is about celebrity and how people worship them like religeous figures.
- will , mcallen , TX

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