# A Perfect Circle — The Outsider — FROMAUDIO Chords

> Source: Moises chord analysis from htdemucs_6s stems at `13th step apc/07 - The Outsider/`.
> Key center: C# major (all three detection methods agree). Duration: 4:01. Full-length stems confirmed.
> Alignment is timestamp-approximate (±1s). Vocals excluded from chord detection.

## Chord Vocabulary

Key: C# major (with borrowed flat-side chords from C# natural minor).

- **C#** = I (tonic major — the primary resting chord)
- **C#m** = i (parallel minor — verse color, swaps with C# in the verse vamp)
- **B** = bVII (borrowed from natural minor — pairs with C# as the song's main I-bVII motion)
- **A** = bVI (borrowed flat sixth — the third chord of the primary descending loop)
- **F#** = IV (natural subdominant — verse and bridge fill chord)
- **E** = bIII (borrowed flat third — arrives in the final chorus for maximum weight)

Primary loop: **C# → B → A** (I - bVII - bVI). This is the reverse Andalusian descent — one of rock's most common power progressions, heard in countless AOR/alt-metal anthems. The verses break the tonic with C#m (parallel minor) to maintain tension. The final chorus adds E (bIII) before B-A, turning the loop into a four-chord descent that lands heavier.

```text
[Intro — 0:00]
C#
(sustained single-chord pedal, 30 bars)

[Verse 1 — 0:30]
C#m
Help me if you can
C#
It's just that this is
C#m            A
Not the way I'm wired
F#           C#
So could you please

C#m
Help me understand why
C#
You've given in to all these
C#m                        A
Reckless dark desires you're
F#
Lying to yourself again

[Bridge — 0:56]
C#
Suicidal imbecile
B
You're pounding on a fault line
A
What'll it take to get it through to you precious
C#
Over this, why do you
B
Wanna throw it away like this
A
Such a mess, well I don't wanna watch you

[Chorus — 1:13]
C#                           B
Disconnect and self destruct one
A
Bullet at a time
C#                        B
What's your rush now, everyone will have his day to die

[Verse 2 — 1:35]
C#m                   A
Medicated, drama queen
F#
Picture perfect, numb belligerence
C#m                    A
Narcissistic, drama queen
F#
Craving fame and all it's decadence

[Bridge 2 — 1:55]
C#m
Lying through your teeth again
C#
Suicidal imbecile
A
You're pounding on a fault line
F#
What'll it take to get it through to you precious

[Chorus 2 — 2:01]
C#
Disconnect and self destruct one
B
Bullet at a time
A
What's your rush now, everyone will have his day to die

[Post-chorus — 2:18]
C#
They were right about you
(long sustain, 40 bars)

[Bridge 3 — 2:58]
C#             E
Lying to my face again
B              A
Suicidal imbecile
C#             E
You're pounding on a fault line
B              A
What'll it take to get it through to you precious

[Final Chorus — 3:17]
C#                 E
Disconnect and self destruct
B
One bullet at a time
A
What's your hurry, everyone will have his day to die
C#                            E
If you choose to pull the trigger, should your drama prove sincere
B                              A
Do it somewhere far away from here
F#
(fade)
```