"Outlaws & Outsiders" is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country rock singer Cory Marks. Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch, Travis Tritt, and Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe are featured on the track.[1] The song was released in November 2019 through Better Noise Music[2][3] and was sent to both country and rock radio formats[4] as the lead single off Marks’ album Who I Am. A solo version by Marks was included on the soundtrack for the film Sno Babies,[5] while both versions of the track were included on a CD-exclusive EP of the same name.[6]
Background
Marks told David McPherson of SOCAN Magazine that "Outlaws & Outsiders" started "simply a cool title" for a cross-Canada tour he did with Aaron Pritchett in 2015.[7] Later that year, Marks co-wrote the track with Kevin Churko.[8] McPherson remarked that "Canadian country radio is where [Marks] would love to land, but like the song’s title, he’s an outlier. His sound isn’t poppy enough to fit the mainstream mold." Marks said "I feel like I’m a country artist, first and foremost, I want to give country radio something different for the fans and for the genre."[7]
Critical reception
Hendrik Pape of Sound Check Entertainment called the song a "powerhouse country/rock crossover" and "one of the greatest songs of 2019".[4]Front Porch Music referred to the song as a "heavy hit",[1] while Dave Brooks of Billboard called it "hard-charging" with "an arena anthem hook and a throwback sound mixing metal and southern rock with a countrified sound palate".[8] Billboard dubbed it the "hit that couldn't be confined".[8]
The official music video for the track was released in November 2019, and features Marks along with Moody, Tritt, and Mars each recording their parts.[12] A second video for the solo version was released in May 2020 in support of the song's appearance in the film "Sno Babies" and integrates footage from the film.[13]
