The song "Inside Looking Out" is the opening track on the 1995 album Dysfunctional, which marked the reunion of the classic Dokken lineup: Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on guitar, Jeff Pilson on bass, and Mick Brown on drums. Co-written by Don Dokken and Jeff Pilson, the track runs for a compact 4 minutes and 8 seconds and was engineered and produced by Dokken and the highly regarded Michael Wagener. Stylistically, "Inside Looking Out" serves as a powerful statement for the reunited band, immediately setting the tone for their 90s sound. The song retains Dokken’s fundamental hard rock structure but introduces a heavier, more modern groove and a noticeably darker overall atmosphere, which was a clear departure from the polished "hair metal" sound of their 1980s peak. This direction on the album leaned toward contemporary heavy rock while still relying on the melodic vocal hooks and harmonies that are a hallmark of the band. The track is recognized for its thick, driving feel, and it shares the same grooving direction that many fans appreciated on other successful tracks from the album. As the lead-off track, "Inside Looking Out" efficiently showcases the powerful rhythm section of Pilson and Brown and the melodic force of Dokken’s voice, all wrapped around the distinct heavy riffing and lead work of George Lynch.