About the song
“Stranger: A Haunting Ballad of Isolation and Connection”
Have you ever felt like a stranger in your own life? Like the world is spinning too fast and you’re just trying to keep up? Kris Kristofferson’s haunting ballad, “Stranger” (1975), captures that feeling of isolation and longing for connection with raw honesty. Released on his album Who’s to Bless and Who’s to Blame, this song offers a poignant exploration of loneliness, self-doubt, and the complexities of human relationships.
Kristofferson, with his distinctive gravelly voice, paints a vivid picture of a soul searching for meaning in a world that often feels indifferent. The lyrics, filled with imagery of isolation and despair, evoke a sense of melancholy that is both familiar and deeply resonant. When Kristofferson sings, “Maybe this’ll make you think I’m crazy/Honey, don’t feel lonesome if you do”, he invites the listener into his world of vulnerability and self-awareness.
The song’s title, “Stranger,” is both literal and figurative. It refers to the physical distance between the singer and the object of his affection, but it also speaks to the emotional distance that often separates us from those we love. The repeated refrain, “Stranger, could I believe in you”, is a plea for connection, a longing for someone to see beyond the surface and understand the depths of his soul.
Musically, “Stranger” is a masterclass in understated elegance. The simple, yet evocative melody, combined with Kristofferson’s emotive vocals, creates a timeless and haunting atmosphere. The song’s arrangement is sparse, allowing the lyrics and Kristofferson’s voice to take center stage. This stripped-down approach emphasizes the raw emotion and vulnerability of the lyrics.
“Stranger” is more than just a sad song about love lost. It’s a meditation on the human condition, a reflection on the universal experiences of loneliness, longing, and the search for meaning. Kristofferson’s ability to convey such complex emotions with such simplicity is a testament to his songwriting genius. This song continues to resonate with listeners of all ages because it speaks to the heart of what it means to be human.
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Lyrics
Maybe she was smilin’ in the mirror
Maybe I was too, ’cause I was stoned
Singin’ every sad song on the juke-box one more time
Honey, they were hittin’ close to home
And I said – Maybe this’ll make you think I’m crazy
Honey, don’t feel lonesome if you do
But if you wanna make a young man happy one more time
I’d sure like to spend the night with you
And she said – Stranger
Shut out the light and lead me
Somewhere – shut out the shadows, too
And while we lay there, makin’ believe you love me
Stranger, could I believe in you
Maybe you got all you got together
Maybe you keep rollin’ like a stone
Maybe some old lonesome song’ll take you by surprise
And leave you just a little more alone
Singing – Stranger
Shut out the light and lead me
Somewhere – shut out the shadows, too
And while we lay there, makin’ believe you love me
Stranger, could I believe in you
Keep Singing – Stranger
Shut out the light and lead me
Somewhere – shut out the shadows, too
And while we lay there, makin’ believe you love me
Stranger, could I believe in you