Stranger
Noah and the Whale Lyrics
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For the first time, since you've gone
Regretfully lying naked, I reflect on what I've done
Her leg still forced in between mine, sticking to my skin
Stroking my chest and my hair, head resting below my chin
I'm a fox trapped in the headlights
And I'm waiting, for the tires to spin over me
'Cause everything I love has gone away
Oh, 'cause everything I love has gone away
Oh the dark night is moving slower, and sleep wont rescue me
Leaving me here to suffer, this shameful misery
So I long for a taste of freedom, or at least freedom from this bed
Silently picking up my clothes, I turn on my heels and I fled
And the dark of the street is no solace to me
Oh and I don't believe my conscience, will ever be clear again
'Cause everything I love has gone away
Oh, 'cause everything I love has gone away
You know in a year, it's gonna be better
You know in a year, I'm gonna be happy
The lyrics to Noah and the Whale's song "Stranger" are a reflection on the aftermath of a break-up. The singer describes his regretful decision to sleep with a stranger for the first time since his lover has left, and the shame and misery he feels afterward. The physical intimacy he experiences with the stranger does not bring him the comfort or freedom he hoped for, but instead serves as a painful reminder of what he has lost. He feels trapped and powerless, like a fox caught in the headlights of a car.
The singer's thoughts turn to the future, as he tries to hold onto the hope that time will eventually heal the wounds he feels. He acknowledges that it will take a long time to reach this point, and that he may never fully reconcile with what he has done. The final lines of the song hint that in a year's time, things may be better for him, and that he may find some measure of happiness.
One interesting aspect of "Stranger" is how the singer's feelings of regret and shame are tied to his sexuality. He describes himself as feeling trapped by his own desires, like a fox trapped in the headlights of a car. This can be read as a commentary on societal attitudes toward casual sex and hook-up culture, which often disproportionately shame women for engaging in these activities. The fact that the singer is a man, and that he is presented as feeling powerless and vulnerable, suggests that these attitudes are equally dangerous and oppressive for all genders.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I slept with a stranger
I had sex with someone I didn't know last night
For the first time, since you've gone
It's the first time I've had sex with someone else since my breakup
Regretfully lying naked, I reflect on what I've done
As I lie here naked, I'm feeling regret and thinking about my actions
Her leg still forced in between mine, sticking to my skin
Her leg is still between mine and our skin is sticking together
Stroking my chest and my hair, head resting below my chin
She's touching me, stroking my chest and hair, with her head resting below my chin
I'm a fox trapped in the headlights
I feel trapped and vulnerable like a fox in headlights
And I'm waiting, for the tires to spin over me
I feel like I'm waiting for something bad to happen, like a car running me over
'Cause everything I love has gone away
I feel like everything I loved is gone
Oh the dark night is moving slower, and sleep wont rescue me
The night seems endless and sleep can't make me feel any better
Leaving me here to suffer, this shameful misery
I'm left here to feel humiliated and miserable
So I long for a taste of freedom, or at least freedom from this bed
I want to feel free or at least get out of bed
Silently picking up my clothes, I turn on my heels and I fled
I grab my clothes and leave quietly
And the dark of the street is no solace to me
Being outside in the dark doesn't bring me any comfort
Oh and I don't believe my conscience, will ever be clear again
I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive myself and feel clear of guilt
You know in a year, it's gonna be better
I believe that things will be better in a year
You know in a year, I'm gonna be happy
I believe I'll be happy in a year
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES FINK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind