4 Non Blondes had a huge hit single in 1993 with "What's Up". A year later, DJ Miko remixed the track as a dance song, and it became a hit again, on radio and in clubs. The original version of the song overshadowed the groups' other work, with them being labeled as a 'one hit wonder', but they scored significant underground success, particularly with listeners drawn to their feminist political themes.
In 1995, 4 Non Blondes contributed the song "Misty Mountain Hop" to the Encomium tribute album to Led Zeppelin. The group also covered Van Halen's "I'm The One" for the popular slacker comedy 'Airheads'. Linda Perry went solo in 1996, and the band disbanded after recording, but not releasing, their second album.
Strange
4 Non Blondes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He just as strong as me
And I don't like the way he pushes
Always looking down on me
Oooohhh, Oooohhh, Oooohhh
You really put me in the spot
And then I see you after all
Strange, strange, strange
I have a place that I can go
It's like a pregnant baby's picture
And there's a way I am
I see around time
Because I'm always looking down
Can't you reply this absurd?
Whom and where I know I have been
And you now walk 'cause I can crow
Strange, strange, strange
I don't like, I don't like
I don't like what I see
How really can myself go
And it is a feeling natural
And you now walk 'cause I can crow
In my bed I go to sleep
And something wake me
It's like a light
Answering my mind
And pushing down on me
Oh please I win to stay
And take me someone else
Oh like a lay
Oh like a crying
'cause it's nothing to the shell off
And now I'm so alone
And you answer out us to go
Oh it's so strange, so strange
So strange, so strange
Oh you're so strange
Strange
Strange
Strange
Oh you're so strange
Strange
Strange.
The lyrics from 4 Non Blondes' song "Strange" are somewhat nonsensical and abstract in nature, but they seem to convey a sense of frustration and confusion. The opening verse talks of a beach umbrella and a male figure who is just as strong as the lyricist. However, this figure is constantly pushing the lyricist down and looking down on her, leading to a feeling of being put on the spot. There is a reference to walking and crowing, which comes across as nonsensical and perhaps symbolic. The second verse talks about a place the lyricist can go, which is described as being like a picture of a pregnant baby. The lyricist sees around time and is always looking down, which suggests a feeling of being stuck or trapped. The final verse talks of sleep and waking up to a feeling like a light answering the mind and pushing down. In the end, the lyricist is left feeling alone and strange.
Overall, the lyrics of "Strange" seem to convey a sense of frustration and confusion, as well as a feeling of being trapped and looking for a way out. The imagery used is abstract and symbolic, which adds to the overall sense of ambiguity and confusion in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Hand me my beach umbrella
Give me the things I need to protect myself and find comfort in a difficult situation
He just as strong as me
The person I am dealing with is equally matched in strength and determination
And I don't like the way he pushes
I am uncomfortable with the way this person tries to control or influence me
Always looking down on me
This person behaves condescendingly and views me as inferior
Oooohhh, Oooohhh, Oooohhh
Expressing a haunting, emotional vibe
You really put me in the spot
Feeling caught off-guard and pressured into making a decision or taking action
And then I see you after all
Despite the difficult circumstances, I still have to face this person and interact with them
How can you walk when you can crow?
Feeling like this person is arrogant and showy, pretending to be greater than they really are
Strange, strange, strange
This situation and this person's behavior is inexplicable and troubling
I have a place that I can go
Having a mental safe haven or coping mechanism to deal with difficult situations
It's like a pregnant baby's picture
This place or mechanism is nurturing and protective, like a maternal image
And there's a way I am
This is part of who I am and how I cope with things - it's a fundamental aspect of my personality
I see around time
Having perspective that goes beyond the present moment and takes into account past and future experiences
Because I'm always looking down
Being introspective and reflective, constantly examining my own thoughts and behavior
Can't you reply this absurd?
Finding the situation so ridiculous that it's difficult to take seriously
Whom and where I know I have been
Reflecting on my past experiences and trying to make sense of how they've led me to this moment
And you now walk 'cause I can crow
This person is taking advantage of their perceived superiority, acting like a rooster who struts and crows to show off
I don't like, I don't like
Feeling a sense of discomfort or displeasure with the situation and this person's behavior
I don't like what I see
This person's behavior is unsettling and causes me to feel anxious or uneasy
How really can myself go
Feeling like my sense of self is being tested or challenged in this situation
And it is a feeling natural
This sense of discomfort or unease is an understandable response to this person's behavior
And you now walk 'cause I can crow
Repeating the idea that this person is putting on a show of superiority, and I am uncomfortable with it
In my bed I go to sleep
Finding comfort and rest in a physical space where I can escape from this difficult situation
And something wake me
Being jolted out of sleep or escaping from my mental safe haven due to some external factor
It's like a light
This external factor is like a revelation or an illumination that causes me to see things in a new way
Answering my mind
This illumination helps me find an answer or a solution to the problems I am facing
And pushing down on me
Despite this illumination, I still feel like something is weighing heavily on me and making the situation difficult to bear
Oh please I win to stay
Expressing a desire to escape from this situation and find a way to remain in my comfortable, nurturing place
And take me someone else
Yearning to connect with someone who is more understanding and less judgmental
Oh like a lay
Feeling like I am in a state of limbo, waiting for something to change but feeling powerless to make it happen
Oh like a crying
Experiencing emotional pain and distress due to the situation and this person's behavior
'cause it's nothing to the shell off
Feeling like I am trying to protect something fragile or vulnerable, like an eggshell that might break if handled too roughly
And now I'm so alone
Feeling isolated and cut off from meaningful connections with others
And you answer out us to go
This person is forcing me to leave, to end the interaction and abandon my attempts to find a solution
Oh it's so strange, so strange
This situation and this person's behavior continue to defy explanation, and I am left feeling bewildered and disturbed
Oh you're so strange
Addressing this person directly and expressing a sense of confusion and discomfort with their behavior
Strange
Summing up the overall feeling of confusion, discomfort, and unease caused by this situation and this person's behavior
Strange
Repeating the word to emphasize the emotional impact it is having
Strange
Continuing to emphasize the sense of confusion and unease, as if the word itself is a mantra that captures this feeling
Oh you're so strange
Repeating the address to the person, almost as a challenge, to try to understand what is causing this difficult situation
Strange
A final repetition that reiterates the sense of unease and discomfort, leaving the listener with the sense that this is a difficult and troubling situation that may not have a clear resolution.
Contributed by Matthew C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nicktse2288
Powerful song…should have been put in the album.
@hernanluiseireponzonicoppini
4 Non Blondes!!!!
@Brujer
¡Tenía mucho buscándola! ¡GRACIAS! No sé quién seas pero ¡TE AMO! 😭❤️
@peterrees7853
class