The BoDeans worked with T-Bone Burnett on their debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, which appeared in 1986 to warm reviews. They recruited another big-name producer, Talking Head Jerry Harrison, to helm 1987's Outside Looking In, which found the band reduced to a trio after the departure of Hoffman. Outside Looking In broke into the Billboard Top 100, and the BoDeans grew their audience by touring alongside U2, appearing on Robbie Robertson's self-titled solo album, and receiving the honor of Best New Band by Rolling Stone magazine. By the time they released their third album, Home, in 1989, keyboardist Michael Ramos and drummer Danny Gayol had joined. This lineup stayed intact for the release of 1991's Black and White, but the BoDeans went without a drummer once again on their next recording, Go Slow Down.
Following the release of a double-disc live album, Joe Dirt Car, the band returned in 1996 with Blend. Around the time of Blend's release, "Closer to Free" -- a song that had originally appeared on 1993's Go Slow Down -- became a hit, due in large part to its exposure as the theme song for the TV show Party of Five. "Closer to Free" eventually cracked the Top 20, becoming the most successful single of the band's career. The BoDeans were arguably more popular than ever, but the band took a break during the late '90s, with both frontmen devoting time to their solo careers.
By 2004, the band had reconvened and signed with a new label, Zoe. Resolution was released that year, followed in 2005 by Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. Griffin left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Eric Holden, who appeared on 2008's Still. By this point, the bandmates had found a new home on 429 Records, and they remained with that label for the release of Mr. Sad Clown in 2010 and Indigo Dreams in 2011. That same year saw the departure of Llanas, citing "differences of opinion." The band's 11th studio album, American Made, arrived the following year on the band's own Free & Alive label, and was the first with Neumann as sole leader. The BoDeans toured extensively in support of the release, and in 2014 began work on their next studio project. Released in 2015, I Cant Stop featured a new BoDeans lineup anchored by Neumann, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Sam Hawksley, bassist Eric Holden, and drummer Kenny Aronoff, the latter a well-respected journeyman musician who had played on several BoDeans recording sessions in the '90s. In June 2016, the BoDeans brought out a single, "My Hometown," with the release benefiting the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The single was a preview of the group's next album; titled Thirteen, the 11-song set was released in April 2017.
Strangest Kind
BoDeans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I've heard about a love that's like a memory
and I've heard about a love that's like dream
said, "I've heard about a love that's always fightin' "
It's the Strangest Kind that you've ever seen
And I've heard about a love that never quits man
let me tell you 'bout a love runnin' outta steam
and then there's a love that can't stop cryin'
Well there's a love flashin like a lightnin'
and there's a love crawlin' on it's knees
and there's a love so strong that it's frightnin'
well that's the kind of love I'm a wantin' to see
You know I've heard about a love that can make you whisper
and I've heard about a love oughta make ya scream (SCREAM!)
and I've heard about a love nothin' but hatered
It's the Strangest Kind that you've ever seen
Well there's a love flashin like a lightnin'
and there's a love crawlin on it's knees
and there's a love so strong that it's frightnin'
well that's the kind of love I'm a wantin' to see
Wooo!
(GUITAR SOLO)
You know I've heard about a love like "Old Delilah"
and I've heard about a love like you and me
and I've heard about a love like my Mom and Pop have
It's the Strangest Kind that you've ever seen
Yes it's, The Strangest Kind that you've ever seen
I know it's, The Strangest Kind that you've ever seen, yea
(GUITAR SOLO TO END)
The BoDeans in this song, "The Strangest Kind," explore different types of love that they have heard about. The song begins with a comparison between love and memories and dreams. The lyrics then tackle the different ways love can manifest, from aggressive to weak, from crying to hate-filled. However, the BoDeans do not limit themselves to negative or destructive love only; they also mention a love that flashes like lightning, crawls on its knees, but also the kind of love that is so strong it frightens. The song comes full circle with the mention of the love that is like "Old Delilah," like the BoDeans themselves, or like what their parents have.
The BoDeans attempt to capture love in all its strangeness, whether it is dysfunctional, painful or powerful. The lyrics are an exploration of the dichotomy of love and its complexities. The band brings to light that there is no one way to experience love, as it can appear in different forms and manifest in different ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooh, yea
Expressing enthusiasm and anticipation for what's to come.
Well I've heard about a love that's like a memory
Heard of a love that is reminiscent of the past.
and I've heard about a love that's like dream
Heard of a love that seems too good to be true, like a dream.
said, "I've heard about a love that's always fightin'"
Heard of a love that is constantly struggling or in conflict.
It's the Strangest Kind that you've ever seen
It's a type of love that is bizarre and unusual.
And I've heard about a love that never quits man
Heard of a love that always persists even in the toughest times.
let me tell you 'bout a love runnin' outta steam
Heard of a love that loses its momentum and energy over time.
and then there's a love that can't stop cryin'
Heard of a love that is constantly filled with sadness and tears.
There's a love flashin like a lightnin'
A love that is intense and passionate like lightning.
and there's a love crawlin' on it's knees
A love that is weak and submissive.
and there's a love so strong that it's frightnin'
A love that is overpowering and scary in its intensity.
well that's the kind of love I'm a wantin' to see
He desires the kind of love that is passionate and all-consuming.
You know I've heard about a love that can make you whisper
Heard of a love that is so intimate and intense that it causes whispers.
and I've heard about a love oughta make ya scream (SCREAM!)
Heard of a love that is so passionate and intense that it causes screaming.
and I've heard about a love nothin' but hatered
Heard of a love that is consumed by hatred and negativity.
Well there's a love flashin like a lightnin'
A love that is intense and passionate like lightning.
and there's a love crawlin on it's knees
A love that is weak and submissive.
and there's a love so strong that it's frightnin'
A love that is overpowering and scary in its intensity.
well that's the kind of love I'm a wantin' to see
He desires the kind of love that is passionate and all-consuming.
Wooo!
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm.
(GUITAR SOLO)
Instrumental segment of the song.
You know I've heard about a love like "Old Delilah"
Heard of a love that is old-fashioned, timeless and classic.
and I've heard about a love like you and me
Heard of a love that mirrors his own.
and I've heard about a love like my Mom and Pop have
Heard of a love that his parents have, which is probably enduring and unconditional.
It's the Strangest Kind that you've ever seen
Regardless of the kind of love heard of, he still desires a love that is bizarre in nature and unusual in expression.
Yes it's, The Strangest Kind that you've ever seen
Reiterating that it is a unique and uncommon kind of love he seeks.
I know it's, The Strangest Kind that you've ever seen, yea
Affirming and emphasizing that it is, indeed, the strangest kind of love he desires.
(GUITAR SOLO TO END)
Final instrumental segment of the song that concludes it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN SIEGER, KURT R. NEUMANN, SAMUEL J. LLANAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind