Russell was born in Austin, Texas, on 1 November 1948. At age 12, Russell b… Read Full Bio ↴Russell was born in Austin, Texas, on 1 November 1948. At age 12, Russell began learning guitar and at 13 joined a band called The Cavemen. In 1989, he met Patrick Mathe of the French record label, New Rose Records, while at a party in Austin and gave him a demo tape intended for noted Austin guitarist and producer, Charlie Sexton.

He would go on to sign with the label releasing his first solo album in 1990 entitled A Crack In Time. In promotion of the album, Russell began touring extensively throughout Europe achieving a level of success he had yet to obtain back in the United States.

Russell would go on to release over a dozen albums on various labels. Throughout his career, he battled with drug and alcohol addiction and was arrested in Texas for cocaine possession in 1995.

On 3 April 2011, Russell died in Garfield, Texas, after a lengthy battle with liver cancer at the age of 62. He is survived by Swiss-born wife, Cynthia, who continues to live in Central Texas and son, Justin.

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Stranger
Calvin Russell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I feel like a stranger
In my own hometown
No sense of direction
Up or down

Just can't believe in nothin'
When the man looks down
You know you're gonna pay

If I believe in something
It probably wouldn't be true
So it doesn't matter anyway

…

I feel like a gambler
Without a hand
They can pick the pocket
Of a naked man

Just can't believe in nothin'
When the man looks down
You know you're gonna pay
If I believe in something

It probably wouldn't be true
So it doesn't matter anyway

Overall Meaning

Calvin Russell's song "Stranger" is a melancholic ballad about feeling like an outsider in one's own town. The singer describes feeling lost and without direction in their hometown, unable to trust anyone or anything due to the oppressive influence of a powerful figure referred to as "the man." The song's lyrics suggest that the singer has become disillusioned and cynical, unable to believe in anything that might bring them comfort or hope.

The opening lines of the song convey a sense of dislocation and confusion that pervades the entire track. The singer describes feeling like a stranger in their own hometown, suggesting a sense of estrangement from the people and places they once knew intimately. The phrase "no sense of direction / up or down" reinforces this impression, emphasizing the singer's disorientation and lack of grounding.

The song's second verse introduces the theme of powerlessness, with the singer describing themselves as a gambler without a hand. This metaphor underscores the idea that the singer is at the mercy of forces beyond their control, and that they can be exploited or victimized without warning or recourse. The final lines of the song suggest a resigned fatalism, with the singer acknowledging that they cannot trust what they believe in anymore, and that it ultimately doesn't matter anyway.

Line by Line Meaning

I feel like a stranger
Calvin Russell feels like an outsider in his own hometown

In my own hometown
Despite being in his hometown, Calvin Russell feels disconnected

No sense of direction
Calvin Russell feels lost and directionless

Up or down
He doesn't know which direction to take in life

Just can't believe in nothin'
Calvin Russell has lost his faith in everything

When the man looks down
He's wary of authority figures who may judge him

You know you're gonna pay
Calvin Russell knows he'll suffer consequences if he goes against authority

If I believe in something
Calvin Russell is skeptical about his beliefs

It probably wouldn't be true
He questions the veracity of his convictions

So it doesn't matter anyway
Calvin Russell doesn't think his beliefs are worthwhile

I feel like a gambler
Calvin Russell compares himself to a gambler because he feels like he's taking risks in life