Don't Talk to Strangers
Dio Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Don't talk to strangers)

Don't talk to strangers
'Cause they're only there to do you harm
Don't write in starlight
'Cause the words may come out real

Don't hide in doorways
You may find the key that opens up your soul
Don't go to heaven
'Cause it's really only Hell

Don't smell the flowers
They're an evil drug to make you lose your mind
Don't dream of women
'Cause they'll only bring you down

Hey you, you know me, you've touched me, I'm real
I'm forever the one that lets you look and see
And feel me
I'm danger, I'm the stranger

And I, I'm darkness, I'm anger, I'm pain
I, I'm master
The evil song you sing inside your brain
Drive you insane

Don't talk
Don't let them inside your mind, yeah
Run away, run away, go

No, no
Don't let them in your mind
Protect your soul

Don't dance in darkness
You may stumble and you're sure to fall
Don't write in starlight
'Cause the words may come out real

Don't talk to strangers (don't talk to strangers)
'Cause they're only there to make you sad
Don't dream of women
'Cause they'll only bring you down, yeah





Run, run, run, run away

Overall Meaning

The song Don't Talk to Strangers by Dio is a warning about the dangers of engaging with strangers. The lyrics are intended to convey the idea that interacting with unfamiliar people can be a risky and potentially harmful undertaking. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes this cautionary message by offering a series of warnings and admonishments.


The first verse establishes the theme by advising listeners not to write or hide in certain ways. The second verse continues this trend, suggesting that listeners avoid heaven and flowers because of the dangers they represent. The chorus then repeats the title, driving home the central message of caution against speaking to strangers. The bridge, which features the line "Hey you, you know me, you've touched me, I'm real," seems to offer a counterpoint to this warning, suggesting that the danger and darkness of strangers may be, in fact, the most authentic and powerful forces in life. However, the final chorus reiterates the original caution, urging listeners to "run away, run away, go" and protect their souls.


Overall, Don't Talk to Strangers is a compelling and dark song that raises important questions about the nature of trust and connection in contemporary society. By warning against the dangers of speaking to strangers, Dio highlights the ways in which our fear of the unknown can both protect us and hold us back.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't talk to strangers
Do not speak with unfamiliar people.


'Cause they're only there to do you harm
These people are potential threats and may intend to hurt you.


Don't write in starlight
Do not create or express your thoughts in a romanticized way.


'Cause the words may come out real
Your words or ideas may become a reality and lead to negative consequences.


Don't hide in doorways
Do not avoid difficult situations; confront them instead.


You may find the key that opens up your soul
By facing your problems, you may discover a deeper understanding of yourself.


Don't go to heaven
Do not be too idealistic, as reality may not live up to your expectations.


'Cause it's really only hell
In reality, your idealized desires or situations may only lead to negative outcomes.


Don't smell the flowers
Do not indulge in things that may be harmful or have negative effects.


They're an evil drug to make you lose your mind
These things may have addictive or harmful properties that can negatively affect your mental state.


Don't dream of women
Do not solely focus on romantic relationships or women, as they may not always bring happiness and fulfillment.


'Cause they only bring you down
Focusing solely on romantic relationships or women can give you false hope or expectations that may ultimately lead to disappointment.


Hey you, you know me, you've touched me, I'm real
The stranger or danger is real and can have a physical, tangible presence in your life.


I'm forever the one that lets you look and see
The stranger or danger can be something that you become curious about or become fascinated with.


And eel me
The stranger or danger can have an alluring or dangerous quality that is difficult to resist.


I'm danger
The stranger or danger is a real threat that must be avoided or addressed.


I'm the stranger
The 'stranger' is a metaphorical representation of anything or anyone that poses a potential threat or harm.


And I, I'm darkness, I'm anger, I'm pain
The stranger or danger can represent negative emotions or experiences.


I am master
The stranger or danger is in control and can manipulate your thoughts or actions.


The evil song you sing inside your brain
The stranger or danger can manifest as negative thoughts or ideas that become intrusive and harmful.


Drive you insane
The stranger or danger can negatively affect your mental health or make you feel overwhelmed.


Don't let them inside your mind, yeah
Do not allow negative people or thoughts to infiltrate your mind or mentality.


Run away, run away, go
It may be necessary to physically or mentally distance yourself from these potential threats.


No, no
This is a warning to not allow these negative things to affect or control you.


Protect your soul
Take care of your mental and emotional well-being by avoiding negative influences or situations.


Don't dance in darkness
Do not indulge in dangerous or harmful activities or lifestyles.


You may stumble and you're sure to fall
These activities or lifestyles can have harmful consequences that can negatively affect your life.


'Cause the words may come out real
Your actions or choices can have serious consequences that you may not have anticipated.


'Cause they're only there to make you sad
The stranger or danger can negatively affect your emotions or mental health.


Yeah
Reiterating the warning and seriousness of the lyrics.


Run, run, run, run away
Urging listeners to distance themselves from potential threats or harmful situations.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ronnie James Dio

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@KareemBahgat1

Don't talk to strangers

Don't talk to strangers
Cause they're only there
To do you harm
Don't write in starlight
Cause the words may come out real

Don't hide in doorways
You may find the key
That opens up your soul
Don't go to Heaven
Cause it's really only Hell

Don't smell the flowers
They're an evil drug
To make you lose your mind
Don't dream of women
Cause they'll only bring you down

Hey you, you know me
You've touched me, I'm real, I'm forever
The one that lets you look and see
And feel me

I'm danger, I'm the stranger
And I, I'm darkness, I'm anger, I'm pain
I, I'm master
The evil song you sing inside your brain
Drive you insane, don't talk
Don't let them inside your mind, yeah
Run away, run away, go

No, no, don't let them in your mind
Protect your soul

Don't dance in darkness
You may stumble and you're sure to fall
Don't write in starlight
Cause the words may come out real

Don't talk to strangers
(Don't talk to strangers)
Cause they're only there
To make you sad
Don't dream of women
Cause they'll only bring you down

Run, run, run, run away



@dennisdistant

So the first verse is Dio singing what your internal voice says to you on a daily basis. It is full of negativity that prevents you to live fully. It's not life advice by Papa Dio. He really wants you to do the opposite of what this voice is saying. He is not "dropping red pills".

The second verse is Dio letting this inner voice speak. Its says "I am the one that makes you look and feel" which means I am your own mind. It says "I am danger. I am the stranger" which means as much as if you are so worried about strangers you should be worried about these thoughts you are having now. They are strange and unnatural. You should get rid of them. The first verse talks about the false dangers. Fear of talking to women or risk taking or daydreaming. You're just imagining that these things are bad. The second verse sings about what the real danger is. This inner voice which makes you live in fear of living.

"I am anger; I am pain" which means these thoughts come from the anger and frustration that you've let build up in your life. The source of which could be false friends, bad parents, no luck with women, you're poor, sick, unhappy, friendless whatever.

"I am master. The evil song you sing inside your brain. Driving you insane." You are not in control of your own emotions and thoughts and your own life. It's these negative thoughts that control you and are bringing you down. You must master yourself and take back control of your own life.

The theme of this song is similar to most other Dio songs. Beware of false friends and false ideologies. Get rid of the fear to live. Stop being meek and timid. Don't let people use you. Now is the best time to make positive changes. Cut toxic people out of your life. Go alone if you must. Be the best version of yourself. Be the star in your own life. Talk to strangers. Go on and explode. Go dance in the dark. Ride the tiger and so forth.



@mr.e1026

One must look deeper into the meaning of the warnings, but they are there.

"Don't talk to strangers
Cause they're only there
To do you harm"

This one was pretty well fleshed out without deeper meaning.

"Don't write in starlight
Cause the words may come out real"

Careful, that which you wish for, because you might get it, to your dismay.

"Don't hide in doorways
You may find the key
That opens up your soul"

This is a warning about regret for that which you've done, but most likely, failed to do.

"Don't go to Heaven
Cause it's really only Hell"

Woe be it to the one who believes there is an easy way to do something, where obviously there isn't. Brother Dio mentions this in many other songs of encouragement. The easy way is often the wrong way.

"Don't smell the flowers
They're an evil drug
To make you lose your mind"

What you expose yourself to can, and will influence your future. Be of sound mind, because it can come to haunt you later, and impact your future in a way you will not easily recover from.

"Don't dream of women
Cause they'll only bring you down"

Lust is possibly the most insidious thing you can do. It tricks your mind into believing that your covetous nature is actually love. It confuses your physical desire with the part of you that yearns for emotional bond and loyalty.

12 years now...... We're lucky you were able to record your muses and deep wisdom into something many can hear, enjoy, and learn from. We need you now more than ever, Ronnie James Dio. I wish we could say we can handle it from here, but most no longer believe that, anymore. Inspiration and creativeness has been replaced by complacency and narcissism. Truth is confused with bullshit, and love has been vanquished by lust, hatred, and contempt.

Oh, Dio, if only you could see how far we fell....



All comments from YouTube:

@BardockPOL

11 years ago this world has lost an angel. Rock in Peace Dio! 🤘

@omaralramadneh2642

I cant believe its been 11 years! Time moves so fast

@tman29360

He's not dead he's slaying demons in another realm

@kingwendell7445

Feels like yesterday. The world weeps

@lydiekrivosik5868

Yes! I LOVE YOU FOREVER DIO!!

@Megladon-re8bb

11 years already!? Well, at least he left the world with his incredible work that will be remembered for decades and decades. He left a legacy, way more than the rest of us will.

5 More Replies...

@daywalker2876

This is my neighbors favorite song. Wether he likes it or not.

@cliffcurrier6342

😆😆

@harlanvandycke1633

Haha, awesome

@ga4508

lmao nice

More Comments

More Versions