Lonely Stranger
Eric Clapton feat. Tessa Niles & Chuck Leavell Lyrics

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I must be invisible
No one knows me.
I have crawled down dead-end streets
On my hands and knees.

I was born with a ragin' thirst,
A hunger to be free,
But I've learned through the years.

Don't encourage me.

[Chorus:]
'cause I'm a lonely stranger here,
Well beyond my day.
And I don't know what's goin' on,
So I'll be on my way.

When I walk, stay behind;
Don't get close to me,
'cause it's sure to end in tears,
So just let me be.

Some will say that I'm no good;
Maybe I agree.
Take a look then walk away.
That's all right with me.

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song Lonely Stranger by Eric Clapton feat. Tessa Niles and Chuck Leavell strikes an emotional chord as it explores the theme of loneliness and detachment from the world. The opening lines "I must be invisible, no one knows me" paint a picture of a person who feels overlooked and forgotten in society. The imagery is powerful as the singer says "I have crawled down dead-end streets on my hands and knees," indicating a life of hardship and struggle.

The song further reveals that the singer was born with a passion for freedom but has learned not to dream big because dreams only lead to disappointment. The chorus "I'm a lonely stranger here, well beyond my day, and I don't know what's going on, so I'll be on my way" portrays the sense of detachment from the world and the feeling of being out of place. The lines "When I walk, stay behind, don't get close to me, 'cause it's sure to end in tears, so just let me be" illustrate the fear of emotional attachment and trust issues that the singer faces.

Overall, Lonely Stranger is a poignant musical piece that delves deep into the theme of loneliness and social detachment. It resonates with many people who have experienced the feelings of isolation, disillusionment, and fear of attachment.

Line by Line Meaning

I must be invisible
No one pays attention to me or acknowledges my existence.

No one knows me.
I am not recognized or understood by those around me.

I have crawled down dead-end streets
I have gone down paths that have led nowhere.

On my hands and knees.
I have struggled and worked hard to get where I am.

I was born with a ragin' thirst,
I have always had a strong desire or craving for something.

A hunger to be free,
I have a strong desire to break free from something.

But I've learned through the years.
Through experiences I have become wiser.

Don't encourage me.
Don't support or motivate me to do harmful or destructive things.

'cause I'm a lonely stranger here,
I feel alone and out of place in this environment or situation.

Well beyond my day.
I am out of my element, beyond my time.

And I don't know what's goin' on,
I am confused and uncertain about what is happening.