Album sleeve artwork for his four Marillion albums and most of his solo albums has been done by Mark Wilkinson.
Fish is not to be confused with Phish, Chris Squire (“The Fish”), Barry Melton ("the Fish" of Country Joe & the Fish), Grossa or Bradley Fish.
He has worked with many other artists, including Tony Banks (Genesis) and Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s (Ayreon) as the Highlander in Into the Electric Castle.
2. Fish is a Chinese experimental electronic musician.
3. fish is the name of a Soundcloud account used by electronic musician Gupi.
Favourite Stranger
Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In gaining everything
But I can't put my finger on what it was
It's just one of those nagging feelings
Like sitting with your back to an open door
Waiting on a favourite stranger
I find it hard to talk about, it's not easy
Just sitting here, waiting, trying to accept
That there's something missing
That there's something not quite there
And that's why you're sitting there
Listening to me as I try to explain that
[Chorus]
You're my favourite stranger
But don't read between the lines
I could say that I love you at this moment
In passing time
But I could honestly tell you
I don't know why I'm here
Sharing all my problems with you
When you've already got your own share
From favourite strangers
Maybe it's just I need an audience to
Pretend it's all an act
But all I gain is your confidence
And a number in a filo fax
On the terms that it's a first name
That'll run one day in split champagne
And I'll recollect and just accept
That you were one of my favourite strangers
[Chorus]
Sometimes I feel I lost something
In gaining everything
But I can't put my finger on what it was
It's just one of those nagging feelings
Like sitting with your back to an open door
Waiting on a favourite stranger
The lyrics to Fish's song Favourite Stranger are powerful and emotional, as they convey the feeling of loss and longing that the singer is experiencing. The first stanza sets the tone for the song, as the singer expresses their sense of disquiet and unease at having gained everything they wanted, but feeling like they lost something in the process. They can't quite put their finger on what it is that's missing, but they know that something is not quite right.
The second stanza delves deeper, as the singer admits to finding it hard to talk about their feelings. They are struggling to accept that something is wrong, and they are turning to a "favourite stranger" - someone they feel a connection to, but who is not a close friend or family member - to confide in. The chorus repeats the phrase "You're my favourite stranger," emphasizing the importance of this person in the singer's life, while also cautioning them not to read too much into the statement.
The final stanza brings the song full circle, with the singer once again expressing their sense of loss and longing, and their frustration at not being able to identify what is missing. The image of sitting with their back to an open door, waiting on a favourite stranger, conveys a feeling of vulnerability and uncertainty, as they wait for something or someone to come along and provide the answers they are seeking.
Overall, Fish's Favourite Stranger is a powerful and emotive song, with lyrics that capture the complexities of human emotion and the struggle to make sense of our feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I feel I lost something
Occasionally, I have a sensation that I have misplaced something
In gaining everything
While obtaining all my desires
But I can't put my finger on what it was
However, I cannot identify what exactly I am missing
It's just one of those nagging feelings
It is just a persistent feeling that keeps bothering me
Like sitting with your back to an open door
Similar to sitting facing an unoccupied doorway
Waiting on a favourite stranger
Anticipating the arrival of a person I admire but haven't met yet
I find it hard to talk about, it's not easy
I find it complicated to express this feeling, and it is not simple
As you might expect
As someone would anticipate
Just sitting here, waiting, trying to accept
Merely sitting here, waiting and attempting to come to terms with this feeling
That there's something missing
That something is lacking
That there's something not quite there
Something is not quite present
And that's why you're sitting there
That is the reason why you are presently here
Listening to me as I try to explain that
Hearing me out as I endeavor to describe that feeling
You're my favourite stranger
You are my preferred unknown person
But don't read between the lines
However, do not try to find a hidden meaning
I could say that I love you at this moment
I could state that I have a strong affection for you right now
In passing time
But that would only be temporary
But I could honestly tell you
However, I could tell you the honest truth
I don't know why I'm here
I am unsure of why I am present here
Sharing all my problems with you
Sharing all my issues with you
When you've already got your own share
Even though you already have your unique set of problems
From favourite strangers
From preferred unknown individuals
Maybe it's just I need an audience to
Perhaps, all I require is an audience to
Pretend it's all an act
Make-believe that it is just a performance
But all I gain is your confidence
But, in reality, all I derive from this is your trusting nature
And a number in a filo fax
And a contact number on a Filofax organizer
On the terms that it's a first name
Under the condition that it is just a first name
That'll run one day in split champagne
That I will toast to someday with champagne
And I'll recollect and just accept
And I will reminisce and learn to come to terms
That you were one of my favourite strangers
That you were amongst my preferred unfamiliar individuals
Sometimes I feel I lost something
Occasionally, I have a sensation that I have misplaced something
In gaining everything
While obtaining all my desires
But I can't put my finger on what it was
However, I cannot identify what exactly I am missing
It's just one of those nagging feelings
It is just a persistent feeling that keeps bothering me
Like sitting with your back to an open door
Similar to sitting facing an unoccupied doorway
Waiting on a favourite stranger
Anticipating the arrival of a person I admire but haven't met yet
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind