His first solo album,'The Sky is Too High', was released in 1998 and has a very muted, uncommercial sound. 'TSITH' was followed by 'The Golden D' which features two covers of the band Mission Of Burma. The next album to come was 'Crow Sit On Blood Tree', which has some of his most ethereal tracks to date on, and is very lo-fi. Fourth album 'The Kiss Of Morning' shows Graham developing as an artist in his own right and the songs take on a more fleshed out and accomplished form. However, it was not until the release of 'Freakin' Out' in 2004 that Coxon had a solo mainstream hit. 'Happiness In Magazines', Graham's fifth album, is largely considered to be his most accessible and complete work, featuring frantic, slick guitar-pop of the highest order.
In 2006 Graham Coxon released his sixth solo album, 'Love Travels at Illegal Speeds', preceeded by the UK Top 20 single 'Standing On My Own Again'. 'Love Travels at Illegal Speeds' shows Coxon branching out to try his hand at some new sounds as well as tightening the punk-pop formula that is his hallmark. The album was released in two formats, with a DVD containing interviews and live tracks as an optional extra.
It marks Coxon's first album away from his now-defunct indie label 'Transcopic'. Coxon also played guitar on Peter Doherty's 2009 solo album Grace / Wastelands.
11th May 2009, Coxon released his 7th album 'The Spinning Top'. 2009 saw Coxon embark on numerous gigs with Blur, including headlining Glastonbury Festival.
More solo discography:
A+E (2012)
The End of the F***ing World (Original Songs And Score) (2018)
The End of the F***ing World 2 (Original Songs And Score) (2019)
I Am Not Okay with This (as Bloodwitch) (Original Songs And Score) (2020)
Superstate (2021, in association with Z2 Comics)
Don't Be A Stranger
Graham Coxon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're um and ah-in, I ain't laughing
Your brain so dead it's starting to stink
It's dripping awful by the earful nice, tonight
God it takes you so long just to think
You're um and ah-in, I ain't laughing
Your brain so dead it's starting to stink
Big rock, dog eating indie frog
Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink
Don't be a stranger, don't be stranger
Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink
Don't be a stranger to your shrink
I'm convinced that you're the missing link
Looking scary, very hairy
Half your nose is floating in the sink
I saw your nostrils forming eyeballs late last night
Big rock, dog eating indie frog
Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink
Don't be a stranger, don't be stranger
Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink
Don't be a stranger to your shrink
Big rock, dog eating indie frog
Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink
Don't be a stranger, don't be stranger
Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink
Don't be a stranger to your shrink
Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink
Don't be a stranger, don't be stranger
Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink
Don't be a stranger to your shrink
The lyrics in Graham Coxon's song "Don't Be A Stranger" are like a rolling stream of consciousness that seems to focus on the idea of not stuffing emotions or thoughts deep within oneself, and rather reaching out to others, especially a shrink. The song seems to be directed towards someone who’s lost their close ones because they are not dealing with their demons. The singer tries to encourage the person to open up to a shrink and not keep thoughts and emotions bottled up. The lyrics can be perceived as humorous at times and scathing at others, with lines like "Your brain so dead it's starting to stink" and "Half your nose is floating in the sink."
The chorus seems to suggest that people who become strangers to their own needs, emotions, and their shrink, have a tendency to disappear into a headspace that's completely inaccessible to others. "Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink, Don't be a stranger to your shrink" can be interpreted as light a cigarette, pour yourself a drink, but don't forget to communicate with your shrink, implying that people should reach out and connect with someone, instead of being a stranger or isolated.
Line by Line Meaning
God it takes you so long just to think
You are very slow in processing information
You're um and ah-in, I ain't laughing
You hesitate and stutter while speaking, which is not funny
Your brain so dead it's starting to stink
Your brain is lacking activity and is becoming unpleasant
It's dripping awful by the earful nice, tonight
Your thoughts are coming out in a negative and harsh way tonight
Big rock, dog eating indie frog
Random, nonsensical phrase that may mock someone's creativity or intelligence
Light yourself a cigarette, fix yourself a drink
Take some time to relax and unwind
Don't be a stranger, don't be stranger
Don't distance yourself, stay connected
Don't be a stranger to your shrink
Don't avoid seeking help from a professional
I'm convinced that you're the missing link
I believe that you are unevolved or not advanced in some way
Looking scary, very hairy
Your appearance is frightening and unappealing
Half your nose is floating in the sink
You are very messy or possibly under the influence of drugs
I saw your nostrils forming eyeballs late last night
You may have been hallucinating or experiencing strange visions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Coral Gordon, Geoff Gurd, GEOFFREY ROBERT GURD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@terebi916
He's so great and I love him.
@keiwa11
Perfect song, Love Graham and Blur!!
@MedievalRichard
Great song.
@xpanda92
Graham has a fucking great voice.
@lbkeay
love the xylophone rock!
@epsohapshiro
1:52 most blurish part of the song.
@ImpacillaCarpisung
it is Graham, if Damon is singing it will be called Blur - Don`t be a stranger, hehe, jk
@Uzgenouzmis
it's Graham.