Gus Dapperton is an indie pop artist from Warwick, New York, United States.… Read Full Bio ↴Gus Dapperton is an indie pop artist from Warwick, New York, United States.

Starting out as a hip-hop producer at the age of 13, Dapperton made the switch to his current sound after a serious hospitalisation and the failure of his laptop.

Pairing infectious, nostalgia-laden tunes with high-concept filmclips, lauded for their high-concept cinematic execution, has proven to be a recipe for success. Blowing up through 2017, with two EPs dropped, and fans and the press alike taking notice, Dapperton's future looks bright.

The Stranger
Gus Dapperton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You roll your eyes
To see if there's a place for me inside
I'm cold as ice
But the heat would melt me down this time

And now I'll fit right in
An hourglass in the shape of my outfit
We'll outlast the trials and tribulations

Let the time rush in, let the time rush in

You freeze when danger knocks at your door
The pent-up pain is keepin' it closed
Let the stranger out of the mold
Let the stranger out of the mold
You freeze when danger knocks at your door
The pent-up pain is keepin' it closed
Let the stranger out of the mold
Let the stranger out of the mold

I fantasize
To see if there's a space for me in mind
I held on tight
To memories that made my alibi

But now I take the blame
An era full of misery and shame
From here on out, I will not fit that frame
Let the time reclaim, let the time reclaim

You freeze when danger knocks at your door
The pent-up pain is keepin' it closed
Let the stranger out of the mold
Let the stranger out of the mold
You freeze when danger knocks at your door

The pent-up pain is keepin' it closed
Let the stranger out of the mold
Let the stranger out of the mold (out of the mold)
You freeze when danger knocks at your door
The pent-up pain is keepin' it closed
Let the stranger out of the mold
Let the stranger out of the mold (out the mold)
You freeze when danger knocks at your door
The pent-up pain is keepin' it closed
Let the stranger out of the mold
Let the stranger out of the mold

Overall Meaning

In "The Stranger" by Gus Dapperton, the lyrics explore the themes of acceptance, self-discovery, and breaking free from societal expectations. The song begins with the singer feeling like an outsider, trying to find their place in the world. They have a guarded demeanor, represented by being "cold as ice," but they long for connection and vulnerability. The line "But the heat would melt me down this time" suggests that they fear opening up and being hurt.

As the song progresses, there is a shift in perspective. The singer realizes that they don't need to conform to fit in or be accepted. They declare that they will "let the time rush in" and face the trials and tribulations of life head-on. The metaphor of being an hourglass in the shape of their outfit implies that they will embrace their true self and live authentically.

The chorus emphasizes the internal struggle the singer faces when danger and pain come knocking at their door. They have been keeping their emotions locked away, but now they want to break free from the mold society has placed on them. The repeated plea to "let the stranger out of the mold" represents the desire to let their true, unfamiliar self emerge. They no longer want to be confined by their past or by others' expectations.

Ultimately, "The Stranger" is a song about self-acceptance and finding the strength to let go of the constraints holding us back. It encourages listeners to embrace their individuality, break free from societal molds, and embrace the unknown in order to live a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Line by Line Meaning

You roll your eyes
You dismiss or ignore me

To see if there's a place for me inside
To see if I fit in or belong

I'm cold as ice
I am emotionally distant and unfeeling

But the heat would melt me down this time
But intense emotions would break down my defenses this time

And now I'll fit right in
And now I will finally fit in or belong

An hourglass in the shape of my outfit
A representation of time passing and changing

We'll outlast the trials and tribulations
We will endure and overcome hardships and challenges

Let the time rush in, let the time rush in
Let time bring change and progress

You freeze when danger knocks at your door
You become paralyzed or frightened when faced with danger

The pent-up pain is keepin' it closed
The accumulated pain is keeping you guarded or closed off

Let the stranger out of the mold
Allow the unfamiliar or new aspects of yourself to emerge

I fantasize
I imagine or dream

To see if there's a space for me in mind
To see if I fit into someone's thoughts or plans

I held on tight
I clung to

To memories that made my alibi
To memories that provided justification or excuses

But now I take the blame
But now I accept responsibility

An era full of misery and shame
A period characterized by unhappiness and disgrace

From here on out, I will not fit that frame
From now on, I will not conform to that role or expectation

Let the time reclaim, let the time reclaim
Let time take back or restore what was lost

Let the stranger out of the mold (out of the mold)
Allow the unknown or unfamiliar aspects of oneself to break free

You freeze when danger knocks at your door
You become paralyzed or frightened when faced with danger

The pent-up pain is keepin' it closed
The accumulated pain is keeping you guarded or closed off

Let the stranger out of the mold
Allow the unfamiliar or new aspects of yourself to emerge

Let the stranger out of the mold (out the mold)
Allow the unknown or unfamiliar aspects of oneself to break free