The Stranger in Our Pictures
Hail the Sun Lyrics


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Tension flowing through my veins and I can feel it
I want to cut it out so I can see it
But that's the way I always know, even now, this uncertainty soon will pass

Hours spent inside the room that got me sober
Praying the dopamine would find me sooner
But that's the gash I had to sew
On this road
I just have to own where it goes

Soft manipulating hot and cold
Kept my family waiting long enough

Careless and self centered ways I behaved stained our home
I found a photograph my father took of someone I don't know
I don't recognize

Lovers, and everyone who fought for me to beat it
How could I commit when I didn't feel it?
I wish that I could give you back stolen time
Maybe in the end you'll get mine

I'd kill the light, when everyone was home
I didn't want them to know where I was
Alive at night
I snuck around to be the very thing you tried preventing
Maybe in the end I'll give it back
Maybe in the end you'll get it back
You'll get it back

Soft manipulating hot and cold
Kept my family waiting long enough
I don't know
Careless and self-centered ways I behaved stained our home




I found a photograph my brother took of someone I don't know
I don't recognize anymore

Overall Meaning

The song "The Stranger in Our Pictures" by Hail the Sun is quite a profound piece that delves into themes of confusion, family dynamics, and addiction. The lyrics reveal a sense of tension that flows through the singer's veins, and which they yearn to pull out so they can see it. The singer seems to be someone who is struggling with uncertainty and being unsure of their place in the world. They spend hours locked up in a room which sobered them up, hoping that the rush of dopamine hits them earlier than expected. But such is the road they are taking, and they have to accept it. The singer avows to be responsible for all of their actions and the outcome of their choice to embark on such a path.


The second verse of the song seems to suggest that the singer's addiction has affected their relationship with their family. They feel ashamed of how they have behaved and how it may have stained their home. The singer also talks of a photograph their father took of someone they do not recognize, which perhaps symbolizes the way addiction has affected their identity or the image that they have of themselves. Despite the love and support shown to them by their loved ones, the singer admits that they could not reciprocate the same feelings, at least not genuinely. Perhaps they feel guilty about this, and wish they could turn back the hands of time and make amends. The song concludes with the possibility that someday in the future, they may be able to make things right.


Line by Line Meaning

Tension flowing through my veins and I can feel it
I feel anxious and on edge


I want to cut it out so I can see it
I wish I could just make my anxiety go away


But that's the way I always know, even now, this uncertainty soon will pass
Despite the anxiety, I know that eventually it will subside


Hours spent inside the room that got me sober
I spent a lot of time getting sober


Praying the dopamine would find me sooner
I hoped to feel better soon


But that's the gash I had to sew
But I had to deal with the consequences of my actions


On this road
In my journey towards recovery


I just have to own where it goes
I need to take responsibility for where my journey leads me


Soft manipulating hot and cold
I was manipulative and inconsistent


Kept my family waiting long enough
I took too long to change and improve


Careless and self-centered ways I behaved stained our home
My selfish behavior had a negative impact on my family


I found a photograph my father took of someone I don't know
I discovered a picture of a stranger in my family's possessions


I don't recognize
I am unfamiliar with this person


Lovers, and everyone who fought for me to beat it
Those who supported me and helped me overcome my struggles


How could I commit when I didn't feel it?
I couldn't fully invest myself in relationships when I was struggling


I wish that I could give you back stolen time
I regret that my struggles took away time from my loved ones


Maybe in the end you'll get mine
I hope to make up for lost time in the future


I'd kill the light, when everyone was home
I would turn off the lights so others wouldn't know where I was


I didn't want them to know where I was
I was ashamed of my behavior and didn't want others to see me like that


Alive at night
I was awake and active late at night


I snuck around to be the very thing you tried preventing
I would act in ways that went against what others tried to help me with


Maybe in the end I'll give it back
Perhaps someday I will be able to make amends


Maybe in the end you'll get it back
Maybe I can make things right in the future


Kept my family waiting long enough
I didn't improve quickly enough


I don't know
I am unsure


Careless and self-centered ways I behaved stained our home
My selfish behavior affected my family negatively


I found a photograph my brother took of someone I don't know
I discovered a picture of someone I don't recognize in my family's possessions


I don't recognize anymore
I am no longer familiar with this person




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Donovan Melero, Aric Garcia, John Stirrat, Shane Gann

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@handyrandy2023

Hail the Sun has easily and quickly became my favorite band. I've never heard a bad song from them. Every song leaves my jaw on the floor.

@ianmccombie2476

You should check out “Bad Luck” too

@onyekachukwumukwumereije799

@Ian Mccombie is it the same artist or someone different? Who is it? Is the band social distortion?

@HollowedSunMusic

Unbelievable song from an incredible band. I briefly spoke with Donovan in Newcastle about mental health and personal struggles. I told him about how HTS music really hits home and fills me with emotion. They're a great group of guys and incredible musicians.

@alfiehaigh8412

I was there too, what a gig!

@lameosaurusrex9948

Gosh I love hail the sun... like the band members seem like people u know and grow up with, they are so personable and relatable!

@desacrificial_lamb934

I was messaging Shane on Instagram and he likes my art and stuff..

@desacrificial_lamb934

It still hurts me when I think of my teenage years, being so distant from loving parents.. pills, alcohol, and other devices I used to try and destroy myself with, through it all, they loved me..
The words "I'm scared when you leave, that you might not walk back in that door" are like an unhealing wound ..I'm 24 now, I'm better and farther from who I was

@RaulD911

These guys don’t stop producing good music, I swear.

@davidgudiel7810

Fucking hell yeah

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