Hello Stranger
Julia Holter Lyrics
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It seems so good to see you back again
How long has it been?
It seems like a mighty long time
I’m so glad you stopped by to say hello to me
Remember that’s the way it used to be
It seems like a mighty long time
I’m so glad you’re here again
If you’re not gonna stay
Please don’t treat me like you did before
Because I still love you so
Although it seems like a mighty long time.
I’m so happy that you’re here again
The song Hello Stranger by Julia Holter is a bittersweet expression of the elation one feels upon seeing a former lover again after an extended period of time. The lyrics express gratitude for the other person's return, but also a sense of hesitance - a reluctance to relive the pain caused by their earlier departure. The opening line Hello stranger sets the tone for the song's nostalgic atmosphere, creating a sense of longing and yearning for the past. The repetition of the phrase "It seems like a mighty long time" reinforces the idea that the separation has been long and the distance great, but now the singer is grateful for the other person's return.
The second verse utilizes less ambiguous language to express the singer's emotions toward their former lover. They remark, "I'm so glad you're here again / If you're not gonna stay / Please don't treat me like you did before." This confession reveals a fear of repeating the past with this person - a past that was evidently marked by unpleasantness. Despite this apprehension, the singer admits that they still love the other person, leaving the listener to wonder about the source of the breakup and how the relationship might move forward from this point.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello stranger
Greeting someone who is currently a stranger
It seems so good to see you back again
Expressing happiness about seeing the person again
How long has it been?
Asking the person how long it's been since their last encounter
It seems like a mighty long time
Reflecting on the long duration of time since the last encounter
I’m so glad you stopped by to say hello to me
Feeling grateful for the person's visit and greeting
Remember that’s the way it used to be
Recalling the way things used to be between them
It seems like a mighty long time
Emphasizing how much time has passed since their last encounter
I’m so glad you’re here again
Expressing happiness about the person's presence
If you’re not gonna stay
Asking if the person is planning to stay or not
Please don’t treat me like you did before
Requesting that the person does not treat them in the same way as before
Because I still love you so
Explaining that they still have strong feelings for the person
Although it seems like a mighty long time
Acknowledging that it has been a long time since the last encounter
Contributed by Anthony D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.