After a return to college to focus on her studies, Hesketh along with two of her fellow students formed the electronic/indie pop band Dead Disco in 2005. The band had limited releases of their four singles but due to increasingly different ideas about the band's musical direction, Hesketh left to pursue a solo career. Hesketh has cited as influences The Human League, Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Pink Floyd, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, and Jean-Michel Jarre.
Hesketh began writing her own songs and posting covers on the social networking sites such as YouTube and MySpace. After appearing on several shows including Later... with Jools Holland and Last Call with Carson Daly, Hesketh entered production on her debut album. With increasing media attention regarding her then-yet-to-be-released debut album, Hesketh topped the BBC Sound of 2009 poll and received a BRIT Critics Choice nomination. She has been linked to a wave of breakthrough female artists in their twenties playing 1980s-influenced music, including Lady Gaga, Ladyhawke, Florence and the Machine, and Elly Jackson of La Roux.
Her debut album, Hands, was released on 8 June 2009 on 679 Recordings and Atlantic Records to generally positive reviews. The album peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart and at number twenty on the Irish Albums Chart. Hands included a collaboration with Phil Oakey from The Human League on the song "Symmetry". The first single off the album "New in Town" became a top twenty hit, while the next single "Remedy", produced by RedOne, reached the top ten. She has also released the EP Illuminations in the United States.
Little Boots' second album, Nocturnes, was released on 5 May 2013 on her own label On Repeat.
Official site: littlebootsmusic.co.uk
Strangers
Little Boots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At once so close and yet so far
Bodies so familiar
We both would know them in the dark
The only constant thing is change
Even the strongest wall can shake
Don't want it all to go to waste
But feels like we're about to break
You raise your voice, I slam a door
Somewhere were we ever over - pause
I sit alone and feel regret
You go out drinking to forget
And when we meet by accident
A subconscious coincidence
There's an uncomfortable suspense
A thousand words hanging unsaid
I know you so well
But we dance like strangers tonight
No one could ever tell
We used to hold our bodies tight
Trying to have a real good time
But something just doesn't feel right
The music's playing but we never hear
Cause we dance like strangers
We dance like strangers tonight
You're surrounded by your friends
Feeding them stories with no end
They all agree and nod their heads
But they can never comprehend
'Cause they don't know you like I do
There's no one else that we include
I've seen you act like such a fool
But you held my hand when I was blue
I know you so well
But we dance like strangers tonight
No one could ever tell
We used to hold our bodies tight
Trying to have a real good time
But something just doesn't feel right
The music's playing but we never hear
Cause we dance like strangers
We dance like strangers tonight
I wanna meet you for the very first time again, again
I wanna start anew with a stranger like you again, again
I wanna meet you for the very first time again, again
I wanna start anew with a stranger like you again, again
I know you so well
But we dance like strangers tonight
No one could ever tell
We used to hold our bodies tight
Trying to have a real good time
But something just doesn't feel right
The music's playing but we never hear
Cause we dance like strangers
We dance like strangers tonight
The lyrics of Little Boots's song "Strangers" explore the painful dynamics of a relationship that has changed beyond recognition. The first verse sets the scene, describing two people who are intimately familiar with one another's bodies but nevertheless struggling to connect emotionally. The second verse provides a more detailed portrait of the relationship, depicting two people who are at odds and unable to communicate effectively. The chorus repeats the refrain "I know you so well, but we dance like strangers tonight," expressing the intense sadness and confusion that comes from feeling such a gulf between oneself and a former partner.
The lyrics of "Strangers" are notable for their vivid imagery and their relatable portrayal of a relationship that has fallen apart. The song's refrain has become iconic for its evocative description of the pain of trying to reconnect with someone who was once so close. The song's overall meaning has been interpreted in many different ways, with some listeners hearing a plea for reconciliation and others interpreting it as a lament for a love that is lost forever.
Overall, "Strangers" is a poignant and powerful song that speaks to the heart of human relationships and the challenges of moving on from past loves.
Line by Line Meaning
We see ourselves like stars
We have a high opinion of ourselves, much like stars in the sky which are seen as shining and important.
At once so close and yet so far
Our relationship is both intimate and distant at the same time.
Bodies so familiar
We know each other's physical bodies very well.
We both would know them in the dark
Our knowledge of each other is so intimate that we could recognize each other by touch alone, even in darkness.
The only constant thing is change
Change is the only thing in our lives that is always present.
Even the strongest wall can shake
Even our strong relationship can be shaken or damaged.
Don't want it all to go to waste
We don't want to lose what we have built together.
But feels like we're about to break
Despite our efforts to keep things together, it seems like we are on the verge of breaking apart.
You raise your voice, I slam a door
Our arguments have escalated to the point of shouting and slamming doors.
Somewhere were we ever over - pause
We are questioning whether our relationship has run its course and ended.
I sit alone and feel regret
I am by myself and feeling remorseful about our situation.
You go out drinking to forget
You are trying to numb your pain by drinking alcohol.
And when we meet by accident
In the rare case that we cross paths unexpectedly,
A subconscious coincidence
We happen to come across each other without intentionally seeking it out.
There's an uncomfortable suspense
We both feel nervous and uneasy when we see each other, unsure of what to say or do.
A thousand words hanging unsaid
Our unspoken thoughts and feelings are weighing heavily on us.
You're surrounded by your friends
You are in the company of your friends and acquaintances.
Feeding them stories with no end
You are telling them endless stories, perhaps to distract yourself from our situation.
They all agree and nod their heads
Your friends are in agreement with what you are saying and are being affirming.
But they can never comprehend
Despite their support, they can never fully understand what we are going through.
'Cause they don't know you like I do
Only I have the intimate knowledge of you and our relationship to truly comprehend what is happening.
There's no one else that we include
We are the only ones who are truly involved and affected by our situation.
I've seen you act like such a fool
I have witnessed you do things that others may not have seen or known about.
But you held my hand when I was blue
Despite your faults, you have been there for me in times of need and have offered me comfort and support.
I wanna meet you for the very first time again, again
I wish we could go back to the beginning of our relationship and start anew.
I wanna start anew with a stranger like you again, again
I wish we could start over with the knowledge and experience we have now, almost like starting with a stranger.
The music's playing but we never hear
We are unable to enjoy the present moment, even when trying to have a good time.
Cause we dance like strangers
Our relationship feels strained and unfamiliar, like we are two strangers dancing together.
We dance like strangers tonight
Our connection has been lost and we are unable to fully let go and enjoy each other's company.
Contributed by Nathan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ant Ram
We see ourselves like stars
At once so close and yet so far
Bodies so familiar
We both would know them in the dark
The only constant thing has changed
Even the strongest ones can shake
Don’t want it all to go to waste
But it feels like we’re about to break
(Verse)
You raise your voice and slam a door
Somewhere we’re we over? Pause
I sit alone and feel regret
You go out drinking to forget
And when we meet by accident
A subconscious coincidence
There’s an uncomfortable suspense
A thousand words hanging unsaid
(Chorus)
I know you so well
But we dance like strangers tonight
No one could ever tell
We used to hold our bodies tight
Trying to have a real good time
But something just doesn’t feel right
The music’s playing but we never hear
Plus we dance like strangers
We dance like strangers tonight
(Verse)
You’re surrounded by your friends
Even them stories with no end
They all agree and nod their heads
But they can never comprehend
‘Cause they don’t know you like I do
There’s no one else that we include
I’ve seen you act like such a fool
But if held my hand when I was blue
(Chorus)
I know you so well
But we dance like strangers tonight
No one could ever tell
We used to hold our bodies tight
Trying to have a real good time
But something just doesn’t feel right
The music’s playing but we never hear
Plus we dance like strangers
We dance like strangers tonight
(Bridge)
I wanna meet you for the very first time again, again
I wanna start anew with a stranger like you again, again
I wanna meet you for the very first time again, again
I wanna start anew with a stranger like you again, again
(Chorus)
I know you so well
But we dance like strangers tonight
No one could ever tell
We used to hold our bodies tight
Trying to have a real good time
But something just doesn’t feel right
The music’s playing but we never hear
Plus we dance like strangers
We dance like strangers tonight
Ant Ram
We see ourselves like stars
At once so close and yet so far
Bodies so familiar
We both would know them in the dark
The only constant thing has changed
Even the strongest ones can shake
Don’t want it all to go to waste
But it feels like we’re about to break
(Verse)
You raise your voice and slam a door
Somewhere we’re we over? Pause
I sit alone and feel regret
You go out drinking to forget
And when we meet by accident
A subconscious coincidence
There’s an uncomfortable suspense
A thousand words hanging unsaid
(Chorus)
I know you so well
But we dance like strangers tonight
No one could ever tell
We used to hold our bodies tight
Trying to have a real good time
But something just doesn’t feel right
The music’s playing but we never hear
Plus we dance like strangers
We dance like strangers tonight
(Verse)
You’re surrounded by your friends
Even them stories with no end
They all agree and nod their heads
But they can never comprehend
‘Cause they don’t know you like I do
There’s no one else that we include
I’ve seen you act like such a fool
But if held my hand when I was blue
(Chorus)
I know you so well
But we dance like strangers tonight
No one could ever tell
We used to hold our bodies tight
Trying to have a real good time
But something just doesn’t feel right
The music’s playing but we never hear
Plus we dance like strangers
We dance like strangers tonight
(Bridge)
I wanna meet you for the very first time again, again
I wanna start anew with a stranger like you again, again
I wanna meet you for the very first time again, again
I wanna start anew with a stranger like you again, again
(Chorus)
I know you so well
But we dance like strangers tonight
No one could ever tell
We used to hold our bodies tight
Trying to have a real good time
But something just doesn’t feel right
The music’s playing but we never hear
Plus we dance like strangers
We dance like strangers tonight
Dirk van Baren
My favourite off the album. Stunning.
Tómas Speed
favourite track off the album !!!!!!!!! it just slays me
xxEvangelineRxx
Such a sweet song about getting friendzon-ed, and trying to come out of that awkward phase...
Chloe Martini
so good!
Suranda68
Das ist so richtig schöne Little Boots-Lala. Wüsste keine englische Übersetzung...
Leila khalili
I'm an alien and I love this song ..
Jackson dos Reis
this song does not leave my mind :v
Boingalicious
Can't.. Stop... Dancing..
Mark Walton
Very similar to ABBA’s The Visitors.