Piano/Guitar: Troy Van Leeuwen
Dru… Read Full Bio ↴Vocals: Izzy Stradlin/Duff McKagan
Piano/Guitar: Troy Van Leeuwen
Drums: Joey Castillo
Bass/Choir Vocal: Nick Oliveri
Tape Manipulation/Synthesizer: Aldo Struyf
Choir Vocal: Wendy Rae Fowler/Chris Goss
Strange Religion
Mark Lanegan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll just keep drivin'
Because of you I see a light
The Buick's a Century, a '73 like you
Some strange religion
I get my hands on some money momma, and a shot in the night
Stared down the past and just scarred my eyes
Now I know there's no easy ride
She's been the kind who would take it in stride
Some jack of diamonds kicked her heart around
Did they know they were walking on holy ground?
Almost called it a day so many times
Didn't know what it felt like to be alive
'Til you been a friend to me, like nobody else could be
Keep my hands on the wheel now momma
Gonna honestly try
She looked past the scars and the burned out eyes
You could see I'm no easy ride
She's just the kind who might get you to buy
Some strange religion
This jack of diamonds kicked her heart around
Shoulda known they were walking on holy ground
This life might eventually just be the end of me, will I still be with you
Get in next to me, just keep driving
Cause of you I been alive
And this Buick's a Century, '73 like you
Some strange religion
The Buick's a Century, '73 like you
Some strange religion
In the song Strange Religion, Mark Lanegan sings about the transformative power of love and how it can give meaning and purpose to a person's life. The song starts with an invitation to someone he loves, to stay with him and just keep driving. He acknowledges that it’s because of this person that he sees a light, implying that there was a darkness in his life that this person has helped him overcome. The Buick Century he drives is a symbol of the connection they share, as it is a ‘73 like her.
Lanegan then talks about a past where he has experienced deep pain and trauma. He refers to it as staring down the past and being left with scars on his eyes. He knows that life is not easy and there’s no simple solution for healing. But he’s grateful for the person who takes it in stride and doesn't judge him for his scars, who has been a friend like nobody else could be.
The song ends on an optimistic note that encourages them to keep driving, as it seems like the answers they seek might be found through their shared journey. The strange religion seems to signify the transformative power of their love and how it’s brought meaning and purpose into their lives. The song’s melody, with its sparse arrangement and haunting quality, adds to the overall emotional impact of the lyrics, elevating it to a raw and honest ballad.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you stay here next to me?
Asks another person if they can stay with the singer.
We'll just keep drivin'
The two will continue to drive without a specific destination in mind.
Because of you I see a light
Thanks the second person for bringing light to the singer's life.
The Buick's a Century, a '73 like you
The car they are driving is a 1973 Buick Century, which reminds the artist of the year the other person was born.
Some strange religion
Their bond feels like a strange but powerful religion.
I get my hands on some money momma, and a shot in the night
The singer feels like he can do anything, fueled by money and adrenaline.
Stared down the past and just scarred my eyes
Looking back on the past has caused emotional pain and trauma.
Now I know there's no easy ride
The artist realizes that life is not easy.
She's been the kind who would take it in stride
The other person has always been able to handle life's challenges with grace.
Some jack of diamonds kicked her heart around
Someone broke the other person's heart.
Did they know they were walking on holy ground?
The other person is incredibly special and deserving of more respect.
Almost called it a day so many times
The artist has considered giving up many times.
Didn't know what it felt like to be alive
The singer felt lifeless before meeting the other person.
'Til you been a friend to me, like nobody else could be
The other person has been an exceptional friend.
Keep my hands on the wheel now momma, gonna honestly try
The singer is going to try to stay focused on driving.
She looked past the scars and the burned out eyes
The other person sees past the artist's physical and emotional scars.
You could see I'm no easy ride
The artist is not an easy person to be with.
She's just the kind who might get you to buy, some strange religion
The other person has a way of convincing you to believe in something unusual but meaningful.
This jack of diamonds kicked her heart around
The other person has been heartbroken before.
Shoulda known they were walking on holy ground
The other person deserves more respect and appreciation.
This life might eventually just be the end of me, will I still be with you
The artist wonders if the other person will still be there for him at the end of his life.
Get in next to me, just keep driving
Encourages the other person to continue the journey with him.
Cause of you I been alive
The other person has given the singer a reason to live.
And this Buick's a Century, '73 like you
The car is a reminder of the other person's birth year.
Some strange religion
Their bond feels like a strange but powerful religion.
The Buick's a Century, '73 like you
The car is brought up again, emphasizing the connection between the other person and the year of its make.
Some strange religion
Their bond feels like a strange but powerful religion.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARK LANEGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind