Hello Stranger
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(shoo-bop, shoo-bop)
Hello, stranger
(ooh) It seems so good to see you back again
How long has it been?
(ooh, seems like a mighty long time)
(shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby, ooh)
Oh-uh-oh, I my, my, my, m
I'm so glad
You stopped by to say "hello" to me
Remember that's the way it used to be
Ooh, it seems like a mighty long time
(shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby, ooh)
It seems like a mighty long time
Oh-ah-uh-oh
If you're not gonna stay
(ooh) Please don't treat me like you did before
Because I still love you so a-a-although
It seems like a mighty long time
Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby, ooh
It seems like a mighty long time
The song "Hello Stranger" by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas is a classic soul track that tells a story of a surprise encounter with a long-lost lover. The song starts with the singer expressing her joy at seeing the stranger again after a long time. She asks how long it has been since they last saw each other and the stranger replies that it seems like a mighty long time.
The chorus of the song repeats the shoo-bop, shoo-bop refrain which adds a catchy and upbeat tone to the track. The singer goes on to reminisce about the way things used to be between them and how happy they were. Although the stranger is back now, the singer is wary of the stranger leaving again and hurting her like before. She asks the stranger not to treat her like before but also confesses that she still loves them.
Line by Line Meaning
(shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby)
Background vocals and nonsensical sounds accompanying the main lyrics
(shoo-bop, shoo-bop)
Refrain of the background vocals and nonsensical sounds
Hello, stranger
Addressing someone who was once a significant other but is now a stranger
(ooh) It seems so good to see you back again
Expressing joy at seeing the stranger once again
How long has it been?
Asking how much time has passed since they last saw each other
(ooh, seems like a mighty long time)
Commenting that it feels as though a significant amount of time has passed
(shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby, ooh)
Refrain of the background vocals and nonsensical sounds
Oh-uh-oh, I my, my, my, m
Nonsensical vocalization and sound effects
I'm so glad
Expressing happiness at the stranger's visit
You stopped by to say "hello" to me
Acknowledging the stranger's purpose for visiting
Remember that's the way it used to be
Reminiscing about how things used to be between them
Ooh, it seems like a mighty long time
Reiterating that it feels like a significant amount of time has passed
(shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby, ooh)
Refrain of the background vocals and nonsensical sounds
Oh-ah-uh-oh
Nonsensical vocalization and sound effects
If you're not gonna stay
Expressing concern that the stranger may not be staying for long
(ooh) Please don't treat me like you did before
Requesting that the stranger not treat them poorly again
Because I still love you so a-a-although
Admitting that they still have feelings for the stranger
It seems like a mighty long time
Reiterating that it feels like a significant amount of time has passed
Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby, ooh
Refrain of the background vocals and nonsensical sounds
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARBARA ANN LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter D.
Unmistakable voice! And the harmonies are so unusual, but so Vandella's . All works for me. in 2019
alphonso ROLANDO
Magnifique version !!!!
Stuart Jenkins
Love all the tracks on this album.
Len B.
As long as it's Martha and the vandellas !
Stuart Jenkins
Great Version
PaulaCat CatBallou
Heartbeat brought me here Glad I found this lovely song❤
Albert Gumble
Paula. Cat. Same here. Heard it on heartbeat and I was hooked.
Antonio Betancourt
caminando por una calle segura...
frankie hunter
No matter who sings it, I like this song tremendously. The other Motown version by the Four Tops/Supremes combination of this Barbara Lewis classic is much better but this version is very good nevertheless.
Steve
Correctomundo! :)