Martina McBride released her honky tonk-flavored debut album The Time Has Come in 1992. Her first big hit was the single "My Baby Loves Me" from her more pop-oriented second album, 1993's The Way That I Am. She became even more visible in 1994 with the crossover success of her anti-domestic violence anthem "Independence Day", also from this album.
In 1995 McBride released the album Wild Angels; "Safe in the Arms of Love" and the title track were country hits, later being her first #1 hit. Her 1997 album Evolution sold over two million units, and included an adult contemporary crossover hit in "Valentine" as well as four number one or number two country hits. The album Emotion came out in 1999; "I Love You" was a big hit in both country and adult contemporary circles. So was the socially conscious "Love's the Only House", a trend that would continue with 2003's "This One's for the Girls", which would become the theme song for the 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball championship tournament. [1] This was followed by the hit singles "How Far" (written by fellow country singer Jamie O'Neal) and "God's Will".
The Long Distance Lullaby Songfacts states that Eleven was Martina's first album for Republic Nashville, ending a 20 year association with RCA. Label head Scott Borchetta encouraged her to write more songs for the record than she had on any of her previous 10 albums, and she ended up co-writing six of the 11 tracks. Eleven was released October 11, 2011.
As of 2005 McBride is generally recognized as one of the top female singers in popular music; with her strong and pure soprano voice she has been labelled "the Céline Dion of country music." Also in 2005 she released a 18-track CD of classic country music standards, which landed at #1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart in its opening week and received much critical acclaim for its authenticity towards traditional country.
She is a four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year winner (a record she holds with Reba McEntire), three-time Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year winner and a Grammy Award winner. This left-hander performed The Star-Spangled Banner at Game 3 of the 2004 World Series.
"Independence Day" is used as the introductory music for Sean Hannity's popular talk radio show. McBride has appeared at benefit events organized by Hannity, but has declined to take an active political stance. [2] McBride has performed free for fans, such as in a July 3, 2004 show in Owensboro, Kentucky to celebrate the grand opening of the new Independence Bank headquarters.
Recently she helped out contestants on the Canadian version of "American Idol". The winner worked on a song with McBride as well as went on tour with her across Canada.
Martina has sold over 13 million albums in USA alone.
Strangers
Martina McBride Lyrics
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Two strangers passing on the sidewalk
Barely brush each other's hand
He says "I'm sorry"
She says "Don't worry"
And that is how it all began
And it's like they were meant to be
Lying there with her he softly whispers
Just think what we were so recently
Strangers, strangers
The world greatest lovers
Last week we were strangers
Two strangers passing in the hallway
Barely touch each other's heart
Now they're pretending
Two shadows blending
But they're a million miles apart
Soon she'll be packing up her suitcase
They'll be dividing all the blame
They know how they started
Now empty hearted
They don't have a clue how they became
Strangers, strangers
The world greatest lovers
And now they are strangers
The world's greatest lovers
Have turned into strangers
Strangers, strangers
The song 'Strangers' by Martina McBride, written by Bobby Braddock, is a thought-provoking piece that deals with the fleeting nature of relationships, how they can start and end in the blink of an eye. The song talks about two strangers who met each other on the sidewalk, barely brushed each other's hand, and found themselves falling in love. They spent a few days and nights together, and it felt like they were meant to be with each other. However, they soon realize that they are just pretending to be together, with their hearts being a million miles apart. The woman will be moving away soon, and they don't know how they became strangers after being the world's greatest lovers.
The song highlights the fact that relationships can be superficial and short-lived, even if they start with the promise of a lifetime of togetherness. The two strangers in the song are like ships passing in the night, and despite the initial spark between them, they fail to build a meaningful relationship. The song emphasizes the fleeting and fragile nature of romantic relationships and how they can be over before they even begin.
Line by Line Meaning
Two strangers passing on the sidewalk
Two people who are unfamiliar with one another walking in opposite directions on a paved path
Barely brush each other's hand
Their hands touched ever so slightly, almost like an accident was barely avoided
He says 'I'm sorry'
The man offers an apology for the brief physical contact
She says 'Don't worry'
The woman reassures him that there is no need to apologize
And that is how it all began
This seemingly insignificant encounter was the spark that led to something greater
A few short days and night together
They spent a brief but memorable time together
And it's like they were meant to be
Their connection was so strong and natural that it felt like fate had brought them together
Lying there with her he softly whispers
As he lies beside her, he speaks to her in a hushed tone
Just think what we were so recently
He reflects on how recently they were strangers and how much things have changed
Two strangers passing in the hallway
They were once again in each other's presence, passing one another while inside a building
Barely touch each other's heart
They no longer shared that spark that brought them together
Now they're pretending
They are now faking their emotions and relationship for the sake of avoiding confrontation
Two shadows blending
They are moving together like two indistinct shapes overlapping
But they're a million miles apart
Despite the illusion of closeness, they are emotionally and mentally distant from each other
Soon she'll be packing up her suitcase
She will soon be leaving, and their relationship will be over
They'll be dividing all the blame
They will be arguing and attributing fault for the relationship's demise
They know how they started
They both know that they once were strangers who fell in love
Now empty hearted
They now feel hollow and heartbroken
They don't have a clue how they became
They are unsure of how their love came to an end
The world's greatest lovers
They were once so passionately in love that they might have been considered the best couple
Have turned into strangers
They have become strangers to each other, brought back to where they started
Strangers, strangers
The word 'strangers' is repeated as a way to emphasize their return to that status
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind