Steve Forbert (born Samuel Stephen Forbert, December 13, 1954 in Meridian, … Read Full Bio ↴Steve Forbert (born Samuel Stephen Forbert, December 13, 1954 in Meridian, Mississippi) is an American singer-songwriter. He is best known for his song "Romeo's Tune", which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1980. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.

Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.

After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.

Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).

www.steveforbert.com

Strange
Steve Forbert Lyrics

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Strange, how you and I don't speak
Strange, how we're so strong and weak
I don't want to talk to you
Sure you feel the same way, too
And so we've made our minds up
And everything can stay that way

Strange, how time just slips away

Strange, it's almost New Year's Day
And so another year's gone by
And not a word from you or I
And riding down the toll road
I begin to wish you'd say

"Look, if your day's gone bad
And you just feel sad and alone tonight
You know you might try callin'
The walls might fall if you'd phone tonight"
I don't want to talk to you
Then again I guess I do
But I can't let my pride down
And you, of course, must have your way
Strange

Strange, how strange best friends can be
Strange when best friends disagree,
I suppose we'll meet again,
Somewhere by surprise and then
Maybe risk a hand shake,
Maybe that would be okay,

But if your day's gone bad
And you just feel sad and alone tonight,
You know you might try callin',
The walls might fall if you'd phone tonight,
I don't want to talk to you,
Then again, well, yes, I do,
But I can't let my pride down
And you, of course, must have your way.
Strange,

Strange,
Strange.

Overall Meaning

The song "Strange" by Steve Forbert can be interpreted as a reflection on the complexities and contradictions of friendship. The singer muses on the strange dynamic between himself and his friend, acknowledging that they both have strong feelings but are unable to communicate. The refrain of "strange" emphasizes the confusion and mystery of the situation. The lyrics reflect a sense of resignation and acceptance that the friendship may not be what it once was, but also a hint of hope that they may be able to reconcile in the future.

As the singer contemplates the passing of time and the approach of a new year, he acknowledges that he has not heard from his friend, yet he still holds onto the possibility that they may reconnect. He wonders why they are unable to speak, despite their shared history and closeness. The phrase "I don't want to talk to you / Then again, well, yes, I do" captures the ambivalence of their situation, as they both want to reach out but are held back by their own pride and fear.

Despite the unresolved tension, the singer recognizes that their friendship was significant and hopes that they can at least make amends with a handshake. The song ends on a note of uncertainty, as the singer acknowledges that their friendship is strange and unpredictable, but also something that he values deeply.

Line by Line Meaning

Strange, how you and I don't speak
It is strange and perplexing how we do not communicate with each other

Strange, how we're so strong and weak
Our relationship is perplexing because we display both strength and weakness towards each other

I don't want to talk to you
I do not have the desire to speak with you

Sure you feel the same way, too
I am certain that you feel the same way as well

And so we've made our minds up
We have both come to a decision

And everything can stay that way
We should maintain the status quo of our current situation

Strange, how time just slips away
It is strange how time passes by so quickly

Strange, it's almost New Year's Day
It is odd that New Year's Day is already approaching

And so another year's gone by
Another year has elapsed since we last spoke

And not a word from you or I
Neither of us has spoken to one another

And riding down the toll road
While driving down the toll road