X Ambassadors is an American alternative rock band hailing from Ithaca, New… Read Full Bio ↴X Ambassadors is an American alternative rock band hailing from Ithaca, New York. The band was formed in 2009 by brothers Sam and Casey Harris, and childhood friend Noah Feldshuh. Initially, the group started out playing local gigs and self-releasing music, but their unique sound soon caught the attention of record labels.

The band's music is an eclectic mix of genres, including alternative rock, indie rock, and pop. They are known for their energetic and emotional live performances, which are often accompanied by elaborate visuals and lighting.

X Ambassadors' breakthrough came with the release of their debut album, "VHS," in 2015. The album spawned several hit singles, including "Renegades," "Unsteady," and "Jungle," which have collectively amassed over a billion streams on Spotify alone. "VHS" also featured collaborations with other artists, including Imagine Dragons and Jamie N Commons.

One of the band's defining characteristics is their willingness to address personal and social issues through their music. For instance, "Unsteady" is a poignant reflection on the Harris brothers' upbringing with a mother who battled substance abuse, while "Renegades" is a call for rebellion against societal norms.

X Ambassadors have also been vocal advocates for mental health awareness and have worked with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation. In 2019, they launched their own initiative, the "Joyful Tour," which aimed to destigmatize mental health issues and promote self-care among fans.

In addition to their studio albums, X Ambassadors have released several EPs and singles over the years, showcasing their versatility as a band. They have also collaborated with other artists on various projects, including the soundtrack for the Netflix film "Bright" and the song "Home" with Machine Gun Kelly and Bebe Rexha.

Stranger
X Ambassadors Lyrics

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I'll wait for you
I'll wait for you
But I'll be happy when you're gone
Happy when you're gone
Oh
I wait for you

I'll wait for you

I'll wait for you
And watch you waste away
While I watch you waste away
Oh

Cause lately
When you see me
And you get that look in your eye
Could you be more
Elusive
Talking shit, talking shit
Baby don't say
You're sorry
It's not the end of the world
But you gotta know
One thing
I won't be waiting long

Cause now you look at me
Like a stranger
Don't say nothing at all
Don't say nothing at all
You're treating me
Like a stranger
Don't say nothing at all
Don't say nothing at all
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
Oh
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
Oh

I'll wait for you
I'll wait for you
And watch you waste away
While I watch you waste away
Oh
I wait for you

Cause lately
When I see you
And you get that look in your eye
Could you be more
Elusive
Talking shit, talking shit
Baby don't say
You're sorry
It's not the end of the world
But you gotta know
One thing
I won't be waiting long

Cause now you look at me
Like a stranger
Don't say nothing at all
Don't say nothing at all
You're treating me
Like a stranger
Don't say nothing at all
Don't say nothing at all
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
Oh
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
Oh

We will never get back to where we used to be
Used to be
We will never get back to where we used to be
Used to be
Could we ever get back to where we used to be
Used to be
Could we ever get back to where we
Back to where we used to be

Cause now you look at me
Like a stranger
Don't say nothing at all
Don't say nothing at all
You're treating me
Like a stranger
Don't say nothing at all
Don't say nothing at all
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
A stranger to you
Oh
A stranger to you
A stranger to you

A stranger to you
Oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of X Ambassadors’ song Stranger depict the feeling of being rejected and ignored by someone they used to be close with. The refrain, “Cause now you look at me like a stranger” emphasizes the painful realization that the person they love no longer recognizes them. The line “Could we ever get back to where we used to be” suggests that there was a time when things were better between them, and the singer is clinging to the hope of returning to that better time. However, the use of repetition in phrases like “I’ll wait for you” and “while I watch you waste away” suggests that the singer is also struggling with letting go of the relationship and moving on.

The verses delve deeper into the complicated feelings surrounding the rejection. The lines “Could you be more elusive, talking shit, talking shit” suggest that the other person is not only ignoring the singer but actively speaking negatively about them. However, the singer is willing to be patient, waiting for the other person despite feeling happy when they are gone. This paradoxical longing for someone who no longer seems to want them is a central theme of the song and creates a complex emotional landscape for the listener.

Overall, Stranger highlights the difficulty of accepting rejection and moving on from a relationship that has ended, especially when that other person seems to have changed so drastically. The use of repetition and emotive lyrics creates a vulnerable and powerful song that speaks to the experience of many listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll wait for you
I'll stick around for you

But I'll be happy when you're gone
But I'll be relieved when you're not around anymore

Oh
Exclamation of emotion

And watch you waste away
And observe you deteriorate

Cause lately
Because recently

When you see me
When you look at me

And you get that look in your eye
And you have a certain gaze in your eyes

Could you be more
Are you able to be any more

Elusive
Hard to grasp, understand or define

Talking shit, talking shit
Saying bad things about me

Baby don't say
Don't bother to say