Stranger

Billy Joel

About Stranger

"The Stranger" is a song by rock artist Billy Joel from his 1977 album of the same name, The Stranger. The song was released as a single in Japan where it became very popular and peaked at #2 on the Oricon chart, selling more than 471,000 copies, charting as well in Australia, New Zealand and France. It was the last single from the album in Japan, while the US and UK saw "She's Always a Woman", released the previous year, as the last single from the album. The single is featured on Joel's greatest hits album, Greatest Hits - Volume I & II. An untitled two-minute instrumental "hidden track" reprise of this song is featured at the end of The Stranger, after "Everybody Has a Dream". Billy Joel originally wanted the melody to be played by some kind of wind instrument, but after Joel demonstrated the melody by whistling it, producer Phil Ramone convinced Joel to scrap the idea of a wind instrument and whistle instead. 


Year:
1985
250 
#2

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Well, we all have a face that we hide away forever
And we take them out and show ourselves when everyone has gone.
Some are satin, some are steel,
Some are silk and some are leather.
They're the faces of a stranger,
But we'd love to try them on.

Well, we all fall in love,
But we disregard the danger,
Though we share so many secrets, 
There are some we never tell.
Why were you so surprised that you never saw the stranger?
Did you ever let your lover see the stranger in yourself?

Don't be afraid to try again.
Everyone goes south every now and then.
You've done it.
Why can't someone else?
You should know by now.
You've been there yourself.

Once I used to believe I was such a great romancer.
Then I came home to a woman that I could not recognize.
When I pressed her for a reason,
She refused to even answer.
It was then I felt the stranger kick me right between the eyes.

Well, we all fall in love
But we disregard the danger
Though we share so many secrets 
There are some we never tell
Why were you so surprised that you never saw the stranger
Did you ever let your lover see the stranger in yourself.

Don't be afraid to try again.
Everyone goes south every now and then.
You've done it.
Why can't someone else?
You should know by now.
You've been there yourself.

You may never understand how the stranger is inspired.
But he isn't always evil and he is not always wrong.
Though you drown in good intensions,
You will never quench the fire.
You'll give in to your desire when the stranger comes along.

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Billy Joel

William Martin "Billy" Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man," in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to the RIAA. He also has the third best-selling album in the United States with his Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2. more »

16 fans

Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Stranger" is considered part of the pop rock genre, blending elements of popular music with a rock style.
Album Release
The song "Stranger" is from Billy Joel's 1977 album also titled "The Stranger," which is his fifth studio album.
Chart Performance
Although "Stranger" wasn't released as a single, the album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, catapulting Joel to international fame.
Acclaim
The album "The Stranger" is Billy Joel's best-selling non-compilation album to date, with over 10 million copies sold.
Signature Song
Even though it was not a single, "Stranger" is considered one of Billy Joel's signature songs and is frequently performed at his concerts.
Production Collaboration
The song, along with the rest of the album, was produced by Phil Ramone, which marked the start of a long and fruitful partnership between Joel and Ramone.
Use in Popular Culture
"Stranger" has been used in several TV shows and films including "Glee," "Sports Night," and "The Office."
Music Composition
The song features a whistling solo at the beginning, which is characteristic and popularly known to this song.
Lyrics
"Stranger'" lyrics delve into the concept of masks or personas people wear in front of others, a recurrent theme in Billy Joel's music.
Critical Reception
While it was never released as a single, critics often cited "Stranger" as one of the standout tracks from the album. It showcased Billy Joel's storytelling ability in songwriting.
Bonus Track Feature
Billy Joel's 30th anniversary edition of "The Stranger" includes a live version of "Stranger" recorded during a performance in the late '70s.
Artistic Maturation
The production complexity and lyrical depth of "Stranger" showcases Billy Joel's maturity and growth as an artist, marking a turning point in his career.

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