This week’s theme is strangers, but by this, I am using stranger
as a noun, not really as an adjective (eg. “Stranger than Fiction” doesn’t
count).
Its interesting that songs in this category often fall into
two types – one is about strangers meeting and falling in love, the other type
is songs where a couple are having relationship problems and feel like
strangers.
10 - Stranger – Presidents of the USA
So we head to the 90’s and the Presidents, who always have
an interesting take on things. In this song, they are trying to pick up a
stripper:
“Carla the stripper,
straight from L.A.
You seem cool for a naked chick in a booth
Let's be pals some day
In other words,
Put some clothes on and call me”
straight from L.A.
You seem cool for a naked chick in a booth
Let's be pals some day
In other words,
Put some clothes on and call me”
9 - I Never Talk to Strangers – Tom Waits
Continuing the theme of trying to pick up strangers, in this
song, we get Tom’s usual sleazy dirty bar type feel to his music, as he
attempts to pick up Bette Midler in a bar. In some respects, the structure of
the song reminds me a bit of “Baby, Its Cold Outside”.
8 - Rank Stranger – Paul Kelly and Stormwater Boys
Its bluegrass time – and off to Paul Kelly’s bluegrass
collaboration The Stormwater Boys who covered an old Stanley Brothers song. I didn't know the original to start with but its a bluegrass standard.
This is the Stanley Brothers original version
7 - Talking to a Stranger – Hunters and Collectors
I am not even going to try and analyse this song, as I am
sure there are lots of meanings in it that have gone completely over my head,
but it’s a good track, with that solid beat, almost tribal sound to it.
6- Strangers in the Night – Frank Sinatra
Ah Frank. In someone else’s hands, this tale of love at
first sight would be way too syrupy for my tastes, but your vocals really give
it some credibility.
5 - Stranger – Joe Henry
I was recommended Joe Henry by a former work colleague- they gave me a mix tape which featured this
song. It’s a really enjoyable listen, and I keep meaning to explore more of his
work.
4 - Strangers on a Train – The Sports
The Sports are always good for a bit of pop rock from the
80’s and this is a great example.Very few people can whistle very well, and recording whistling can be a disaster, but the whistling interludes in this song are amazing. The story goes that they were planning on using a clarinet and Joel just whistled the rough tune he wanted, but the producer decided it was good enough to stay. If you google this song, you will soon realise that many of hypothesised about the lyrics meaning, and many theories abound. I think the short synopsis from my perspective is that it makes you question how well we really know ourselves and others.
Bob Seger’s “Stranger in Town” album would have to be up there as one of the great rock albums, and so many great tracks on this album, Brave Strangers being one of them.
1- Blue Stranger – Paul Kelly
So my top spot today goes to Paul
Kelly’s Blue Stranger. From the “Comedy” album, it’s a really enjoyable listen.
Although not as complex as some of the other songs I have listed above, its
simple tale of two lonely strangers meeting (“all lovers were strangers once”)
set to a catchy, largely acoustic tune just resonates well with me. Keith Urban has also covered this song.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CG07B5X3uY
So there you have it, my top ten "stranger" songs. Were any of these a stranger to you? Do you have any stranger to introduce me to? Don't be a stranger, leave a comment!
