The Stranger by Billy Joel Lyrics Meaning – Unmasking the Faces We Hide
Lyrics
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, ooh
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, ooh
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 intentions
You will never quench the fire
You’ll give in to your desire
When the stranger comes along
In 1977, Billy Joel released ‘The Stranger,’ a haunting track that has intrigued listeners for decades with its introspective lyrics and catchy melody. At its core, the song touches on themes that resonate with the shared human condition — the facades we wear and the often-hidden complexities of our internal worlds.
Through the years, this tune has become not only a staple of Joel’s repertoire but also a touchstone for those seeking to understand the enigmatic parts of themselves and others. Beneath its surface lie layers of meaning, embodying the universal struggle between our true selves and the personas we project.
The Masquerade Ball of Life
Joel’s ballad opens with a scene every listener can relate to: the act of concealing true feelings and identities behind a metaphorical mask. The comparison of these hidden facets to various materials—satin, steel, silk, leather—conjures up vivid imagery that captures the multidimensional nature of personality.
There’s an elegant duality explored here, between comfort in secrecy and a deep-seated desire to reveal our true nature, perhaps hoping for acceptance or fearing rejection. It’s the intricate dance of intimacy where people balance between revelation and concealment, an idea both timeless and remarkably poignant.
Love’s Illusion and The Stranger Within
The song’s chorus brings to light the paradox of romance, where vulnerability is both a given and a gamble. It begs the question: how well do we really know those we love? More provocatively, it challenges us to question whether we truly understand ourselves.
Joel implies that there is a stranger lurking within everyone—the sides of us that even those closest may never see. The song serves as both an admonishment and an invitation to confront the stranger within and to bridge the gap of understanding for deeper connections.
Falling Faces and Rising Truths
In one stanza, Joel recounts an unsettling personal anecdote: coming home to a partner no longer recognizable, a stranger. This moment of disconnection personifies the song’s central message, the shock of realization when one’s image of another—or themselves—is sharply shattered.
The mystery of the stranger’s identity also mirrors the uncertainty inherent in relationships. The line about the stranger ‘kick[ing] me right between the eyes’ eloquently describes an epiphany that is both painful and enlightening, offering a cathartic moment of self-awareness.
Navigating the Journey of Self-Reintroduction
In the face of such introspection, Joel offers a measured dose of encouragement. The lyrics ‘Don’t be afraid to try again’ serve as a gentle nudge to embrace the risk inherent in self-discovery and in revealing one’s true self to others.
Reassurance rings clear in Joel’s acknowledgment that everyone falters, and in doing so, reaffirms the notion that we are not alone in our secretive struggles. This message of resilience underscores the song’s undercurrent of hope and the importance of persistence despite past failures.
The Hidden Meaning Behind the Lyric ‘The Stranger Comes Along’
Perhaps the song’s most profound hidden message lies in the acceptance that the stranger, this inner identity we fear, isn’t intrinsically malevolent. The acknowledgment that ‘he isn’t always evil’ suggests a redemptive quality to our hidden sides.
Joel’s masterful turn of phrase ‘how the stranger is inspired’ hints at the creative and transformative potential that our secret selves hold. There is power and inspiration to be found when we come to terms with all parts of our identity—even those that initially seem foreign or unnerving.
