So, the way that these things go often finds me singing in my pillow.
And the way that these things are often finds me crying in the car.

And, my love it is as wide as my jealousy is bitter and cruel.
But it feels like someone died.

You are still pretending you're not telling any lies.
I am still pretending I believe you.
But this is just a business, and I don't feel any pain.
Just as long as no one says your name.

All the years of being broke, all the spit & all the smoke,
& all the fucking, all the drugs, all the love:
Was not enough.
You take my guts, I'll take the car.
Welcome, stranger - here you are!
Never seen your face before.
Welcome, stranger!
Nice to meet you.

You are still pretending you're not telling any lies.
I am still pretending I believe you.
But this is just a business, and I don't feel any pain.
Just as long as no one says your name.
Just as long as no one.


Lyrics submitted by madeleinee

Welcome Stranger song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Brilliant song. I'm sure that this is about a girl who's been cheated on and since has had a break up.

    At first he tells her lies that he isn't seeing anyone else, but it's obvious that he is. For her own sake she still tries to believe him. Deep down however, she feels jealous that he was with another, and she sings to keep her mind off him. But she still loves him and often ends up crying over him.

    She feels like she didn't do enough to keep him with her as well: "the fucking... the love" it wasn't enough to keep him.

    Later she tries to repress the whole thing. She pretends he's a complete stranger. As if she had never met him. Soon, she feels no pain about the break up, and she get's on with life...

    But unfortunately, because she still loves him deep down, whenever she is reminded about him the feelings come back. Whenever someone says his name, she feels all the repressed pain.

    Most beautiful line that is: "and I don't feel any pain, just as long as no one says your name".

    Kinda sad that is, wouldn't you agree? Once again, brilliant song. =)

    SpecialCookieson December 29, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think that this song is about the life of a prostitute, or something similar. All the drugs, the spit, the fucking..

    The line 'this is just a business, no I don't feel any pain' also indicates the rules and obligations of being a prostitute.

    allyceburnson February 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I don't think this song meaning is that complicated.

    I just think it's about a couple that have broken up and it is sung from one perspective about the physical and emotional strain that comes after.

    They can't be friends because it was way to passionate, there was too much love. And because they can't see each other, it IS like someone has died. They can't bare to see their other half move on, or even out socially... because it hurts so much (with some jealousy)... And they can hold it together, try to be rational and cold about it... "just as long as no one says your name"... then they are in the car crying.

    That person now has to be a stranger to them, they can't remember All the love, all the fucking, all the drugs, all the everything that meant everything to them. I've never seen your face before, I don't know you, therefore I have no reason to be sad and miss you.

    Also, as for the "You are still pretending you're not telling any lies, and I am still pretending I believe you"... I believe one of them broke it off by saying that "they didn't need or love or want the other one any more, that there is someone better out there for them"... and they both know it's a lie, but for some reason go along with it.

    anyway, that's how I interpret it. Such a beautifully tragic song. Megan is an amazing song writer.

    pluskaton January 23, 2012   Link

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