Stranger

X Ambassadors' song 'Stranger' delves into the emotional turmoil of a relationship that has deteriorated to the point where the partners feel like strangers to each other. The repeated lines 'I'll wait for you' and 'I'll be happy when you're gone' encapsulate the conflicting emotions of longing and relief. This duality suggests a deep-seated ambivalence, where the narrator is torn between holding on and letting go. The phrase 'watch you waste away' further emphasizes the sense of helplessness and despair as they witness their partner's emotional or perhaps even physical decline.

The chorus, 'Cause now you look at me like a stranger,' highlights the emotional distance that has grown between the two. The use of the word 'stranger' is particularly poignant, as it signifies a complete loss of intimacy and familiarity. The narrator's plea for their partner not to say anything at all underscores the futility of words in mending the broken relationship. The repetition of 'A stranger to you' drives home the point that the emotional disconnect is mutual, making reconciliation seem almost impossible.

The song also touches on the theme of regret and the impossibility of returning to 'where we used to be.' This longing for the past is a common thread in many relationships that have gone awry. The rhetorical questions 'Could we ever get back to where we used to be?' reflect a sense of hopelessness and resignation. X Ambassadors use a blend of raw lyrics and haunting melodies to convey the complex emotions involved in watching a relationship disintegrate. The song serves as a poignant reminder of how easily love can turn into estrangement, leaving both parties feeling lost and disconnected.