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There have been many interpretations of Billy Joel's song The Stranger since the song came out so many years ago, but I think it couldn't be any more appropriate to our community. It obviously speaks to our inner wants, desires and needs which are almost always kept secret.
When you get a chance listen to this song again. Take the time to listen from a different perspective - our perspective.
Even though I haven't come out to my wife yet, I've come to realize that there are no reasons to feel guilt or shame. I just need to be prepared for any of a number of reactions she may have. I'm sure she has a mask too, but I'm sure that it isn't nearly as shocking as mine.
Just remember, even those that don't belong to our community put on masks too. We aren't the only ones to keep secrets.
THE STRANGER
- Billy Joel
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 intentions
You will never quench the fire
You'll give in to your desire
When the stranger comes along
Just never really listened to the lyrics so closely and wow what a wonderful song. Thanks for sharing that Hannah
I have always loved Billy Joel's songs but this is the first time I have read those lyrics from 'our' perspective. It certainly does appear that he is writing of the woman who is hidden inside and I would not be at all surprised if he is a CD or trans.
I've been dressing full time now for a couple with no attempt to pass as female, and one of the things I never expected in my life would happen was all the cis men and women who'd secretly tell me how lucky they think I am. So many women have told me they don't feel like their bodies define them and don't feel like "women," and so many men have told me they wish they could have the freedom to be feminine like me. In the beginning this was all super intense but it taught me that my existence makes so many people wish they could be free to be themselves. That's such a super important responsibility for me I try my best to live up to. It's made me think we're all trans, it's just some of us have the courage to own up to it.
