"We all have that face that we hide away forever..."

"We all have that face that we hide away forever, and we take them out and show ourselves when everyone has gone."

Song information:

Title: The Stranger

Artist: Billy Joel

Album/Year: The Stranger (1977)

View Complete Lyrics

Song and Video

Jessica's Analysis

I like this song a lot. Though much before my time, the lyrics stand true today. The jazzy beginning with that haunting whistle (and who can help but whistle along?) turns into a rockin' guitar and rock backbeat. Amazing. Way to go, Piano Man. Here's the breakdown: The lyrics are so true. We have several different 'faces' or personalities that we keep hidden or only show to certain groups or people. (E.g.-Around your mother you may a completely different person than you are when you're around your drinking buddies.) In my opinion, the character in "The Stranger" has lost his/her lover because they couldn't open up enough to each other to share their other 'faces,' so they felt disconnected. Another thing I think the song is saying is that we tend to hide those 'faces' because they don't seem socially/politically acceptable. I think by saying 'he isn't always evil and he isn't always wrong,' he/she's saying that it's alright to be whoever you are wherever you are, because you might be hurting yourself more than helping.

Please understand that my opinion doesn't have to be yours. If you disagree, strike up a conversation about it! That's the design of the Project. We'll all learn a little somethin'.