Be A Stranger

Bear Quartet · Gay Icon [2001]

This apartment

was rented for a reason

But not the one

others might suspect

I'm not sure

I am missed or if he even notices

I'm not home

But it doesn't really matter

I came here to be a stranger

In order to have tried everything

and after all I am used to

be treated like one

I came here to be a stranger

In order to have tried everything

and after all I am used to

be treated like one

I grew old at nineteen

but it didn't seem to bother him

He said he liked what he saw

if he looked at me at all

So I packed what I had

determined to become

someone rather than anyone

I came here to be a stranger

in order to have tried everything

and after all I am used to

be treated as one

I came here to be a stranger

in order to have tried everything

and after all I am used to

be treated as one

Be A Stranger

Released on the 2001 album Gay Icon, "Be A Stranger" is a standout track by the British indie band Bear Quartet. The song exemplifies the group's signature blend of jangly guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and witty, often self-deprecating lyrics that characterize their work during the early 2000s. As part of the band's broader catalogue, the recording captures the energetic and slightly chaotic spirit of their live performances, which often featured extended improvisations and a distinct sense of humor. The track stands out within the album for its dynamic build and memorable chorus, reflecting the band's ability to craft catchy pop-rock anthems while maintaining a unique, irreverent voice in the English indie scene of that era.