Strange

Grace Jones' song "Strange" is a haunting exploration of the eerie familiarity of certain faces and the unsettling presence they bring. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a mysterious figure who seems to be a constant, yet unwelcome, presence in the narrator's life. The opening lines, "Strange I've seen that face before / Seen him hanging round my door," suggest a sense of déjà vu and an ominous feeling of being watched. This figure is likened to a hawk and the night, both symbols of predation and darkness, enhancing the song's eerie atmosphere.

The song's setting shifts to a rainy, bustling boulevard in Paris, where the narrator feels the shadow of this figure following them home. The echoing footsteps and drifting Parisian music create a cinematic backdrop, evoking a sense of noir mystery. The French lyrics, "Tu cherches quoi, recontrer la mort? / Tu te prends pour qui / Toi aussi tu detestes la vie," add a layer of existential dread, questioning the purpose and identity of this shadowy figure and hinting at a shared disdain for life.

As the song progresses, the narrative delves into the life of Joelle, a character who dances in bars and restaurants and goes home with anyone who wants. This portrayal of a transient, perhaps lonely existence, is punctuated by the chilling image of the figure standing alone, staring with eyes that "chill me to the bone." The final lines, describing Joelle's room with photos on the walls and a door that slams shut, leave a lingering sense of finality and unresolved tension. Grace Jones masterfully combines elements of noir, existentialism, and urban loneliness to create a song that is both haunting and thought-provoking.