Introduction:
Stranger in My Own Hometown, released in 1970, is a soulful blues ballad by the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley. The song is a departure from Presley’s earlier, high-energy rock and roll sound, showcasing a more mature and introspective side of the artist. It was included on his album Back in Memphis, a collection of songs recorded at American Sound Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, marking a return to his musical roots after years of soundtrack work for Hollywood films. The album was produced by the legendary Jerry Wexler who, along with Presley, brought together a group of top-notch Memphis session musicians who had played on many of Stax Records’ successful soul recordings.
Stranger in My Own Hometown wasn’t a single release and therefore didn’t climb the Billboard charts. However, it has become a fan favorite over the years, lauded for its raw emotion and considered a prime example of Presley’s versatility as a vocalist. The song resonates with themes of alienation and disillusionment, touching on the experience of returning home after a period of success only to find yourself feeling like an outsider.
While the exact inspiration behind the song remains unknown, it’s interesting to consider the context of Presley’s life at the time of recording. In the mid-1960s, his career had taken a backseat to a string of commercially unsuccessful Hollywood musicals. He also faced increasing scrutiny from critics who dismissed him as a fad. Back in Memphis and Stranger in My Own Hometown can be seen as a conscious effort by Presley to regain creative control and refocus on his roots in rhythm and blues and soul music. The song’s lyrics speak of a narrator returning home with “good intentions” only to be met with indifference or even hostility from his former community. This could be interpreted as an expression of Presley’s own frustration with the music industry and the public’s perception of him.
Despite not being a chart-topping hit, Stranger in My Own Hometown endures as a powerful and poignant song in Presley’s catalogue. It showcases his remarkable vocal talent and his ability to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level. The song continues to resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, even in a familiar place.
Video:
Lyrics:
I’m like a strangerLike a stranger in my own home townI’m like a strangerLike a stranger in my own home townMy so-called friends stopped being friendlyAh, but you can’t keep a good man downNo you can’t keep him downI came home with good intentionsAbout five or six years agoI came home with good intentionsAbout five or six years agoMy hometown town won’t accept meJust don’t feel welcome here no moreMy hometown won’t accept meI just don’t feel welcome here no moreI came home with good intentionsAbout five or six years ago, yes I didI came home with good intentionsAbout five or six years agoBut my hometown won’t accept meJust don’t feel welcome here no moreI’m like a stranger, like a stranger in my own home townYeah, I’m like a stranger, like a stranger in my own home townMy so-called friends stopped being friendlyAh, but you can’t keep a good man downMy so-called friends stopped being friendly, ah, na, na, na, naI came home with good intentionsAbout five or six years ago, yes I didI came home with good intentionsAbout five or six years agoMy so-called friends stopped being friendlyAh, but you can’t keep a good man downI’m like a stranger, like a stranger in my own home townI’m like a stranger, like a stranger in my own home townMy so-called friends stopped being friendlyAw, but you can’t keep a good man downYeah baby, yeah baby, yeah baby