OldiesButGoodies

Country

George Strait – If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)

If You're Thinking You Want A Stranger (There's One Coming Home) - song and lyrics by George Strait | Spotify

Introduction:

If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home), a heartfelt plea for reconciliation wrapped in a classic country melody, was released in 1981 by the “King of Country Music,” George Strait. The song, penned by songwriting duo Blake Mevis and David Wills, showcased Strait’s signature smooth vocals and storytelling ability, propelling it to become a major hit for the rising star.

Prior to the release of If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger, Strait had already begun to carve a niche for himself in the country music scene. He released his self-titled debut album in 1981, which established his distinctive neotraditional country sound – a blend of traditional country instrumentation and songwriting with a more polished, contemporary production style. If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger became a cornerstone of that sound, showcasing a relatable theme and catchy melody that resonated with audiences.

If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger tells the story of a man pleading with his partner for another chance. The lyrics acknowledge his past mistakes, promising a change in behavior (“No more late nights, comin’ in at daylight, and no more doin’ you wrong”). The urgency in his voice and the sincerity of the lyrics struck a chord with listeners, particularly those who had experienced similar situations in their own relationships.

The song’s success was undeniable. If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and remained there for two weeks. It also achieved crossover success, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a significant feat for a country song at the time. This dual-chart success solidified Strait’s position as a rising star and helped to bridge the gap between country and mainstream music.

If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger‘s impact extended beyond the charts. The song garnered critical acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1986. It remains a staple of Strait’s live performances and a beloved classic among country music fans.

If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger‘s enduring popularity is a testament to the song’s relatable theme, catchy melody, and George Strait’s unmatched performing ability. The song not only captured a specific moment in country music history but also solidified George Strait’s place as a country music legend.

Video:

https://youtu.be/YIhkbhgTStc?si=FKEO04RnQG3rDbU4

Lyrics:

Lately you’ve been showin’ all the signs
Of a woman with someone else on her mind
It’s not your fault
Some nights i’ve left you alone
And if you’re thinking you want a stranger
There’s one coming home

Chorus:
If you’re thinking you want a stranger
I’ll soon be there
You’re gonna see a change in me
This time i swear
No more late nights
Comin’ in at daylight
And no more doin’ you wrong
And if you’re thinking you want a stranger
There’s one coming home

Bought you a silk gown and perfume today
Picked up some roses and champagne on the way
Oh i called to ask you to put some soft music on
Cause if you’re thinking you want a stranger
There’s one coming home

Chorus

If you’re thinking you want a stranger
There’s one coming home

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Merle Haggard’s childhood was becoming increasingly chaotic when something entered his life that would eventually change everything: a guitar. His older brother Lowell gave him one when Merle was around 12. Merle began teaching himself, absorbing the records and styles of country heroes such as Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. There were no expensive lessons preparing him for Nashville. There was simply a troubled California kid listening closely and learning how another man’s sadness could live inside a melody. Merle would still make plenty of mistakes. Music didn’t instantly rescue him from running away, juvenile detention or eventually prison. But the guitar remained. Years later, millions would recognize Merle’s voice within seconds. Perhaps that’s because he wasn’t merely learning how to sing songs as a boy. He was slowly learning how to tell the truth about his own life.

Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

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