"Stranger In A Strange Land" Song Lyrics by Bono / U2

In "Stranger in a Strange Land" from U2's October album, Bono’s lyrical poetry delves into themes of alienation, dislocation, and existential searching, reflecting the tension between feeling lost in the world while striving to understand one’s place within it. 

The title itself, which echoes biblical and literary references, suggests an individual wrestling with unfamiliarity and estrangement, both physically and spiritually. 

Bono crafts the narrative from a place of isolation, perhaps referencing personal experiences of feeling out of place amid the band’s early tours in Europe and America, where cultural and emotional differences created a sense of being adrift. 

The song’s protagonist grapples with a world that feels foreign, capturing a broader human experience of encountering the unknown, whether in terms of geography, relationships, or inner identity.

"Stranger In A Strange Land" Song Lyrics by Bono / U2

Stranger, stranger in a strange land
He looked at me like I was the one who should run
We asked him to smile for a photograph
Waited a while to see if we could make him laugh
The soldier asked for a cigarette
His smiling face I can't forget
He looked at me across the street

But that's a long way here
Oh, and I wish you were here
Oh, and I wish you were here

Stranger, stranger in a strange land
He looked at me like I was the one who should run
I watched as he watched us get back on the bus
I watched the way it was
The way it was when he was with us
And I really don't mind sleeping on the floor
But I couldn't sleep after what I saw
I wrote this letter to tell you the way I feel

Oh I wish you were here
Oh I wish you were here
To see what I could see
To hear
And I wish you were here

-

The imagery in the lyrics is sparse yet powerful, reflecting the desolate mood of the song. 

Lines like "I watched the sun go down" convey a moment of reflection, a passing of time that marks the feeling of being stuck in a liminal space—neither fully present nor entirely absent. The contrast between the external world and the internal emotional landscape highlights Bono’s skillful use of metaphor, where the physical setting reflects a deeper spiritual yearning. 

The concept of being a stranger also taps into the existential theme of life’s transient nature, emphasizing Bono’s preoccupation with faith and purpose throughout the October album. "Stranger in a Strange Land" becomes more than just a song about physical displacement; it evolves into a meditation on the human experience of feeling disconnected while searching for meaning, connection, and home.