The lyrics tell the story of a complicated love triangle where the narrator's lover expresses her love for someone else, ultimately ending their relationship. Despite still having feelings for her, they are destined to remain strangers when they see each other on the street.

Meaning of "Strangers When We Meet" by The Smithereens

The song "Strangers When We Meet" delves into the pain and heartbreak of unrequited love and the complexities of being in a relationship with someone who is emotionally unavailable. The narrator is caught in a web of emotions as their lover confesses her love for someone else, leaving them with a sense of longing and yearning for a love that can never be fully realized. The repeated plea of "please don't look my way" highlights the emotional distance and the need to maintain a facade of indifference in public, even though internally, the narrator is consumed by thoughts of their unattainable love. The lyrics capture the bittersweet nature of love, loss, and the inevitability of remaining strangers despite sharing intimate moments and emotions. It portrays the pain of letting go, moving on, and coming to terms with the fact that some connections are meant to remain unfulfilled.