Queensryche - Eyes Of A Stranger

Queensryche - Eyes Of A Stranger - Meaning of the song

"Eyes of a Stranger" is a song by progressive metal band Queensrÿche appearing on their 1988 album Operation: Mindcrime. It is the last song on Operation Mindcrime, summarizing the story in the album. It has also been featured on two of their compilations, Greatest Hits and Sign of the Times: The Best of Queensrÿche. It was the band's first single to chart on the US Mainstream Rock chart, where it reached number 35.

Known as a fan favorite, the group has played the song often live, doing so over a thousand times as of April 2016, and the track is the band's number one most played song in its setlist history.

Eyes of a Stranger is another Chris DeGarmo special, that he co-wrote with Geoff Tate. In the Operation Mindcrime story, it is an introspective on Nikki’s character. Throughout the story he was surrounded by death and depression. He was brainwashed into becoming a sleeper political assassin. He was triggered into action by the words Mindcrime. He was a drug addict and he was a lover. In Eyes Of A Stranger Nikki is looking into the mirror, and realizing that he doesn’t recognize the person he’s become. He is broken and alone, trying to find some form of redemption. The beauty of this song is that even though it is a song in a greater story, it also stands alone on a song on its own and it gets us thinking.

Eyes Of A Stranger - Lyrics

All alone now Except for the memories Of what we had and what we knew Everytime I try to leave it behind me I see something that reminds me of you Every night the dreams return to haunt me Your rosary wrapped around your throat I lie awake and sweat, afraid to fall asleep I see your face looking back at me And I raise my head and stare Into the eyes of a stranger I've always known that the mirror never lies People always turn away From the eyes of a stranger Afraid to know what Lies behind the stare Is this all that's left Of my life before me Straight jacket memories, sedative highs No happy ending like they've always promised There's got to be something left for me And I raise my head and stare Into the eyes of a stranger I've always known that the mirror never lies People always turn away From the eyes of a stranger Afraid to know what Lies behind the stare (Lies behind my stare) How many times must I live this tragedy How many more lies will they tell me All I want is the same as everyone Why am I here, and for how long And I raise my head and stare Into the eyes of a stranger I've always known that the mirror never lies People always turn away From the eyes of a stranger Afraid to know what Lies behind the stare Eyes of a Stranger midi