Infidelity, told by the one who stays. She smells the lie, finds the note and burns it, and keeps the porch light on anyway — because half of him beats waking up alone. Then the bridge turns it round: some night, she could be somebody’s stranger too.
The line
“’Cause losing you in pieces / Is a gentler way to die.”
Lyrics
Midnight, and your key turns slow
You practice smiles behind the door
I know that scent — it isn't mine
I've smelled that lie before
We used to dance without the lights
Now dark is where your secrets live
You speak in someone else's sighs
And ask me to forgive
Every night, a stranger
Slides between our sheets
He wears your face, he says my name
But tastes of other streets
Every night, a stranger
And I pretend I'm blind
'Cause losing you in pieces
Is a gentler way to die
Morning, and you sleep like snow
So peaceful for a practiced liar
I fold your shirt, I find her note
And feed it to the fire
There's someone at the corner bar
Who looks at me the way you did
Some night I might not turn away
Some night — God forgive —
I could be somebody's stranger too
Every night, a stranger
Slides between our sheets
He wears your face, he says my name
But tastes of other streets
Every night, a stranger
And I keep the porch light on
'Cause even half of you beside me
Beats waking up alone
Strangers
In our bed
Strangers