Stranger (formerly known as Stranger in the Corner) is a formerly unidentified new wave/minimal synthpop song by New York-based band Shöx Lumania, recorded on August 20th, 1982[1].
Search History
2023
On June 10th, 2023, user Kenny Cathead posted a one hour and 25-minute video titled "Unknown" to YouTube. It featured many snippets recorded off of the radio in the 1980s.
The ten-second snippet played 13 minutes and one second into the video. With the 23-second snippet playing 16 minutes and 48 seconds in.
On June 18th, 2023, Kenny posted a 23-second snippet onto WatZatSong, giving it the placeholder name “Bass & Synth 1983”. The song was recorded off of a New York or New Jersey based radio station in 1983.
On July 12th, 2023, Kenny posted an additional ten-second snippet to WatZatSong. He gave the snippet the placeholder name "Stranger in the Corner" after its sole lyric line.
On August 16th, 2023, user MistaEgg pointed out that both of the snippets were very similar sounding, and it is widely assumed that this snippet is part of the song or by the same band.
Over time, the song was reuploaded to YouTube by several users, such as Barni, MistaEgg, Q, Unidentified Songs, No Background, P, SpikeytheCactus, Jcorsen, S2h, Ofrix, DSHenricus, LostwaveFinder, AlianTheObscure, Zumi, Anon0122, Rivo, Murphy, Rocketballboi, and multiple others, amassing over 40k views.
On November 24th, 2023, on the FMM Discord thread for the songs he posted, Kenny said that he was not the person who recorded the tapes, but instead a friend who was trying to make a sound collage, but he recorded a few things.[2]
2024-2025: Shöx Lumania Lead
On March 11th, 2024, user Max Many Mix commented on Q's reupload, bringing up the possibility of it being an alternate version of Stranger by Shöx Lumania, specifically a remake that aired on the radio but was never released, though he could only find the 1978 version. He also mentioned how the band's 1983 song Falling sounded similar.[3]
On the same day, Man Parrish, who uploaded the music video of the 1978 version of Stranger to YouTube, was contacted by user Nevada and asked if the song had an alternate version. Man responded, saying:
"Hi, thanks again for asking. That was recorded in 1978 to a cassette tape. There was no way to do any other versions like today when we can do remixes and have digital files. It’s quite amazing that we found this video but unfortunately, that track is long gone and this seems to be the only existing copy of the music. Actually… I wish I did have a copy of it because I wouldre-release it and do a few different versions. I’m sorry I don’t have better news, but thank you so much for asking!"[4]
On October 23rd, 2025, the song was identified by Discord user Fin/Occupiedmind as in fact being a version of Stranger by Shöx Lumania recorded on August 20th, 1982, after finding a copy in the Cornell University archive.
Lyrics
[Rolling on take three of "Stranger"]
[Rolling!]
[Verse 1]
There's a stranger in the corner
Have you seen that stranger in the crowd?
[Verse 2]
Ever been the stranger around here?
You're just too strange to be a stranger
Stranger, stranger, yeah
You
[Chorus]
I'd rather be a stranger in Russia
Or just one evening in Hong Kong
When nothing seems familiar, you can't be narrowed down
Only to pick out, only to stick out
[Verse 1 (Repeat)]
There's a stranger in the corner
Have you seen that stranger in the crowd?
[Verse 2 (Repeat)]
Ever been the stranger around here?
You're just too strange to be a stranger
Stranger, stranger, yeah
You
[Chorus]
I'd rather be a stranger in Russia
Or just one evening in Hong Kong
When nothing seems familiar, you can't be narrowed down
Only to pick out, only to stick out-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-out
[Outro]
Stranger, stranger
Stranger
Shöx Lumania
Shöx Lumania (pronounced as "Shocks Loo-mania") was a new wave and punk band from New York, USA.
The band consisted of:
- Lari Shöx (Larry Hyrnyk) (vocals)
- Anton Sanko (synthesizer, guitar)
- John Schavone (keyboards)
- Richard Bone (synthesizer)
- Stephanie Kaye (backing vocals)
- Barbara Jordan (backing vocals)
- Doug Graves (electronic drums)
- John Morello (drums)
- Marilyn Zaique (percussion)
Gallery
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External Links
- The first 24-second WatZatSong post.
- Additional 10-second WatZatSong post.
- Combined Snippets.
- Full Song.
- Music Video.
