"Strange" is a song by British singer and songwriterCeleste. The song was released on 4 September 2019 through Both Sides and Polydor Records. It was written by Celeste, Stephen Wrabel, and Jamie Hartman, who also produced the track. She released a live version of the song on 20 September 2019, as well as the song's music video in November 2019. The original version has been edited for radio play, therefore excluding an extra verse towards the end of the song.
Background and composition
Celeste premiered the song at the BBC Music Introducing concert at The Lexington in February 2019. She told BBC, "You never know how you're gonna feel when you perform something for the first time and how people are going to react to it, and I had such a warm response and it seemed like it was a memorable song for people in that moment." Celeste told the Evening Standard, "They identified it as a special song.” "Strange" is "a tale of lost friendships and broken relationships". In the chorus, Celeste ponders: "Isn't it strange? / How people can change / From strangers to friends / Friends into lovers / And strangers again" over silky strings and a "haunting and delicate" piano melody. The song was written and recorded in Los Angeles during the 2018 California wildfires. Robin Murray from Clash noted that the damaged areas were "transformed into these hideous alien realms which began to view counterpoints to her own emotional turmoil." She told Idolator, “I began to think of all the destruction the fires caused, the loss, the isolation, people finding themselves in a situation where they have no home, no sense of familiarity,” After hearing Celeste sing "Tried to see through all the smoke," David Smyth from Evening Standard wrote, "her voice trails off close to silence, as though she isn’t quite sure of the words." Celeste commented on this statement, saying "It’s become one of my favourite songs I’ve written, because it allows me to live in the imperfections of my voice... The air was thick with smoke, which is why my voice sounds more husky than it is usually.” Modestas Mankus from Our Culture Mag wrote, "Celeste brings us a melancholic mood through a melodious voice and soft ad-like piano." "Strange" is composed in the key of D major with a moderate tempo of 136 beats per minute. The song features strings from musician Sebastian Plano.
Reception
Modestas Mankus from Our Culture Mag wrote: Idolator ranked the song at #34 on their list of The 75 Best Pop Songs Of 2019.
Music video
The music video for "Strange" was shot in Bulgaria in October 2019, and released on 7 November 2019. Celeste told Dork that the video "begins at the end and comes full circle, representing the reckless behaviours which can lead you from being lovers to strangers.” A French lyric video illustrated by Toby Calo was released on Celeste's social media platforms on Christmas Day 2019.
