Introduction:
You Could Know as Much About a Stranger is a melancholic country song performed by American country music singer Gene Watson. Released in 1975, the song is a B-side to the single Love In The Hot Afternoon, the title track from Watson’s studio album of the same name. While not achieving the chart success of the A-side, You Could Know as Much About a Stranger resonated with listeners, becoming a well-regarded track among Watson’s discography.
The producer for Love In The Hot Afternoon and You Could Know as Much About a Stranger was Russ Reeder. Reeder was a prominent figure in shaping the sound of Nashville country music in the 1960s and 1970s, working with artists like Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, and Conway Twitty. You Could Know as Much About a Stranger exemplifies Reeder’s signature production style, which often incorporated elements of pop music and politan sensibilities** into the traditional country framework.
The songwriter behind You Could Know as Much About a Stranger is Nadine Bryant. While biographical details about Bryant are somewhat scarce, You Could Know as Much About a Stranger showcases her talent for crafting lyrics that capture the emotional complexities of relationships. The song’s poignant message about the feeling of disconnect that can grow between romantic partners, even after years spent together, struck a chord with audiences and helped solidify Watson’s reputation as a singer who could deliver powerful and relatable country ballads.
Video:
Lyrics:
Our bodies lay here side by side
But our thoughts have turned the other way
We make the conversation of two people
Who have nothing left to say
We’re so accustomed to each other
We no longer care or bother
And there lies the danger
You know the size of clothes I wear
And you know how I comb my hair
But you could know as much about a stranger
I can’t remember the last time
That I really wanted you
And we both say nothing’s wrong
But it’s here in everything we do
So we get up from our beds
Leaving many things unsaid
And there lies the danger
Many of my words you don’t hear
You seldom notice if I’m near
You could know as much about a stranger
What went wrong, I can’t name it
Find the fault, I can’t blame it
On any one thing
We’re so used to things this way
Tomorrow’s just like yesterday
And there lies the danger
You know the colour of my eyes
You know the things I despise
But you could know as much about a stranger
Yes, you could know as much about a stranger