I NEVER TALK TO STRANGERS
As recorded by Tom Waits and Bette Midler on Midler's album "Broken Blossom" (1977)
and on Waits' album "Used Songs" (2001)

[W] Stop me if you've heard this one,
But I feel as though we've met before.
Perhaps I am mistaken.
[M] But it's just that I remind you of
Someone you used to care about.
Oh, but that was long ago.
Now, tell me: do you really think I'd fall for that old line?
I was not born just yesterday.
Besides, I never talk to strangers anyway.

[W] Hell, I ain't a bad guy when you get to know me.
I just thought there ain't no harm.
[M] Hey, yeah, just try minding your own business, bud.
Who asked you to annoy me
With your sad, sad repartee?
Besides, I never talk to strangers anyway.

Your life's a dime-store novel.
This town is full of guys like you,
And you're looking for someone to take the place of her.
[W] You must be reading my mail,
And you're bitter cause he left you.
That's why you're drinking in this bar.
[Both] Well, only suckers fall in love with perfect strangers.

[M] It always takes one to know one, stranger.
[W] Maybe we're just wiser now.
[M] Yeah, and been around the block so many times
[W] That we don't notice
[Both] That we're all just perfect strangers
As long as we ignore
That we all begin as strangers
Just before we find
We really aren't strangers anymore.