Strange Way

Firefall's previous hits, "You Are the Woman" and "Just Remember I Love You," are about finding that special someone and loving that person unconditionally. In "Strange Way," it has turned sour, and the guy feels like he's being used. The woman sounds like she's wallowing in self-pity, and he's telling her that she's bringing him down and doesn't want to deal with it anymore. It's a far cry from "just remember I love you and it will be alright."

"Strange Way" was written by Firefall singer/guitarist Rick Roberts, who along with fellow singer/guitarist Larry Burnett, wrote most of their songs. Roberts wrote most of their hits, which was his M.O. - he crafted them to be radio friendly. Burnett's songs were darker with more rock leanings.

This was the first track and the big hit from Firefall's third album, Elan. The group formed in Boulder, Colorado but came from all over the country (their bass player, Mark Andes, was a member of Spirit). In the mid-'70s, there was a singer-songwriter exodus from Los Angeles to Boulder, and the Laurel Canyon sound seeped into songs like this one.