We haven’t met but it feels like I already know who you are. I never felt being so close to a

stranger. There’s like this fine invisible line that somehow connects me with you. You may not

feel it but I knew inside me that you are something. Someone more than just a stranger. Never

in my life did I search for someone or something I don’t know. I mean, who would? But when

the worlds gave me the chance to see a glimpse of who this stranger is, I was exhilarated. I am

looking forward of meeting this person even though I am not sure if I would have the chance

to. This thrills and scares me at the same time. What if I will never have the chance to meet this

person? Will I still be connected to that someone? I don’t know what will happen next but I am

willing to do anything I can just to have that “chance.”

This book is for that stranger. These songs are for you. I want you to know who I am. It maybe

the most straightforward statement I have said but I don’t want to miss this chance of meeting

a stranger you think you have a connection with. The questions on this book are the words I

want to ask you. If fate will give me the chance to ask these personally, I would definitely do it

and eagerly listen to your answers.

Nice to meet you, stranger.

3

SONGS TO A STRANGER

If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your

life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

4

SONGS TO A STRANGER

Don’t take this the wrong way,

You knew who I was with every step that I

ran to you, Only blue or black days,

Electing strange perfections in any stranger

I choose.

Would things be easier if there was a right

way? Honey, there is no right way.

And so I fall in love just a little, a lit-

tle bit every day with someone new

There’s an art to life’s distractions,

To somehow escape the burning weight, the

art of scraping through, Some like to imag-

ine, The dark caress of someone else, I

guess any thrill will do.

5

SONGS TO A STRANGER

Would you like to be famous? In what way?

6

SONGS TO A STRANGER

Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why

haven’t you done it?

7

SONGS TO A STRANGER

But I don’t want “good” and I don’t want

“good enough” I “can’t sleep, can’t breathe

without your love” Front porch and one more

kiss, it doesn’t make sense to anybody else.

Who cares if you’re all I think about,

I’ve searched the world and I know now,

It ain’t right if you ain’t lost your mind

I don’t want easy, I want crazy

I wanna be scared, don’t wanna know why

Wanna feel good, don’t have to be right

The world makes all kinds of rules for love

I say you gotta let it do what it does.

I don’t want just another hug and a kiss

goodnight. Catchin’ up calls and a date

sometimes. I love that we’re rebels, and we

still believe. We’re the kind of crazy peo-

ple wish that they could be,

Tonight the midnight rules are breaking

There’s no such thing as wild enough,

And maybe we just think too much

Who needs to play it safe in love?

Let’s be crazy.

8

SONGS TO A STRANGER

What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?

9

SONGS TO A STRANGER

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality

or ability, what would it be?

10

SONGS TO A STRANGER

I’m not surprised, not everything lasts

I’ve broken my heart so many times I stopped

keeping track

Talk myself in, I talk myself out

I get all worked up then I let myself down

I tried so very hard not to lose it

I came up with a million excuses

I thought, I thought of every possibility

And I know some day that it’ll all turn out

You’ll make me work so we can work to work

it out

And I promise you kid that I’ll give so much

more than I get

I just haven’t met you yet

I might have to wait, I’ll never give up

I guess it’s half timing and the other

half’s luck

Wherever you are, whenever it’s right

You’ll come out of nowhere and into my life

And I know that we can be so amazing

And baby your love is gonna change me

And now I can see every possibility

11

SONGS TO A STRANGER

When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

12

SONGS TO A STRANGER

If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you

change anything about the way you are now living? Why?

13

SONGS TO A STRANGER

Taking me higher than I’ve ever been before

I’m holding it back, just want to shout out,

give me more

You’re just a hideaway, you’re just a feel-

ing

You let my heart escape beyond the meaning

Not even I can find a way to stop the storm

Baby, it’s out of my control, what’s going

on?

But you’re just a chance I take to keep on

dreaming

You’re just another day that keeps me

breathing

Baby, I love the way that there’s nothing

sure. Baby, don’t stop me, hide away with me

some more

You send me the shiver up my spine, might

overflow

You’re bringing me closer to the edge of

letting go

14

SONGS TO A STRANGER

What is your most treasured memory?

15

SONGS TO A STRANGER

If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please

share what would be important for him or her to know.

16

SONGS TO A STRANGER

But sometimes, I just want somebody to hold

Someone to give me their jacket when it’s

cold

Got that young love even when we’re old

Yeah sometimes, I want someone to grab my

hand

Pick me up, pull me close, be my man

I will love you till the end

So if you’re out there I swear to be good to

you

But I’m done lookin’, for my future someone

Cause when the time is right

You’ll be here, but for now

Dear no one, this is your love song

I don’t really like big crowds

I tend to shut people out

I like my space, yeah

But I’d love to have a soulmate

And God’ll give him to me someday

And I know it’ll be worth the wait

Sometimes, I just want somebody to hold

Someone to give me their jacket when it’s

cold

Got that young love even when we’re old

Yeah sometimes, I want someone to grab my

hand

Pick me up, pull me close, be my man

I will love you till the end

17

SONGS TO A STRANGER

Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share ... “

18

SONGS TO A STRANGER

If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate

with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why

haven’t you told them yet?

19

SONGS TO A STRANGER

Woke up this morning

Heard the TV sayin’ something

‘Bout disaster in the world and

It made me wonder where I’m going

There’s so much darkness in the world

But I see beauty left in you boy

And what you give me let’s me know

That I’ll be alright

‘Cause if your love was all I had

In this life

Well that would be enough

Until the end of time

So rest your weary heart

And relax your mind

Cause I’m gonna love you boy

Until the end of time

Now if you’re ever wondering

About the way I’m feeling

Well baby boy there ain’t no question

Just to be around you is a blessing

Sick and tired of trying to save the world

I just want to spend my time with you boy

And what you’re giving me

Let’s me know that we’ll be alright.

20

SONGS TO A STRANGER

What is your most terrible memory?

21

SONGS TO A STRANGER

How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was

happier than most other people’s?

22

SONGS TO A STRANGER

Flock of birds

Hovering above

Just a flock of birds

It’s how you think of love

And I always

Look up to the sky

Pray before the dawn

‘Cause they fly always

Sometimes they arrive

Sometimes they are gone

They fly on

Flock of birds

Hovering above

Into smoke I’m turned

And rise following them up

So fly on

Ride through

Maybe one day I’ll fly next to you

Fly on, ride through

Maybe one day I can fly with you

23

SONGS TO A STRANGER

What does friendship mean to you?

24

SONGS TO A STRANGER

If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind

or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which

would you want?

25

SONGS TO A STRANGER

All of the lights land on you

The rest of the world fades from view

And all of the love I see

Please say you feel it too

And all of the noise I hear inside

Restless and loud, unspoken and wild

And all that you need to say

To make it all go away

Is that you feel the same way too

And I know

The scariest part is letting go

‘Cause love is a ghost you can’t control

I promise you the truth can’t hurt us now

So let the words slip out of your mouth

And all of the steps that led me to you

And all of the hell I had to walk through

But I wouldn’t trade a day for the chance to

say

My love, I’m in love with you

I know that we’re both afraid

We both made the same mistakes

An open heart is an open wound to you

And in the wind of a heavy choice

Love has a quiet voice

Still your mind, now I’m yours to choose

26

SONGS TO A STRANGER

When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

27

SONGS TO A STRANGER

Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving

your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash

to save any one item. What would it be? Why?

28

SONGS TO A STRANGER

Electric, I feel you

Start line, fall down

And I never wanted to let you go

To hold someone

Somebody else, no

Breaking hearts everywhere you go

Tell me where you go

Cause paper hearts were meant to unfold

I keep giving it all, just to love someone

Stars shine, I think I love you

Giving my heart to you

I’ll be giving it all

Stop sign, I think I love you

Giving my heart to you

No one, before you

No one, no

Sky falls, around you

Before I, let go

And I never wanted to let you go

To hold someone

Somebody else, no

Breaking hearts everywhere you go

Tell me where you go

29

SONGS TO A STRANGER

What roles do love and affection play in your life?

30

SONGS TO A STRANGER

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality

or ability, what would it be?

31

SONGS TO A STRANGER

It’s just another night

And I’m staring at the moon

I saw a shooting star

And thought of you

I sang a lullaby

By the waterside and knew

If you were here,

I’d sing to you

You’re on the other side

As the skyline splits in two

I’m miles away from seeing you

I can see the stars

I wonder, do you see them, too?

So open your eyes and see

The way our horizons meet

And all of the lights will lead

Into the night with me

And I know these scars will bleed

But both of our hearts believe

All of these stars will guide us home

32

SONGS TO A STRANGER

How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?

33

SONGS TO A STRANGER

I don’t know where this will take me but I did

what I can do to share you a huge piece of myself.

This is what I am and these are the things that run

in my mind whenever I think of you, stranger. I’m

looking forward to meeting you. Hoping someday

I can physically be connected with you. These are

my words that are always meant for you. People

say, “you never give up on people you love.” I

am in certainty that I am not yet in love but we’ll

never know what this world will bring to our lives.

Maybe fate will give us the chance or not but hey,

atleast I tried. I can die happily knowing that I had

the courage to tell someone what I genuinely feel.

You gave me the courage and I will be forever

grateful. By the way, my name is Raph. Hope to

meet you soon, A.