Song written by Kim and Ricky Wilde. Sixth track of the album Close.
Released as a single in September 1988.
Versions
There are five versions of ‘Never trust a stranger’: the album version, the 7″ remix by Ricky Wilde, an extended version, the Sanjazz mix and a live version, recorded in Gateshead and released on the album Aliens Live.
There were a couple of remixes from DJ remix services, such as a remix by Joseph Watt for Razormaid and a remix by Stan Parchin & Steven Von Blan for Disconet.
Formats
The single was released on 7″ single, a limited edition 7″ single with gatefold sleeve, a 12″ single, a remix 12″ single and a CD-single.
See also this page in the discography.
Music video
A music video was filmed to promote the single. It was directed by Greg Masuak.
Go to this page for more information.
Live performances
‘Never Trust a Stranger’ was performed live during the Bad Tour in 1988, the German tour in December 1992, the Hits Tour in 1994, Here & Now Tour in 2001, Here & Now Christmas Party in 2002, Here & Now Greatest Hits Tour in 2003, Here & Now Tour in 2004, live concerts in 2005 and 2006, the Perfect Girl Tour in 2007, festival gigs in 2008, the Live 2009 Tour, Here & Now Tour 2009, Come Out and Play Tour in 2011, Quofestive, Snapshots & Greatest Hits tour in 2012, the tour with Nik Kershaw in Australia in 2013, Christmas gigs in December 2013, the Dutch tour in October 2015 and October 2016, the tour with Howard Jones in Australia in 2016, the Dutch tour in November 2017, the Wilde Wild Xmas Show in December 2017 the Here Come the Aliens Tour in 2018 and 2019, the Return of the Aliens Tour in 2019 and the Greatest Hits Tour in 2022 and 2023.
Cover versions
The song was covered by Belle Lawrence, Funkalists and Felicia Punzo.
A Czech language version called Stuj was recorded and released by Lucie Vondrácková.
A Spanish language version called ¡Hoy no! was recorded and released by Monica Naranjo.
Kim about ‘Never trust a stranger’
On your last hit single you sing about never trusting strangers. Is that a personal experience?
Yes, a very hurtful one. It’s about a love gone wrong. During that one I cried all night every night for a long time – but he wasn’t worth any of those tears. I always write about the things I have gone through myself. I can’t just imagine things and write about it, I have to have gone through a certain situation, otherwise I can’t write. (1)
I remember RIcky playing this backing track to me one day as I was writing in the artist’s accommodation at Select Sound Studios, Knebworth. We had owned the studio for a few years, re-designing an old doctor’s surgery into a state-of-the-art recording facility in the heart of Hertfordshire. I often stayed there whilst recording, rather than drive back to my flat in London after a long day in the studio. The ‘hit you hard in the chest’ backing track pulled no punches, and off I went to finish the lyrics. Some songs on ‘Close’ are autobiographical and personal, while others immerse themselves in a world of fantasy… this song was a bit of both 😉 (2)
It’s one of my favourites, Never Trust A Stranger, to perform. I get to really belt it out and it really suits my voice. (3)
Credits
Keyboards & programming: Ricky Wilde, Tony Swain
Guitars: Steve Byrd, Ricky Wilde
Produced by Ricky Wilde
Engineered by James Richards.
Mix engineered by Richard Lengyel
Highest chart positions
Austria: 2
France: 20
Germany: 11 (16 weeks)
Ireland: 5 (5 weeks)
Netherlands: 4 (12 weeks)
Sweden: 12 (10 weeks)
Switzerland: 4 (14 weeks)
United Kingdom: 7 (9 weeks)
Interview source
(1) Thomas Muster interviews Kim Wilde for RE, Rennbahn Express (Austria), January 1989
(2) Facebook Track by Track commentary, published 3 September 2013
(3) Unsung Heroes podcast, 17 July 2021
Lyrics
I knew there was a danger
But couldn’t resist
The touch of a stranger
The thrill of his kiss
Cos this time
I thought it was love
I thought it was heaven
Having the time of my life
I know it’s not true
Oh never trust a stranger with your heart
Oh no, never trust a stranger with your heart
My world is in pieces
You’ve stolen my pride
And I’m left defeated
And crushed by your lies
Like a tiger you hunted and tracked me down
Savaged my soul and took over control
And then when you’d used all the love you found
You left without trace
Not a note or a single goodbye
I thought it was love
I thought it was heaven
Having the time of my life
I know it’s not true
Oh never trust a stranger with your heart
Oh no, never trust a stranger with your heart