Stranger in My House (Tamia song)

"Stranger in My House" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Tamia. It was written by Shae Jones and frequent collaborator Shep Crawford and produced by the latter. Initially helmed for fellow R&B singer Toni Braxton, it was left unused and later recorded by Tamia for her second studio album, A Nu Day (2000). Inspired by the surprise ending of the supernatural thriller film The Sixth Sense (1999), the strings-led, dramatic contemporary R&B ballad is about a woman who is confused with her partners recent change in behavior and goes into denial about it.

"Stranger in My House"
Single by Tamia
from the album A Nu Day
ReleasedFebruary 13, 2001
Recorded2000
GenreR&B
Length4:47
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Shep Crawford
Tamia singles chronology
"Can't Go for That"
(2000)		 "Stranger in My House"
(2001)		 "Tell Me Who"
(2001)

The song was released as the album's second single in February 2001. Upon its release, it received a positive reception from music critics who complimened the singer for her vocal performance, and reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Tamia's first top ten hit on the chart. "Stranger in My House" also peaked at number three on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while reaching the top spot on the Dance Club Songs chart. An accompanying music video, directed by Paul Hunter, features Tamia performing in an indoor pool.

Background

"Stranger in My House" was written by singer Shae Jones and producer Shep Crawford.[1] Initially penned with fellow R&B singer Toni Braxton in mind, it was conceived after a writer’s block during which Crawford failed to come up with a song for Braxton.[2] He was eventually inspired to resume work after watching the supernatural psychological thriller film The Sixth Sense (1999) and its surprise ending which encouraged him to write a song "that has a twist," leading to the lyrics "could it be that the stranger is me / Have I changed so drastically / And you remained the same."[2] However, when the ballad was offered to Braxton for recording, her record company LaFace Records rejected it.[2]

Left unusued, "Stranger in My House" was one out of several records Crawford played for Tamia when Elektra Records consulted him to work with her on her second album A Nu Day (2000).[3] The singer reportedly "loved" the record.[2] However, it was not after a meeting with Elektra head Sylvia Rhone that "Stranger in My House" was bought for Tamia to record.[2] Tracking of the song took place at both the Paramount Studios in Hollywood and The Enterprise Studios in Burbank, and was overseen by Anne Catalino, and Jamie Seyberth.[1] Jimmy "Professa" Russell played the guitar, while backing vocals were provided by Jones.[1] Mixing was handled by Kevin Davis.[1] In 2017, Tamia cited "Stranger in My House" as one of her favorite songs within her discography, telling: "‘Stranger in My House’ was a long time ago, but I love performing that song [...] I can’t wait to get to it in a show. So that’s what I compare [any new material] to."[4]

Release and reception
Critics compared the song to the material of Toni Braxton (pictured) for whom the song was initially written for.[1]

"Stranger in My House" received favorable reviews from music critics. In his review for parent album A Nu Day, Chuck Taylor from Billboard called the song "gut-wrenching" and "a surefire crossover hit and should be the album's second (or third) single."[5] The song debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 79 for the chart dated January 13, 2001.[6] Over the course of its first thirteen weeks on the chart, during which it was charting based solely on airplay and sales of its vinyl 12-inch single,[7] the song had reached an initial peak of number 38.[8] Following its retail release in the more popular CD single format, it jumped from number 53 to its peak of number 10 for the chart dated April 14, 2001, having sold 48,500 copies that week.[7] It also jumped from number 19 to its peak of number 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart the same week, having previously reached as high as number 9.[9][10] "Stranger in My House" was also a success in dance clubs, topping the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for the issue dated March 3, 2001.[11]

Music video

The music video for "Stranger in My House" was filmed by Paul Hunter. It marked his third collaboration with Tamia following their work on ""Make Tonight Beautiful" and "Imagination."[12]

Track listings
US CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Stranger in My House" (Album Version)4:48
2."Uh'n... to You" (Album Version)4:13
US CD maxi single
No.TitleLength
1."Stranger in My House" (Album Version)4:48
2."Stranger in My House" (Thunderpuss Radio Mix)10:33
3."Stranger in My House" (HQ2 Radio Mix)4:20
4."Stranger in My House" (Maurice's Club Radio Mix)3:55
5."Stranger in My House" (So So Def Remix)4:57
6."Stranger in My House" (Thunderpuss Club Mix)3:57
7."Stranger in My House" (HQ2 Club Mix)8:09
8."Stranger in My House" (Maurice's Club Anthem)6:37
9."Stranger in My House" (HQ2 Club Mix Acapella)5:00

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of A Nu Day.[1]

  • Backing vocals – Shae V. Jones
  • Drum programming, keyboards, producer – Anthony "Shep" Crawford
  • Guitar – Professa
  • Mixing – Kevin Davis
  • Recording – Anne Catalino
  • Tracking – Anne Catalino, Jamie Seyberth

Charts
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References
  1. Tamia (Media notes). Tamia. Elektra. 2000.CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. "YouKnowIGotSoul Presents Anatomy of a Hot Song: The Creation of Tamia's "Stranger in my House"". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  3. "Interview: Producer Shep Crawford Talks Making Hit Records". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  4. "R&B Singer Tamia: I Compare All My New Music to 'Stranger in My House'". huffpost.com. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  5. "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. October 21, 2000. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  6. "The Hot 100: Week of January 13, 2001". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  7. Pietroluongo, Silvio (April 14, 2001). "Hot 100 Spotlight". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 113 (15): 78. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  8. "The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 113 (14): 108. April 7, 2001. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  9. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of April 14, 2001". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  10. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 113 (14): 52. April 7, 2001. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  11. "Dance Club Songs: Week of March 3, 2001". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  12. "Artist Videography". mvdbase.com. ASG. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  13. "Tamia Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  14. "Tamia Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  15. "Tamia Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  16. "Tamia Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  17. "The Year in Music 2001: Hot 100". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 113 (52): YE-40. December 29, 2001. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  18. "The Year in Music 2001: Dance". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 113 (52): YE-48. December 29, 2001. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  19. "The Year in Music 2001: R&B/Hip-Hop". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 113 (52): YE-44. December 29, 2001. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
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