[Verse 1]
I'd rather be lonely than let myself down
Get lost for a while as I wander around
I'd rather be only a face in the crowd
Instead of a figure or name

I'd rather be lonely and be on my way
Dividing myself up in ten separate ways
I'd rather the hassle of trying to change
Than ever feel hopeless again

[Chorus]
How do I know if I mean it?
How do I know if I can?
I feel better alone with a stranger
Than I ever did with a friend

[Verse 2]
I'd rather be lonely and act my own agе
Outside of myself and with no one to blamе
I'd rather be wrapped up and carted away
Than ever be stuck there again

I'd rather be lonely than die on the stage
Surrounded by people that don't know my name
I'd rather be lost on a radio wave
Than ever be lucky again
[Chorus]
How do I know if I mean it? (If I mean it?)
How do I know if I can? (If I can?)
I feel better alone with a stranger (A stranger)
Than I ever did with a friend (With a friend)

[Bridge]
Rather be lonely and be on my way
I'd rather be lonely and act my own age
I'd rather be lonely than tied to a phase

[Verse 3]
I'd rather be lonely than tied to a phase
Nowhere to go and with nothing to gain
I'd rather be only the light on the page
Than ever relive that again

[Chorus]
How do I know if I mean it? (If I mean it?)
How do I know if I can? (If I can?)
I feel better alone with a stranger
Than I ever did with a friend (With a friend)

How do I know if I mean it? (I mean it?)
How do I know if I can? (If I can?)
I feel better alone with a stranger
Than I ever did with a friend (With a friend)