"Heel of a Stranger" by UFO is a song about love, regret, and the challenges of relationships. The lyrics depict a narrative of a person who fell in love at a young age and believed their partner was incredibly special. However, as time goes on, the relationship deteriorates, and they begin to realize the mistakes they've made. At the age of 17, the protagonist thought their partner was one in a million, but they never expected that someone else would come along and take them away. The regret intensifies when, at 21, they get married, only to discover later on that it was a decision they would come to regret. The line "You put a scar on my heart, I can't cover up and hide" expresses the emotional pain and damage caused by the failed relationship. The protagonist feels trapped and defeated, as if they have no strength left to fight for themselves. The chorus conveys the protagonist's realization that their partner is now under the control of another person ("Under the heel of a stranger"). They see the signs of their partner's infidelity or emotional attachment to someone else, but they failed to recognize the danger until it was too late. The person who was once their hero, the one they loved, has now become the hero in the arms of someone else. As the song progresses, the protagonist acknowledges the repeated pattern of their partner going out late at night and returning after meeting this stranger. By the age of 29, they accept that their dreams have to come to an end and their love has been lost. However, the ghost of their past love remains, haunting them. The lyrics emphasize the pain of betrayal and the inability to hide or heal from the emotional scar. The protagonist feels defeated, as if they have no fight left in them. They are forced to witness their partner being held captive by the charms of another, while they themselves failed to see the danger and now must face the consequences. Overall, "Heel of a Stranger" reflects the sadness, regret, and emotional turmoil experienced by the protagonist as they come to terms with the loss of love and the damaging effects of a broken relationship.
