mensoelrey June 20th, 2009 09:19PM  
I have always thought Goodbye Stranger was about drugs. The giveaway is Mary and Jane, but there is evidence in other places.

He talks about having things his own way, being stubborn. People who do drugs often say things like "I can quit whenever I want". I have said so myself. They are stubborn when people want them to quit. And drugs make you feel good, sometimes young and energetic. The stubbornness and the youthfulness are found in the line "I have to have things my own way, just to keep me in my youth."

Moreover, why else would it be so hard for him to say goodbye? It is not as if he is saying goodbye to his girlfriend, as he is clearly not talking to someone he is in love with. But drugs are hard to quit. Goodbye, drugs. Will I be able to stay off them? Will we ever meet again?