"(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers" is a song written by Liz Anderson.
Anderson was reluctant to do so, having already had songs recorded by national artists and not particularly interested in a regional performer and having never heard Haggard, not certain he had talent but agreed to meet with him out of her loyalty to Owens.
He was particularly taken with "(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers" and rushed into the studio to record it and planned it for a single release.
Although both Drusky and Haggard versions eventually made it into the Billboard Hot Country Singles top ten, the competing records undoubtedly kept either version for being a top five and perhaps number one record.
The song's narrator is embittered by a deceitful lover, not only vowing to be through with love but trusting in anyone at all.