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 R&B ballad is about a woman who is confused with her partner's recent change in behavior and goes into denial about it.

Upon its release, it received a positive reception from music critics who complimented 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.

An accompanying music video, directed by Paul Hunter, features Tamia performing in an indoor pool.

[4] 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.

[4] However, it was not until after a meeting with Elektra head Sylvia Rhone that "Stranger in My House" was bought for Tamia to record.