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"Stranger" is a song written by Jeff Lynne and performed by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).
| "Stranger" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Electric Light Orchestra | ||||
| from the album Secret Messages | ||||
| B-side | "Train of Gold" | |||
| Released | November 1983 (US) | |||
| Recorded | 1983 Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, the Netherlands | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 4:27 (album) 4:18 (USA single edit) 4:30 (double album version) | |||
| Label | Jet | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jeff Lynne | |||
| Producer(s) | Jeff Lynne | |||
| Electric Light Orchestra singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Secret Messages track listing | ||||
10 tracks
| ||||
This song first appeared on the band's 10th studio album, Secret Messages. Stranger also was the third single from the LP.
The small quiet opening is one of the many messages that takes place in this album. A high pitched backmasked voice is heard during the opening, played in reverse the voice is actually saying "You're playing me backwards."[1]
Cash Box called the song "a lovely McCartneyesque vocal and ballad about...a small town boy anxiously facing the rest of the world, finding his first girl, and resolving never to return."[2]
"Recorded this in Holland, where I was looking through the eyes of a stranger." Jeff Lynne (2001 – Secret Messages Remaster)
Chart positions
edit| Chart (1983) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Polish Singles Chart[3] | 15 |
| US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles | 105 |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary[4] | 33 |
References
edit- ^ "Jeff Lynne Song Database - Exposing the Secrets!".
- ^ "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. November 5, 1983. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ Hawtin, Steve. "Song artist 171 – Electric Light Orchestra". Tsort.info. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ^ "Electric Light Orchestra – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
