Leon Russell – Stranger in a Strange Land

I heard this song on the show House MD not long ago and it stuck with me. I knew it was Leon Russell but I didn’t know a thing about it. Very good song all the way around. Movies and TV Shows are a good way to pick up new and old songs that you don’t know.

It’s hard to resist Leon Russell’s music. His song Tight Rope was one of the first songs I remember in my life.  His real name was Claude Russell Bridges. He was born in Oklahoma and in high school he worked with future Bread singer-songwriter David Gates.

Leon did a lot before the public ever heard of him. He was part of the Wrecking Crew who played on Beach Boy records and hits like This Diamond Ring for Gary Lewis. Most major players in the seventies wanted Leon Russell on their albums. After George Harrison invited him to play with him a short while later Mick Jagger worked with him. He was a popular man among the British elite rock stars.

The song was on the album Leon Russell and the Shelter People released in 1971. The album peaked at #17 on the Billboard Album Charts, #29 in The UK, and #14 in Canada. The song was not released as a single.

Elton John helped bring Leon Russell back into prominence in 2010 through a successful album. He worked up until his death on November 13, 2016. He had already planned a tour starting in January 2017.

Stranger in a Strange Land

How many days has it been
Since I was born
How many days until I die
Do I know any ways
That I can make you laugh
Or do I only know how to make you cry

When the baby looks around him
It’s such a sight to see
He shares a simple secret
With the wise man

He’s a stranger in a strange land
Just a stranger in a strange land
Tell me why
He’s a stranger in a strange land
Just a stranger in a strange land

How many miles will it take
To see the sun
And how many years until it’s done
Kiss my confusion away in the night
Lay by side when the morning comes

And the baby looks around him
And shares his bed of hay
With the burro in the palace of the king

He’s a stranger in a strange land
Tell me why
He’s a stranger in a strange land
Just a stranger in a strange land

Well, I don’t exactly know
What’s going on in the world today
Don’t know what there is to say
About the way the people are treating
Each other, not like brothers

Leaders take us far away from ecology
With mythology and astrology
Has got some words to say
About the way we live today
Why can’t we learn to love each other
It’s time to turn a new face
To the whole world wide human race

Stop the money chase
Lay back, relax
Get back on the human track
Stop racing toward oblivion
Oh, such a sad, sad state we’re in
And that’s a thing

Do you recognize the bells of truth
When you hear them ring
Won’t you stop and listen
To the children sing
Won’t you come on and sing it children

He’s a stranger in a strange land
Just a stranger in a strange land

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

61 thoughts on “Leon Russell – Stranger in a Strange Land”

    1. I think it’s fair to say he was a musician’s musician like Dr. John… but yes they did have brief moments around the same time. This one I never heard before Randy…until I was watching House…I was thinking…what is that great song?

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      1. I got into him a bit when he started working with Elton John I had never heard of him before that. He sort of fits in with Elvin Bishop and J.J. Cale I think. Guys I know a little about but never got deep into their music. This songs title takes my mind right to the book by Robert Heinlein. I wonder if he was inspired by it?

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      2. I never read the book but the book did pop up when I was searching for the song and since it was published 10 years before…I would imagine so.
        A title is the hardest hurdle for writing a song and I bet he read the book.

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      4. Yes it is… Exod. 2. [22] And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

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      5. I really don’t know my bible. I just remember reading about it because it’s such a great title for a book and a song. A lot of literature and songs scooped from that book!

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      6. Yes like Turn Turn Turn…. I’ve read alot of it but when you are reading the King James Version it’s hard for it to stick…at least for me…thou, wilt, etc… probably more songs than we know got something from it.

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      8. Yes it does…I was just listening to that last night. That would be a great post…that one will keep you busy! Dylan always had The Bible weaving through a lot of his song…even before his Christian period.

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      14. I remember coming across that book while researching and found some cool reviews…and no like I told Halfcycle…that was NOT from memory lol.

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    1. Yes him and Denny Cordell. Both of them would go by Apple Records to learn before they made it. I just read a book about an American who worked there…Chris O’Dell and she helped both of them set it up…and dated Russell.

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      2. Yes…she did and they lived together. He met her coming to Apple to talk to George….and George wanted to see him just as much. He played with Ringo,George, and maybe Paul I believe. John was hurt becasue he didn’t ask him…but Leon was so shocked they liked him that much that he didnt’ have the nerve. Chris O’Dell arranged a lot of it.
        Well that was a long answer!

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      3. I’m going to get to that book one of these days also. I’m making a good dent in the 3 I’m reading right now, so maybe sooner rather than later. Just like Geo, he had a magnetic quality to him that attracted others to him.

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      4. You will find out more about George from that book than any book I’ve read…not about his achievements but his personaility. I liked George coming out of the book as a person.

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  3. A great musician . I’m right there with you on having ‘Tight Rope’ being one of the first songs on radio I really loved and remember so clearly. I don’t know this one, or at least can’t remember hearing it, but it’s good. Good lyrics and a nice, definite Gospel-tinged sound with those backing singers.

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    1. I never heard it until I watched that episode…btw that show has great music at the endings like this….mostly by classic artists. I liked it right away and had to know what it was. Again…this is how we learn about new/old music now.

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    1. Phil I have been reccomended that and I believe some one gave me the doc…I need to sit down and see it. I’m a huge Kaye fan,

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      1. TV shows and movies do highlight some acts to younger folk, or to some, ahem, more mature watchers who may have missed them first time around. I watched a rerun of ‘How I Met Your Mother’ the other week and there were a a few bars of a Wilco track on it. A nice wee surprise.

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      2. These days that is a big way of getting your music out….old or young.
        Yes I will admit…I’m listening because once in a while they will play something like this, and not some tired old song…that you like.
        Commercials at one time were uncool…now it’s a big boost…same with Las Vegas.

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  6. In a cool bit of synchronicity I heard this today on my spotify favorites playlist. I also listened to his “Best of… ” disk last week. I love the man and his music. Loved the song he did with Geo on Bangladesh concert. One of my favorites of his is “A Song for You.”

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    1. I’ll check that one out…thanks Lisa. I thought of you when I made the post. After reading the Chris O’Dell book…that really got me into him also. This is one of the few new posts. That is what is cool about being way ahead….I get inspired to write one.
      House does have some excellent music tacked on at the end of the shows.
      Off Topic…Bailey and I are watching the BBC Sherlock of a few years back….it’s a lot like House.

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      1. Another piece of synchronicity. I’m watching S5 of Elementary, which has Jonny Miller as Holmes and Lucy Liu as Watson, set in NYC. In this one Holmes goes into recovery with his addiction. Watson is introduced to him as a recovery coach but ends up being his investigating partner. It’s really good. I imagine the old BBC Sherlock is good also. BBC has a lot of really good shows and I can get them through the …………… you guessed it, begins with an “L” 🙂 I will be watching House from beginning to end one of these days.

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      2. The number one rated Sherlock was in 1984…we are watching the 2010 version with Benedict Cumberbatch…I hope they make a season 5.
        I’ll have to check that one out…thank you! I’m heavily into all Sherlock becasue of House…they based that on Sherlock….House = Sherlock and Wilson = Holmes….and it is close…the writers admitted it.

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  7. p.s. there is a doc on him touring out there that’s really good. Gives great insight into his lifestyle on the road. He seemed almost like a preacher-guru with his music in the live performances.

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      2. I’ll watch it this weekend! I’m getting it now.
        Jennifer will be back on Sunday…so I’ll get it in probably Friday or Saturday night.

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      8. And that is just him messing around…yea he was something. I’ve known quite a few people who knew him…no bad things…just a lot of exploits. Keith and him did a duet…here is Keith

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      11. Ok…now I’m REALLY interested because it was during that time period. I have nothing against modern ones but it’s cool to see the artist when they are peaking.
        Found it!

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