Bert Kaempfert (also Kämpfert) (b. 16 October 1923 - d. 21 June 1980) was a… Read Full Bio ↴Bert Kaempfert (also Kämpfert) (b. 16 October 1923 - d. 21 June 1980) was a German orchestra leader and songwriter. He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records, and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, such as "Strangers in the Night" (originally recorded by Ivo Robić) and "Spanish Eyes".

He was born in Hamburg, Germany, and studied at the School of Music there. A multi-instrumentalist, he was hired by Hans Busch to play with his orchestra before serving as a bandsman in the German Navy during World War II. He later formed his own big band, toured with them, then worked as an arranger and producer, making hit records with Freddy Quinn and Ivo Robic. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on "My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Ain't She Sweet" and "Cry for a Shadow," in a session for Polydor. These turned out to be the Beatles' first commercial recordings. When Beatles manager Brian Epstein asked Kaempfert about further promoting The Beatles, Kaempfert informed Epstein that the company was only interested in The Beatles as Tony Sheridan's backup group. (It also turned out British Decca executive Dick Rowe turned them down in favor of local beat combo Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.) He then released The Beatles from their contract with Polydor.

Strangers In The Night
Bert Kaempfert Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Strangers in the night
Exchanging glances
Wandering the night
What were the chances
We'd be sharing love
Before the night was through

Something in your eyes

Was so inviting
Something in your smile
Was so exciting
Something in my heart
Told me I must have you

Strangers in the night
Two lonely people
We were strangers in the night
Up to the moment
When we said our first hello
Little did we know
Love was just a glance away
A warm embracing dance away

And ever since that night
We've been together
Lovers at first sight
In love forever
It turned out so right

Strangers in the night
Two lonely people
We were strangers in the night
Up to the moment
When we said our first hello

Little did we know
Love was just a glance away
A warm embracing dance away
For strangers in the night

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bert Kaempfert's song, Strangers in the Night, tells the romantic story of two strangers who happen to cross paths in the night and fall in love unexpectedly. The song begins by setting the scene where two people exchange glances while wandering the night. Despite being strangers, they end up sharing love before the night ends, which was an unlikely occurrence given the fate of their chance meeting. Something in the woman's eyes, smile and the man's heart told them that they must have each other.

The composition expresses the significant role played by destiny as the man and woman, both lonely, were brought together on that night, which turned out to be the beginning of an enduring love story. More interestingly, the lyrics portray the realization that love was just a glance away, a warm, embracing dance away for strangers in the night. The chorus repeats the message of two lonely people who found love in each other when they said their first hello, even though they were strangers in the night.

Overall, the lyrics to Strangers in the Night tell a story of hope and unexpected love that arises when two people least expect it. As strangers, they had no idea that they would end up spending their lives together, but the chance meeting and immediate connection changed their lives forever.

Line by Line Meaning

Strangers in the night
Two people who were previously unknown to each other meet each other in the nighttime

Exchanging glances
Both individuals are making eye contact

Wandering the night
Both individuals are aimlessly walking around in the dark

What were the chances
The probability of these two individuals meeting was very low

We'd be sharing love
By the end of the night, these two people will have a romantic relationship

Before the night was through
This romantic relationship will happen before the night is over

Something in your eyes
The expression on your face is drawing me in

Was so inviting
It made me want to approach you

Something in your smile
Your smile made me feel excited

Was so exciting
I was intrigued by your smile

Something in my heart
My intuition

Told me I must have you
I knew that I wanted to be with you

Two lonely people
Both individuals were alone in the world

Up to the moment
It wasn't until this exact moment

When we said our first hello
When we first spoke to each other

Little did we know
We had no idea

Love was just a glance away
Our romantic relationship was very close and almost happened immediately

A warm embracing dance away
We just needed to get closer to each other and embrace to start our romance

And ever since that night
Since that night

We've been together
We have been in a romantic relationship

Lovers at first sight
We fell in love with each other immediately

In love forever
Our love has lasted a very long time

It turned out so right
Our romantic relationship is going perfectly

For strangers in the night
Even though we were previously strangers, we were able to fall in love with each other quickly

Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bert Kaempfert, Charles Singleton, Eddie Snyder

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@LuisaMedinaValenzuela

2y↑9

El romanticismo a otro nivel, solo para corazones con mucha sensibilidad
No solo para parejas enamoradas sino para aquellas personas que distinguen y sienten las bellas melodias❤❤❤❤

@anthonydecruz178

1y↑14

In days gone by when we went to parties and danced to Wilson Pickett, James Brown and the Temptations, the pace would change and if you were lucky enough to have found a girl, we'd dance gently to Bert Kampfert's arrangement of Strangers in the night. Sounds corny now, but romance filled the night. Happy memories.

@pegintx

45w↑1

That isn't corny. It's very sweet.

@anthonydecruz178

43w

@@pegintx Thank you, I, like most people enjoy music that has energy, but when you hear something slower, that touches you in an indefinable way, it's very special.

@TheTIZABEL

2y↑7

O grande e saudoso Maestro e compositor BERT KAEMPFERT, nos brinda com uma das lindas composições que Ele nos deixou. SAUDADES !

@natastone

4y↑11

one of the best trumpets ive ever heard

@14neutrol

16y↑8

Bravo Bert, you were a true genius and your music is timeless you are part of my Western canon of greats, the likes of which appear seldom in one's lifetime Thank You for your wonderful music

@rach6821

3y↑8

Such a beautiful, sultry, sexy tune! Thank you for this!

@wolfgangluithle1326

7y↑62

**Three minutes of musical heaven. Thank you.**

@PaddyO1958

5y↑3

Couldn't agree with you more. Bert was a bit of a genius.

@rach6821

3y↑3

Amen to that! So beautiful!

@マリオの亀

15w

YES!
feel like walking along mountain ridge under moon light

@irfanomer5331

6y↑18

Bert Keampfert a great Composer!

@Tatsuge

1y↑5

The most bittersweet piece of music I’ve heard. Absolutely beautiful. Hope anybody that sees this comment or at least hears this masterpiece prospers in every way(:

@barr474

48w

Yes indeed , one of the best

@nelsonpiazza6687

1y↑4

Aquellos inolvidables años....la sacabamos a bailar,una flia cerca de la otra que intercambiaban sonrisas y comenzaban los grandes momentos con este tema...........Gracias a la vida por dichos momentos......

@cheklettadefa8582

4y↑8

Bless my eargasm always 💛 Feels like I'm heaven now💛

@claudiogonzalez5195

4y↑7

Un Gran director de Orquesta Bert Keamfert para siempre te recordamos gracias por tus bellas melodías que nos dejaste

@happytimeswithdave8670

2y↑7

Love the rendition on the popular song.

@hugowarrenton3207

1y↑1

This is the original bruh, Sinatra covered it

@BlackSpiderPro

1y↑1

isn't it the original, or am I mistaken?

@claudiogonzalez5195

4y↑7

Que hermosas melodía del Gran Bert Keamfert

@claudiogonzalez5195

4y↑9

Es para emocionarse al escuchar estás bellas melodías

@lindahamblenne4341

2y↑1

Merci toute min enfance avec mon papa 😍🧡💛💚💙

@davidjenson1570

5y↑12

My grandma was always playing music like this on the intercom. Brings back memories.

@kao3131

1y↑1

I liked your grandmother's shales

@hebrazil

16y↑7

Estou próximo de completar 60 anos. Esta música faz parte de minha vida. Vou inclui-la na lista das "Mais lindas cações que já ouvi".

@jennychacon5931

4y↑5

Esta melodía me deja vibrando en alto, en otra dimensión,es belleza y amor que viva el verdadero amor for ver❤️❤️

@pripph1355

8y↑33

This record is one of the most beautiful pieces of Music I can hear. Superbly arranged and the highest quality in everything!

@richardwright8189

Yes it may be the beautiful song in human history

@MusikPiratCH

What's "arranged"? Bert Kaempfert is one of the composers of "Strangers in the night"! For me it's the original! :D

@bekluwe

He isn’t one of them. He is THE composer of this song. And others like Spanish eyes or L-O-V-E.

@MusikPiratCH

@@bekluwe As your nick sounds German I give you the link of the German Wikipedia (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangers_in_the_Night). You can see there, why I wrote "one of the composers". Thanks for answering though.

@peterost3471

Pripph 1 yes agree wonderful bliss memories

@kringles4

16y↑16

Bert was truly incredible. I was always a Herb Alpert fan too...Bert and his orchestra were the only ones who could compete with Herb. These songs can bring a tear, so many memories...thank you for posting. Joe in New Hampshire, USA.

@123being9

3y↑1

+1 Thank you

@kringles4

16y↑7

well said, it is tremendous listening to this stuff once again....thank you for posting. Joe in NH, USA.

@williamskovron4121

47w

Beautiful!!!!

@natividadgarciamartinez8451

7y↑13

Viva el amor eterno en una pareja para siempre!! ❤️❤️

@crazywoman13121

15y↑9

Bert and his wife gave the Beatles their start. Amazing!

@bekluwe

And Frank Sinatra. This is the melody of strangers in the night.

@MySpace662

16y↑7

Haunting music that you never forget, love it!

@kystars

I remember being on the original internet. Telnet really, NO VIDEOS.. no real pictures.. just text . some color , and people were creative with atashi art using symbols etc. and NOW WE have THIS.. YOUTUBE with tons of videos and beautiful music just any time we wish to hear from the comfort of our homes. really AMAZING! AND THIS is beautiful music. Bert died in Spain from a stroke at only age 56. So sad.

@deltanovember1672

5y↑1

Just lovely.

@pabloitesa

16y↑5

esta canción te eleva a lo más alto, que belleza

@25071967ful

16y↑6

Inmortal... un clasico ,nada mas que agregar, la musica habla por si sola.

@laurasoledadvillarreal3965

Marcelo Aravena es correcto

@nelsonpiazza6687

45w↑1

encima nos habla de aquella lejana juventud,de lo bien que nos vestiamos y del romanticismo que existía....LAMENTO MUCHO,PERO PASO

@victorhugonavarroaguayo5477

4y↑1

Simplemente Hermoso

@gretel013

10y↑12

hearing this song I think of two persons, Bert Kaempfert for one and Frank Sinatra What a great song. love it!

@370458

10y↑8

Maravillosa cancion.
Saludos desde Chile
Alex

@gerardgenoulaz7305

9y↑1

superbe titre strangers in the night je l écoute toujours avec autant de nostalgie

@thelaverda1

16y↑3

i agree! i remember first hearing this in 71 on an 8 track in dads vauxhall ventora, but today sound engineers could never replicate this band sound,despite the new technoligies.

@petoveio

16y

Mee to, hebrazil.Esta canção ficou mais bonita com os arranjos de Bert. E viva nossa geração.Abs

@Mrsutubefan

16y↑1

wow this is so beautiful i suare i can see myself dancing next to the beach or like walking down a dark street at night and just wandering around

@anjomin

16y↑6

Strangers in the night exchanging glances wondering in the night what were the chances we'd be sharing love before the night was through. Something in your eyes was so inviting, something in you smile was so exciting, something in my heart, told me I must have you. Strangers in the night, two lonely people we were strangers in the night up to the moment when we said our first hello...........

@trailboyus66

16y

KTTR 1490 AM Rolla played all this in the early 60's Hopefully oldies stations will not forget the great contribution Bert made to music. He took the boring out of what we used to call elevator music. He made it so you just could not forget the music. I would go for days with one of his great songs in my mind....

@cfb15jan

You are so,so right.

@nay.m

5y↑1

Idk why but this reminds me of a rainy day and 2 lovers doing salsa in rain and growing in age while their family slowly fading in background and at the end all they're left is just they two and their memories dancing in rain.

@AntônioPaes-x5p

37w

Linda música,não envelhece

@shinkuju

10y↑1

un musicista di gran classe...

@fromthesidelines

17y↑1

This was originally written as a music cue for a feature film Bert scored, Universal's "A Man Could Get Killed" (1966) [starring James Garner], which was issued on {U.S.} Decca as a "soundtrack album". Words were eventually added to it, and Frank Sinatra had a monster hit with the song in the spring of '66.

@DarkRuins

16y↑1

yep...sure is a classic. i love it...i listen to it everyday. hehe. XD

@pipelimo

16y

Gracias, en estos días me entere de eso al tiempo que recibí su mensaje.

@BEPISENO

10y

Magnifica+Stupenda+++Inoubliable.................

@1245176

16y↑1

has a great beat and full sound

@trafosoft

6y↑1

Excelente !!

@albamaria54

16y

So wonderfulllllllllllllllll.

@edwardpink2759

6y↑2

COOL!

@claudiogonzalez5195

Linda hermosa melodía para enamorados

@marielarge9491

5y↑4

My mother played this type of music when she put us down for bed.

@claudiogonzalez5195

Maravilloso muy romántico

@angelicacsccarelli5925

meravigliosa interpretazione

@rlrshepherdstown

17y↑1

Hey Folks , if any of you have some of Bert Keampfert CD's and you want to post them here , then please do , because I really enjoy these old songs of the 60's ,and it sure does bring back memories of the good ole days .

@mrmjb1960

10y

Originally Titled "Beddy Bye",and from "A Man Can Get Killed"..This is the Re-Record of that Recording,from the Lp of the Soundtrack issued before the Same-Titled Hit Lp a few months later,in 1966.

@cmulwee001

16y↑1

Another song that Bert did originally as an instrumental, was Danke Schoen[sp?], in 1961 or '62. A short time later it was given lyrics (either by Bert hinself or someone accociated with him)and covered by Wayne Newton.

@eddiewhaler1

9y↑4

Standards... How can you not like them. Especially when Bert did them.

@sophiagabrielasanchezcarva8993

8y↑7

Original version made initially without lirycs, the Frank Sinatra would sing it with with words. So It was made in Germay.

@claudiogonzalez5195

Nunca ni nunca te olvdaremos

@cocytus6483

It is hard when they permanently away from your life </3

@johnvuc

16y↑1

Blue Midnight , Decca DL-74569 (1964) Blue Midnight/L-O-V-E/Red Roses For A Blue Lady/Java/Almost There/Lonely Nightingale/ Cotton Candy/ Three O'Clock In The Morning/ Free As A Bird/Love Comes But Once/Treat For Trumpet/Goodnight, Sweet Dreams

@figbat1

Composed by bert kaempfert.

Day 5675. 5 x 5 x 227. All my urine til 5.00pm then dried figs and black grapes then more urine then fruit and vegetables and other foods at 8.00pm. No change.

@professorelettere

11y

alcuni anni belli della mia adolescenza hanno avuto questa colonna sonora

@harfuch1

16y

No es cancion, pues no es cantada es una melodia. Te acompano en tus sentimientos

@TheMariposamia

16y

Wahid , JE T'AIME, TU ME MANQUES ENNORMEMENT, mes yeux et mon ame pleurent ton absence, JE T'AIME et je T'AIMERAIS toujours, TON Papillon,,

@pedropisani6262

10y↑1

Pinipa Maravillosa canción. Con ella me declaré a la que hoy es mi mujer y llevo 62 años de casado

@laurasoledadvillarreal3965

Pedro Pisani enhorabuena

@marcplainchamp

42w

N'oublions pas que stranger in the night a été composé par Bert Kaempfert, la version originale est allemande et non américaine.

@gerrygeutjes8925

10y

grahdioos perfect

@hoperator

16y

This song music was originally written by Ivo Robić a croatian. Bert did sinatras version years later.

@DiddyBohlen

Even though this comment is a decade old, wrong. Avo Uvezian wrote the song and had Bert publish it in Germany. Both were friends of Sinatra. The croatian song was originally completely different.

@cerliezio

The original is Croatian written by Ivo Robic

@thestreetman5284

20w

top

@musicoldschool

17y

I think was Ack van Rooyen (Trumpet and Flugelhorn) but Bert had other musicians too.

@torza2

17y

yes

@carlomezo5238

5y↑1

Dit lied houdt het midden tussen een jazz standard en schlager, deze versie van bert kaempfert is melodisch niet moeilijk op de piano na te spelen.

@thelaverda1

15y↑1

where has berts bye bye blues gone! someone please put it back on you tube please!

@blueskies9246

https://youtu.be/kRauKmkToqo

@santiagovazquez5209

Momento de Eric y Francis malcolm el de enmedio

@vegetarock182

16y

que arreglo mas preciosista, mejor no creo que halla...

@ponchoramirez2243

Es la origina

@theoneand0nly874

The fighting horse

@allangamayev3614

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@timothysines3258

10y

Hay!! do;s anyone know where this nice lady lives, I'm a stranger too.

@harporocks

16y

Anyone know who the bass player was and what album was blue midnight on? thanx,i am basically new to this guy

@steveember8972

The electric bass player was the wonderful Ladi Geisler, whose "knackbass" sound was a hallmark of Kaempfert recordings. Trumpet solos were mainly by Manfred Moch, later replaced by Ack van Rooyen.