Stranger in Paradise
Dennis Hayward and His Orchestra Lyrics
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All lost in a wonderland
A stranger in paradise
If I stand starry-eyed
That's a danger in paradise
For mortals who stand beside an angel like
I saw your face and I ascended
Somewhere in space I hang suspended
Until I know there's a chance that you care
Won't you answer this fervent prayer
Of a stranger in paradise?
Don't send me in dark despair
From all that I hunger for
But open your angel's arms
To the stranger in paradise
And tell him that we need be
Our stranger no more
The song Stranger in Paradise by Dennis Hayward and His Orchestra is a romantic ballad that describes the feeling of falling in love with someone who seems otherworldly. The singer addresses the person they are enamored with, acknowledging that they are a stranger in paradise, lost in a wonderland. The person is described as an angel, and the singer recognizes that standing starry-eyed beside them is dangerous for mortals. However, the singer cannot help but be drawn to this person, and they describe ascending out of the commonplace into the rare upon seeing their face. The singer is suspended in space, waiting for a sign that the person they love cares for them.
The ballad is a plea to the person the singer loves, asking them to answer their fervent prayer and not send them into dark despair. The singer hungering for the person asks them to open their angel's arms to the stranger in paradise and end their state of being a stranger. The lyrics evoke a sense of wonder, passion, and longing, encapsulating the feeling of falling in love with someone out of reach. The song remains a classic example of a romantic ballad that captures the feeling of being in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Take my hand I'm a stranger in paradise
Please help me, I feel lost and out of place here.
All lost in a wonderland
I'm bewildered and confused.
A stranger in paradise
Though this place looks wonderful, I still feel like I don't belong here.
If I stand starry-eyed
If I look too amazed by all of this,
That's a danger in paradise
it could put me in danger of not seeing things clearly or making poor decisions.
For mortals who stand beside an angel like
Especially if you're as amazing as you seem to be, like an angel.
I saw your face and I ascended
Your presence is so incredible, it makes me feel like I'm rising up.
Out of the commonplace into the rare
You stand out so much that you make everything else seem dull in comparison.
Somewhere in space I hang suspended
You have me captivated and I feel like I'm floating in space, waiting for a sign that you feel the same.
Until I know there's a chance that you care
I won't be able to move forward until I'm sure that you have some feelings for me too.
Won't you answer this fervent prayer
Please, I'm begging you to help me.
Of a stranger in paradise?
I feel lost and confused, but I really want to be here with you.
Don't send me in dark despair
Please don't let me leave here feeling hopeless and despondent.
From all that I hunger for
I want to be satisfied and fulfilled, but I need your help to do that.
But open your angel's arms
Please embrace me and welcome me into your wonderful world.
To the stranger in paradise
Let me be a part of your world and don't make me feel like an outsider anymore.
And tell him that we need be
Let's be together and not feel like strangers anymore.
Our stranger no more
We can overcome our differences and become close and intimate.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Forrest, Robert Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind