Francis Charles Chacksfield was born in Battle, East Sussex, and as a child… Read Full Bio ↴Francis Charles Chacksfield was born in Battle, East Sussex, and as a child learned to play piano and organ. He appeared at Hastings Music Festivals by the time he was 14, and then became deputy church organist at Salehurst. After working for a short period in a solicitor's office he decided on a career in music, and by the late 1930s led a small band at Tonbridge in Kent. At the beginning of World War II he joined the Royal Corps of Signals, and, following a radio broadcast as a pianist, was posted to ENSA at Salisbury where he became the arranger for Stars In Battledress, an armed forces entertainment troupe, and shared an office with comedian Charlie Chester.[1][2]

After the war, he worked with Chester and on BBC Radio as an arranger and conductor. He also worked as musical director for both Henry Hall and Geraldo, and began recording under his own name in 1951 as "Frank Chacksfield's Tunesmiths". In early 1953 he had his first top ten hit, "Little Red Monkey", on the Parlophone label. This was a novelty recording featuring Jack Jordan on the clavioline, and reportedly the first record featuring an electronic instrument to feature on the UK pop chart.[citation needed] He signed a recording contract with Decca Records in 1953, and formed a 40-piece orchestra with a large string section, the "Singing Strings". His first record release for Decca, Charlie Chaplin's theme for his film Limelight, won him a gold disc in the US, and in the UK, where it reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart, and won him the NME award as 'Record of the Year'. It spent eight weeks at #2 (an all-time UK chart record), and in all thirteen weeks in the top five chart positions, without dislodging Frankie Laine's, "I Believe".[3] His next 78 single, "Ebb Tide", became the first British instrumental recording to reach #1 in some American charts,[which?] providing a second gold disc, and he was voted the most promising new orchestra of the year in the US.[1]

He became one of Britain's most well known orchestra leaders internationally, and is estimated to have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide.[2] His material was "mood music", similar to that of Mantovani, including ballads, waltzes, and film themes.[4] In 1954 he began presenting a series on BBC TV, which continued occasionally until the early 1960s. Chacksfield was responsible for the musical arrangement of the first UK entry into the Eurovision Song Contest 1957; "All" by Patricia Bredin.[citation needed] He continued to write music, release singles and albums through the 1950s and 1960s, and appeared regularly on BBC radio.[2]

He continued to record occasionally until the 1990s, from the 1970s primarily on the Phase 4 label.[1] He also developed business interests in publishing and recorded for Starborne Productions, a company supplying "canned music" for use by easy listening radio stations and others. Many of these recordings were made commercially available in 2007. His last album was Thanks for the Memories (Academy Award Winners 1934-55), released in 1991.[1] Chacksfield died in Kent in 1995, after having suffered for several years from Parkinson's Disease.[2]

The main theme from his Latin-American style track "Cuban Boy" was used as the theme music for some broadcast versions of the BBC Scotland sitcom Still Game.[5]

His song, "Après Ski", was featured in the 2006 video game, Saint's Row, for the Xbox 360.[6]

Stranger On the Shore
Frank Chacksfield and His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here I stand, watching the tide go out
So all alone and blue
Just dreaming dreams of you

I watched your ship as it sailed out to sea
Taking all my dreams
And taking all of me

The sighing of the waves
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"

Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?

The sighing of the waves
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"

Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Frank Chacksfield and His Orchestra's song "Stranger on the Shore" describe a feeling of profound loneliness and heartbreak. The singer is standing alone on the shore, watching the tide go out and dreaming of a lost love. They describe watching their love sail away on a ship, taking away all of their dreams and leaving them feeling completely alone. The sound of the waves and wind make their sadness even more unbearable, and they plead for their love to return. The lyrics end with a poignant question: "Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?"

Overall, the lyrics to "Stranger on the Shore" capture the universal experience of heartbreak and the pain of watching someone we love leave us behind. The powerful imagery of the shore and the sea emphasizes the vastness of the singer's feelings and the depth of their sorrow.

Line by Line Meaning

Here I stand, watching the tide go out
I am standing here, staring at the water as it recedes

So all alone and blue
I am feeling sad and isolated

Just dreaming dreams of you
I am lost in thoughts of you, imagining a future together

I watched your ship as it sailed out to sea
I saw the vessel that carried you away from me

Taking all my dreams
It also took away all of my hopes and aspirations

And taking all of me
It left me feeling empty and without purpose

The sighing of the waves
The sound of the water is melancholic and mournful

The wailing of the wind
The howling wind is adding to the sadness of the moment

The tears in my eyes burn
I am so sad that my eyes are watering and it hurts a little

Pleading, "My love, return"
I am begging for your return, hoping that you will change your mind

Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
I am questioning why I have to suffer through this pain

Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?
I am considering if I will be doomed to spend the rest of my life alone

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: ACKER BILK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

LoveTheOConnor

10y↑2

I love this song, Jim, and this version is wonderful! Love all the gorgeous pictures of your beach beauties, too--especially lovely Ann Sheridan. Just watched her in a couple of movies, last night and today. Thanks so much for sharing, this was a day brightener! Have a marvelous week :))

Jymster46

10y

I thought this was a nice version too, Heather. The original by Acker Bilk is a classic, I think. Yes, Ms. Sheridan fines her way into many of my videos it seems...she's special, for sure. Thanks so much for watching and I am hoping that your week is marvelous too.
Jim

Inmaculada Ruiz

Beautiful Melody and Orchestra.

Marie Villon

10y↑1

Slendid pics and atmosphere! I'm transported by the beauty of the video thank you Jim!

Jymster46

10y

Hi, Marie! I'm so happy you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for your very nice comment! I love your new channel picture! Take care, my friend.
Jim

Marie Villon

10y

Jymster46 Thank you my friend! :-)

dsanw

10y↑1

Great version of this wonderful song, and your images make me longing to spend vacations at the sea. Brillant video dear Jim, thank you so much. Have a wonderful blessed week ahead my friend for you and you family. Best wishes, Uli

Jymster46

10y

Hi, Uli! I'm so happy you liked the song and video, it was fun putting it together. You are very welcome! Thank you so much for watching it. Wishing you a wonderful week as well. Take care, my friend.
Jim