Born in East Orange, New Jersey, MacRae made his Broadway debut in the mid-1940s, acquiring his first recording contract soon afterwards. Many of his hit recordings were made with Jo Stafford. It was in 1948 that he appeared in his first film, The Big Punch, a non-musical boxing drama. He soon began an on-screen partnership with Doris Day and appeared with her in several films. In 1953, he starred opposite Kathryn Grayson in the third film version of The Desert Song. This was followed by starring appearances in two major films of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, Oklahoma! (1955) and Carousel (1956), both opposite Shirley Jones.
Stranger in Paradise
Gordon MacRae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a stranger in paradise
All lost in a wonderland
A stranger in paradise
If I stand starry-eyed
That's the danger in paradise
For mortals who stand beside an angel like you
Out of the commonplace into the rare
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 this stranger in paradise
And tell him that he need be
A stranger no more
The song, Stranger in Paradise, is a romantic ballad sung by Gordon MacRae. The singer is deeply in love with someone who he refers to as an angel. He is overwhelmed by his emotions and feels like he is lost in a wonderland. He is afraid to stand starry-eyed because he knows being beside someone so divine could be dangerous for mortal beings like him. When he saw her, he immediately ascended from the commonplace into the rare. He feels like he is suspended in space, waiting for her to recognize his emotion.
The singer's greatest prayer is to be recognized by his love interest, who seems to be the stranger in paradise. He pleads with her not to send him into dark despair and hopes that she will open her arms to him. He wishes that he would no longer be a stranger in paradise. The song's lyrics capture the powerful feelings that often accompany deep love.
Line by Line Meaning
Take my hand
Let me guide you
I'm a stranger in paradise
I am overwhelmed by the beauty of this place
All lost in a wonderland
Completely enraptured by my surroundings
A stranger in paradise
An outsider who is humbled by everything around me
If I stand starry-eyed
If I gaze at everything with wonder
That's the danger in paradise
That is the risk of being so taken by something
For mortals who stand beside an angel like you
For people like me, who are flawed and ordinary, to be near someone as divine as you
I saw your face and I ascended
Once I saw you, I felt like I was in a higher place
Out of the commonplace into the rare
Away from the boring and ordinary into something unique
Somewhere in space I hang suspended
I feel like I am in a dreamlike state
Until I know there's a chance that you care
Until I know that I hold a special place in your heart
Won't you answer this fervent prayer
Please hear my passionate request
Of a stranger in paradise?
From someone who is an outsider in this wondrous place
Don't send me in dark despair
Do not let me go into sadness or hopelessness
From all that I hunger for
From all the things that I yearn for
But open your angel's arms
Embrace me with your loving arms
To this stranger in paradise
To me, an outsider in this amazing place
And tell him that he need be
And reassure me that I don't have to
A stranger no more
Be a lonely outsider anymore
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Forrest, Robert Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris N
This is so good because Gordon MacRae understood this song's dynamics, he didn't simply belt every line, like so many Irish tenors do. Thanks for this post.
Bob Goodwin
This gentleman was a true exception. He died young (60's)
Tom Smith
Another beautiful version of "Stranger in Paradise"! Thank you!
RGL01
What a voice!!!
Ana Maria Peixoto
This song is so beautiful! What elegance when singing...other times!
tj921able
Thank you for posting this. He did a beautiful job on it so much, I felt as though I would cry.
Sandra Maria
Beautiful music from a wonderful time! Thanks.
Phil Alumb
His voice was absolutely Beautiful.
That 70's Girl
Beautiful voice! Nice looking too! 👌
Thank you for sharing! 💖
Kathy Kelley
Thank you so much for posting. A wonderful, talented singer.