Brightman has received over 180 Gold and Platinum sales awards in over 40 different countries around the world and is the only artist to hold #1 spots on the Billboard Classical and Dance charts simultaneously, her other achievements feature her ranking by the Recording Industry Association of America as the best-selling female classical artist of the twenty-first century and a Guinness World Record for the success of “Time to Say Goodbye,” the best-selling single in German recording history.
She has established herself as the world's biggest selling soprano of all time, She has sold 78 million albums worldwide, including 40 million copies of the soundtrack of The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical), 26 million albums, over two million DVDs and 10 million copies of the single " Time to Say Goodbye "as a soloist.
She made her debut as a dancer in troupes such as Hot Gossip and later released a string of disco singles. She was a musical theatre performer and partner of theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom she originated roles including Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera.
After her divorce, Brightman became a crossover artist with former Enigma producer Frank Peterson. Her style, a blend of classical vocals and pop-inspired instrumentation and arrangement, earned her further success.
She is often cited as the woman who paved the way for other international success stories such as Il Divo, Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban. She is said to be worth as much as £30m (about US$49m).
Stranger In Paradise
Sarah Brightman Lyrics
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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 common place and into the rare
Now somewhere out in space I hang suspended
Until I'm certain that 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
Aah-aah-aah
Take my hand
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
I saw your face as I ascended
Out of the common place and into the rare
Now somewhere out in space I hang suspended
Until I'm certain that 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
A stranger no more
"Stranger in Paradise" is a song about the overwhelming feeling of love and the fear of rejection. It tells the story of how the singer finds themselves in a world different from their ordinary life, in a state of wonder, feeling lost but excited to have come across someone special. They plead for the person they've met to embrace and accept them into their life, to not send them into dark despair from all that they hunger for, but instead to open their arms and make them feel like they no longer have to be a stranger in paradise. The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing and desperation, while at the same time, displaying hope for new possibilities.
The lyrics of "Stranger in Paradise" are well-crafted, with a blend of romance and anxiety that makes it a captivating song. The line, "For mortals who stand beside an angel like you," solidifies the idea that the singer sees the person they've met as something angelic, and out of their league. Equally, "I saw your face as I ascended, Out of the common place and into the rare," shows how the singer views the person as someone special. Overall, the song is a touching ode about the desire for love and the willingness to take risks in pursuit of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Take my hand
The singer is asking the listener to accompany them.
I'm a stranger in paradise
The singer feels out of place in this beautiful setting.
All lost in a wonderland
The singer is overwhelmed by the beauty of their surroundings.
A stranger in paradise
The artist feels like they don't belong in this magical place.
If I stand starry-eyed
If the artist is too amazed and lost in thought,
That's the danger in paradise
It can be dangerous to be so lost in thought in such a beautiful place.
For mortals who stand beside an angel like you
Being around someone as beautiful and ethereal as you can be overwhelming for someone as ordinary as me.
I saw your face as I ascended
The artist first saw the listener's face as they entered this beautiful place.
Out of the common place and into the rare
Entering this paradise is a rare and special event for the artist.
Now somewhere out in space I hang suspended
The artist is so awestruck that they feel as though they are floating in space.
Until I'm certain that there's a chance that you care
The singer needs to know if the listener feels the same way they do before they can fully enjoy this paradise.
Won't you answer this fervent prayer
The artist is praying that the listener will reciprocate their feelings.
Of a stranger in paradise
The singer is still a stranger in this beautiful place without the love of the listener.
Don't send me in dark despair
The singer is afraid of losing the listener's love and being plunged into a deep despair.
From all that I hunger for
The singer craves the love and affection of the listener above all else.
But open your angel's arms
The artist wants the listener to embrace them with open arms.
To this stranger in paradise
The artist hopes that the listener will accept and love them despite their feelings of being out of place.
And tell him that he need be
The singer wants the listener to reassure them that they belong in this paradise.
A stranger no more
The singer wants to find love and acceptance in this paradise and no longer feel like a stranger.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Forrest, Robert Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind