By Tom Gilbert - © January 2008

Stranger in a Strange Land
Song written by Leon Russell and Don Preston
Lyric excerpts printed for reference only - all rights reserved by owner

Leon Russell is a colorful character, but also an amazing musician (piano and guitar) and songwriter. He has been around for a long time and still tours and occasionally records. And he has finally been admitted to the prestigious
Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, something long overdue.

The end of 1960's into the early 1970's put Leon in the spotlight as he toured with Joe Cocker (Mad Dogs and Englishmen) and played in The Concert for Bangladesh (benefit concert organized by George Harrison).

The gospel influences of his Oklahoma roots combined with "get down and shout it out" rock n' roll flamboyance was a hit with rock fans. But underneath the showmanship is a serious songwriter. This song, Stranger in a Strange Land (from the seminal Leon Russell and the Shelter People album), has a message — equal parts political, social and spiritual — that is pertinent today.

The song opens with a few plaintive notes on the piano and Leon soulfully moaning,"whoa, oh, whoa". Then the great opening lines, something each of us should ask. How many days has it been since I was born
How many days until I die/Do I know any ways that I can make you laugh, Or do I only know how to make you cry. Do you ever consider how long it's been since you were born or how much time before you have before you die? And how are your relationships? Are you making others laugh and/or cry? We all need some self-inventory from time to time.

The references to a baby, one that shares a bed of hay and also the secrets of the wise man, brings to mind the Jesus as an infant. When the baby looks around him, It's such a sight to see/He shares a simple secret with the wise man. God incarnate. How often did Christ feel like a stranger in a strange land?

In the song Leon identifies with the baby. He's confused about the way people treat others. He bemoans the state of affairs in the world and the lack of true leadership. He wonders why we don't learn to love each other. Yes, the message of the Christ still calls us out and the world knows Him not.

The song encourages us to learn a faith that is real and timeless. The Gospel message comes through in lyric and music. Stop and listen to the children sing. Sing it children! It's always the children who can show us what it is like to be here now, to embrace innocence and to recognize the bells of truth when you hear them ring.

Leon Russell official site and bio