I'm on a bit of a roll, I wrote this sometime between 1980 - 85.
My father in law was Vice Provost of Brunel University A professor of Marine engineering who had a CBE for his services to Engineering and was a member of Portsmouth Naval Club, UK.
This is about the handful of evenings I spent in that club,I changed the venue as I couldn't find a rhyme for Portsmouth.

I did not fit in one little bit and his friends called me Orlwyn AAARGHH! people like Archbishops of Portsmouth; a past Captain of the Royal Yacht Britannia; high ranking Military personnel; top academics and little ole me with absolutely no idea of what they were talking about as sailing was the main topic and the biggest boat I have ever been on that didn't have an engine, was a kids pedal boat in the local park.

They did however have an outstanding restaurant and excellent pint of Bishops Finger a real British Beer!.
A painting The Battle of Trafalgar hung in the bar, probably 10 by 15foot with one carefully placed spot...stunning such detail.They also had a display of historical stuff from centuries of war.
And guests were not allowed to buy drinks YAY.
That was their local dive, How the top 10% live, eh.


Stranger in a stranger's land

every night I like to go out dancing
to the rhythms of a 1930's band
at the weekends I like to go romancing
and hold my loving so adorable baby's hand

and reminisce through the night
oh those happy times we had
but every day we drive around regardless
as a stranger in a strangers land

in the summer I spend my time yachting
at the sail club in the Isle of Wight
summer evenings in the bar forgetting
decrying what is wrong and how to put it right

happy days looking back
ooh with such happier times ahead
just carrying on enjoying life regardless
as a stranger in a strangers land

my Lagonda, my Aston and my Bentley
my town house just half way down the Strand
my boater and my flannels cut so baggy
they've all gone but the memories are close at hand

happy days looking back
ooh with such happier times ahead
just carrying on enjoying life regardless
as a stranger in a strangers land
I'm a rich man in a poor man's land
a stranger in a strangers land


RealTracks in style: ~1178:Bass, Electric, PopWaltz Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 1108:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking BluegrassWaltz Ev 140
RealTracks in style: ~1188:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopWaltz Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~1182:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming PopWaltz Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~1179:Fiddle, Background PopWaltz Ev 120
RealDrums in style: PopRockWaltzEv,SideStickHat,Ride: a: Sidestick. HiHat b: PopRockWaltzEv,SideStickHat,Ride
*******************

My vocals caught a bus thanks to ROG's technique in his latest post. No matter what

enjoy

Alyn

Hi Alyn (hope I pronounced that right)

A fascinating tale and a great song.

Quite a thought provoking song and possibly a bit sad when you think about it.

Terrific backing, but please lift the vocal up a bit in the mix! Lyrics like that need to be heard.

Another Alyn classic.

ROG.

PS - nearly missed the buss there.

Another excellent tune. Loved the lyrics as well..

Thanks for the backstory. Janice and I are
history nuts and collectors of many things
historical.

Your imagery is always outstanding and this
tune is certainly no exception.

A great production with a wonderful lyric.

Thanks for the chance to listen!

J&B

Alyn, I keep thinking Beatles as I listen to this. The chord changes are different, but well thought out. Nicely arranged and produced. Wonderful lyrics and a cool story. You are on a roll. Well done! Tom

Really beautifully done!! Very captivating lyric and wonderful delivery. Arrangement is perfect for the song. You are truly creative Alyn! Loved it! Take care. Greg

yup my name sounded OK
It was a small dig at the top 10% because most forgot their humble beginnings and soon got used to the finery and trappings that went with their wealth and/or position.
I shall go back and raise the vocals, it will be easy now I followed your advice!

Glad you enjoyed. thanks for describing it as an "Alyn Classic"

Alyn
ps my DAW spells buss as bus and I can't believe I never thought of a lead vocal bus as I have buses, and sub buses everywhere else in my mixing.
I feel like Blakey when I mix now

Cheers Scott,thanks for listening and commenting

All the best

Alyn

You 2 would have LOVED that club.
I was given a letter holder made from the teak of HMS Ajax from the Battle of the River Plate somehow, don't remember the convoluted chain of events that led to that wedding gift but it started with me showing great interest, and awe, at similar relics but I certainly appreciated that more than the usual ****ng toasters etc Thanks Prof.

SO glad you enjoyed the tune,

Alyn

Enjoyed that one Alyn.
You certainly have a unique style (that I like) and I think the backing is great.
Love the bass and the spoken bit. Cheers.

Alyn,

One of your very best in all regards.

A spectacular write - lyrically and melodically (and the various sections).
A terrific "story" told so well...

The arrangement and production are excellent.

Excellent.

floyd

Hi Alyn,

a great story. Thanks for the background.
All presented in your unique way.
Enjoyable listen.

Guenter

Hi, Alyn !:))

WOW !!

I think this is one of
your best tunes ! Just great !!:))

Cheers
Dani

Hi Alyn,

wow! this one is very cool.
It has a very timid and intimate atmosphere, mainly due to your vocals which are your best so far I think.
Like ROG suggested, they could be slightly louder in the mix.

Very original, and very good use of Biab, as always.

Rob

Thanks for compliments about the chord changes I really appreciate that.
I always liked the Beatles, it was only much later that I started appreciating their song-writing. I have quite a few songs I have written that me and BIAB need to record

thank you so much for listening

Tom

My life was good then and it was in this period that I also started developing my first home studio. I wish I still had the cassette versions

Thanks for listening

All the best

Alyn

Alyn,

Incredible! I've read through the posts and I have to say that you deserve every accolade that's been given. This is a fantastic write and equally fantastic production. I sat here spell-bound. No one on this forum creates anything remotely like you do.

I'm going back for another listen, now.

All the best,
Noel

• previous song: Walk With Me

Hey Rich,
This forum is great because I am now listening to many styles of music that without BIAB my ears would have ignored.
Listening to your songs gives me ideas to use in my stuff so thank you mate also.

glad you enjoyed,

Alyn

floyd,
listening to the other songs on this forum has taught me a lot about arrangement and production. For example one poster with a name beginning with "f" ( forget his name )always makes me sit up and go hmm and I try to learn from his works
Thank you,

all the best,

Alyn

Thanks Guenter,
I cut a lot out of the backstory because once I started remembering I opened the flood gates

So glad you enjoyed the listen, as Frank Sinatra once sang "I do it my Way"

All the best

Alyn

Thanks a lot Dani, your songs get better and better also especially as you are now in love. Thanks for listening

I hope you and Li are well

Alyn

Thank you, I tried to portray the "silence" in the club; no one spoke loud, there was background classical music sometimes but that was almost subliminal as it did not affect the conversations.
One felt one had to speak in impeccable Queen's English and as one had an East London/cockney accent, at the time one sounded like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins, guv, me ole sparrer.

I shall increase the vocals a bit

thanks for listening

Alyn

Thanks a lot Noel, I don't strive to be different it just happens that way

Glad you enjoyed the listens

all the best

Alyn

+1 What else can I say....Tom beat me to it.

Thank you for listening and commenting, Josie

All the best

Alyn

This is really a nice one. Every so often the vocals slipped back into the music which was kind of surreal and as if you were slipping back in thought as you sang and reliving the moments again. Probably technically incorrect but it was a great effect that added a lot to the mood of the song for me. Enjoyed my listen.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie,
Singing the song did cause a flood of memories. Prof was one of those guys that enriched my life, I am proud to have known him.
"technically incorrect" PAH!! I listened again and see/hear what you mean and so would love to say I meant it, but I didn't.

Thanks a lot for listening

Alyn

The song title hinted you created a song that tells a story so I listened as I really like hearing a good story song. I wasn't disappointed. As I listened I followed along and imagined the whole story and felt like I could have been part of it.

Nice story telling.

Man, I sure wish I had been with you at those nautical gatherings.

'summer evenings in the bar forgetting
decrying what is wrong and how to put it right'

Love the way you put it. I'd wager almost every sailor has done that. I know I have.

I agree that vocals could stand to come up some.

A very enjoyable song.

Thank you Jim, I'm glad you joined me in my memories, they were good times

thanks for listening

Alyn

As a non-sailor I struggled to understand their terminology BUT they all made me feel welcome.
It is amazing how simple the solution to all the world's problems is after a few beers

I must stop prevaricating and do that

Thanks for listening

Alyn