I'm A Stranger Here -- Five Man Electrical Band 

Scary that the lyrics to this song are relevant 35 years later!! Thanks for posting this!

a timeless Canadian Classic from the last century ... a frightening anthem for today !!!

I have always loved this song and the message in it.

The opening picture of the bomber dropping bombs on people just shows the sheer lunacy of the human race. The stranger from another galaxy, would just turn around and go back. We were living in paradise....

Great song. I remember really liking this song as a young kid and really thinking about what the lyrics were saying. Unfortunately the words are still relevant.

The Five Man Electrical Band (originally known as The Staccatos from 1963-68) is a Canadian rock group from Ottawa. They had many hits in Canada, including the top 10 entries "Half Past Midnight" (1967) (as The Staccatos), "Absolutely Right" (1971) and "I'm a Stranger Here" (1972). Internationally, they are best known for their 1971 hit single "Signs".[1] The Staccatos made their debut as a recording act in 1965, with their early singles being written by the team of Craig and Emmerson. After releasing a non-charting single on a small independent label, the group signed to Capitol Records of Canada, and their second single, "Small Town Girl", made it into the Canadian top 20. Several follow-ups also cracked the top 40, and The Staccatos were rising stars in their native country. Rebirth as Five Man Electrical Band (1969-75) The group's new single "It Never Rains On Maple Lane" with B side "Private Train" was a mild success in Canada; the A-side appeared at #67 on the charts, but after two weeks on the charts the single was flipped over and B-side "Private Train" made it into the top 40, peaking at #37. Their album, meanwhile, contained a mixture of new material and older recordings originally released as by The Staccatos (including "Half Past Midnight") and was similarly successful in Canada. Follow-up singles failed to chart. At the end of 1969, the band ended their relationship with Capitol and signed with MGM Records. The band's first two singles on MGM (released in 1970) both charted in the mid-50s in Canada. The group's 1970 album Good-byes and Butterflies created a minor controversy with a front cover picture that featured a marijuana plant; the album was withdrawn and subsequently reissued with a new cover. In 1971, the band had their first international success when their label reissued the second MGM single "Hello Melinda, Goodbye/Signs", originally recorded in Los Angeles, with the sides reversed.[2] Disc jockeys and the public immediately took to "Signs" (written by Les Emmerson); it reached #4 in Canada, #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and went to #1 in Australia for nearly two months. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in August 1971.[3] In the next few years a number of charting singles were release: "Absolutely Right", "Money Back Guarantee", "Werewolf", "I’m A Stranger Here" and several others, all written by Emmerson. Outside of Canada, most of these were minor hits, but the band continued with a steady flow of releases and concert dates. In 1972, the band issued Coming Of Age, their third album as Five Man Electrical Band. Emmerson, who was more interested in recording in the studio than in playing live, also established a parallel solo career in 1972. Mike Bell, now going by his birth name of Michael Belanger, left the group partway through the recording of their 1973 album Sweet Paradise, and bassist Brian Rading left just as the album was being finished. The album produced several hit singles, including "I'm A Stranger Here", their highest-ever charting hit in Canada. Emmerson, Gerow and Rick Belanger attempted to keep things going with new players for a time, producing singles in 1974 and '75, with minimal chart success outside of Canada. Rick Belanger left the group in 1974, leaving Emmerson and Gerow as the only remaining permanent members of the ostensibly "Five Man" band. Shortly thereafter, when 1975's "Johnny Get A Gun" peaked at a lowly #69 in Canada, Emmerson and Gerow decided to disband the Five Man Electrical Band. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Man_Electrical_Band

"But take it from one who knows, who knows the gates of heaven can close. I only pray that you take my advice, this paradise won't come twice." --this refrain was not included in US release. This song is very cool; thanks for putting this up! :)

I still have my 45rpm single of this, thanks for letting me listen to it without digging it out of storage.

I totally agree...Songs back when this was written actually made sense. A lot of them now just jump from topic to topic, eh? I find so many have a chorus that don't have anything to do with the lyrics.

I've been teaching for 28 years and I've always used this song and Werewolf by FMEB in my gr. 4,5 and 6 classes to expose our little Canadians to real music with a message. Love this song!

Scary that the lyrics to this song are relevant 52 years later!!!

... to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory.

This song is as relevant today as when it was written!!

these guys where ahead of there time

Wow! This song's 38 years old and I swear I've never heard it before. Driving home tonight, listening to the radio, it starts playing and my wife starts singing along. Freaky. Then I find out it's FMAB. Thanks for posting it. Another great song stuck in my head now. A million times better than most of the crap that comes out now.

What a great song never forget that one

@spacerazer, I,m a Canadian boy and there is nothing like home made and what a great song by a fantastic Canadian Band!!! The Five Man Electrical Band. Whew!!!!!!

Love this...Great job... There is still Hope......

Great Canadian content from 1972!

Well, I'm a stranger here in this place called Earth And I was sent down here to discover the worth Of your little blue planet, third from the sun Come on and show me what you've done We got the aero plane, we got the automobile We got skyscraping buildings made of glass and steel We've got synthetic food that nearly tastes real And a little white pill that makes you feel Hey! A whole lot better when you get out of bed You take one in the morning for the long day ahead We got everything everybody needs to survive Surely the good life has arrived I think your atmosphere is hurting my eyes And your concrete mountains are blacking the skies Now I don't say that you've been telling me lies But why do I hear those children's cries? I'm a stranger here, I'm just looking around I see the aero planes carrying the bombs Why you've even found people to drop them on You know you can't keep what you take by force But it's only my first impression, of course Well, I'm a stranger here on your planet Earth We got the rivers and the mountains and the valleys and the trees We got the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea We got the- Oh, you crazy fools! Don't you know you had it made? You were living in paradise But take it from one who knows Who knows the gates of Heaven can close I only pray that you take my advice 'Cause paradise won't come twice Well, I'm a stranger here in this place called Earth And I was sent down here to discover the worth Of your little blue planet, third from the sun I think I'll go back home where I come from Oh, you crazy fools! Don't you know you had it made? You were living in paradise.

It's one of the best songs ever.

Love it, thanks for sharing - I've always loved this song.

wow!!! you an find everything in youtube, i never thought i would find this, OMG!!! Yes this is one of the best songs i ever heard. What a great story of a song,

This song is a lot more relevant today than it was when first came out!! WE ARE SOOOOOOO STUPID#!!! I really don't think we are going to SMARTIN UP in time to save this Place! THIS PLANET & ITS RESOURCES ARE NOT INFINITE!!

I remember seeing this band live way back in the late 60's early 70s. They're from Ottawa, Canada. Prior to calling themselves 'Five Man Electrical Band', they were known as 'The Staccatos' lead by Les Emerson. They played a couple of our school dances. Great choice of images to accompany this classic!

Thank you for liking it.

DarwinsLilGirl: This is soooooooo GOOD! Great Thanks!

This is reality, nice info, nice lyrics guys!!

Love the slideshow !

I've been looking for this song For a long time. Thanks for posting👍😃

Such an UNDER-ACHIEVER BAND that have been 'A SECRET' for Far Too Long... SERIOUSLY! WHY do Canadians NOT KNOW About THIS ARTIST? FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND?deserve Greater RESPECT

this is such a cool song..it's a message that's for sure

so true, great song

always loved this song

Good job on the slide-show/video. ;) This has always been one of my faves, since i heard it as a kid.. early-mid 70's. Awesome tune!! :D

I remember buying this 45. It’s very prophetic. At 12 or 13 it didn’t freak me out. Now it does

Great track!Thanks for uploading it.

I always thought this place was the Garden of Edan, And I thank my God for letting me live here.. to bad we all chase the Golden carrot, "MONEY", Sometimes I think we're all foolish mules. Given an amassing gift and we destroy it..

Amazing. Future tellers from years ago.

love this song,thanks for sharing.

Amidst the current Financial tumult dominating Fed. Elections in both the USA & Canada; Environmental Issues have understandably taken a backseat. However, the Planet's health worsens, progressing to new levels of criminal neglect, independent of the superficial or temporary concerns of human passengers. Almost 40 years ago, this seminal Canadian Band delivered this emotional assessment; a more relevant today than ever treatise on our stewardship of the "Little Blue Planet, Third from the Sun".

So prophetic in many ways.

I'm glad you posted the album version

Way ahead of their time and the lyrics are never ever more relevant than they are right now

One of my favourite songs when I was a kid in the 70s eating kraft dinner --somehow it tasted ok then. ..now it's just gross, maybe they changed the chemical formula in the florescent cheese. Great Canadian band. Unique way to put out a message that we need to hear more than ever. Thanks for posting this!

Safe travels Robert Leslie Emmerson (September 17, 1944 - December 10, 2021) 😞

thank you,..this song came to mind today..looked it up here.. so relevant to what we are going through today

On a more serious note, well done for uploading this.

So relevant even now!

Excellent sound and song!

i shared it with my facebook friends.i like the way you put it together. thats one great canadian band too.

I remember hearing this on the radio occasionally when SIGNS wasn't playing every other song!!!!!!! Anyone remember that summer???

In 2021... It STILL is accurate

Back in time when music talked,and today it just dont make sense.

I love it when he says "I think your atmosphere is hurting my eyes..." Hahaha

when you realize how old this song is a how things have gotten worse

Still Cool Today! Nicely Done.

Another Canadian checking in on that ,Winnipeg here !!! Love the vid !

I know all about them; I did a project on them a couple years back. Thank you.

It s like this is telling the future

The Earth was not, of course, a Paradise before mankind came along... I hope y'all know that.

awesome !! Thanks for posting that.

Great vid! Thx!

great song- great vid...takes me back..thanx. russ.

I am stranger here cause I fear ur ways, I am a stranger here cause ur poison killed my trees, I am a stranger here cause ur darkness has rubbed off, I am stranger here cause ur hurting my kind, when birds become extink so will we

THIS "Ottawa Valley Troup" SURE had some WICKED Songs! Hopefully, SOME PROGRAMMERS will Listen and NOTICE? Any Thoughts??? Curious... THEY sure have Some INCREDIBLE Tunes that SHOULD Have made the HALLOWEEN Collections and Radio Shows... HUHHH? ABSOLUTELY!!!! 😂 ❤ PS But they're LeaRning! SERIOUSLY Whew!!!!!! 😅

Rest in peace Les

2020 now. And this song somehow seems so much more appropriate today, with covid happening.

March 2020-COVID-19 Pandemic. "Oh you crazy fools don't you know you had it made; you were living in Paradise." God help us all. Amen.

@EtheR1959 That sounds fun! :) Good to know this song still gets played. More people need to listen to it and take its message to heart.

I can relate to your opinion on music. To me, music had it's golden age in the 1960's and 70's and has been in decline ever since.

@MrPiff17 The lapdance song is "Down In Mexico" by the Coasters. But it does sound a lot like "I'm A Stranger Here". I'm a big Tarantino fan but I can't recall this song being used in one of his movies. I could be wrong.

Never heard this before. Thanks. I like Absolutely Right and Signs.

My favorite song by this band ♫RIP♫ Les Emmerson

Rest easy Les Emmerson

Thanks, and you're welcome. I find it really makes me think

R.I.P. Les Emmerson

Wow 6 people must be from somewhere else..... I have allways loved this tune and it sure is a prophetic message. Just leaves one to wonder.

This Rocks.

So true! What must they think of human beings?

@spacerazer From a fellow Canadian, I can say: agreed.

Great Track Man...Thanks H.

real nice song

I'm glad you do =) Thanks

I luv the pictures along with the lyrics...tells it like it is, bang on the mark... but are we listening ?

Ron Schmidt has recently passed away and I found this great song on one of the pages of his Living Moon extensive Pegasus Consortium. Not sure how long his website Pegasus will Be Up. Ron suffered from an ulcerated leg condition which grew worse as he became older, so he was forced to leave work a number of years ago and take early retirement, thus there are no savings for the family to fall back on. His daughter lived with and helped care for him. Ron was well-loved by his family and so many friends, and will be remembered for his love of rock hounding and collecting; for his role as Baron Sir Zorgon of Shalott, Viceroy of the Isle of Standauffish in the medieval renaissance world; for his desire to build a grand renaissance theme park in Las Vegas with the help of his Isle of Standauffish Renaissance Guild; and of course for his love, passion and fascination with the mysteries of the ancient past, the spiritual, and all things extraterrestrial. www.thelivingmoon.com/49ufo_files/03files2/Chris_de_Burgh_A_Spaceman_Came_Travelling.html#1

Good theme..thanks for sharing..

Very well done. :*))

Here in 2020. Still a stranger here.

epic

Explians my life perfectly. Oh how I miss Xliaon.

Holy shit that brings back memeries!

R.I.P. Les Emmerson.

@ChobThomas: Plenty of vernacular is. If we want to get extremely technical, however, it can be considered right. What we call "video", after all, is really just a series of still images played very fast, making it nothing more than a slideshow with ADHD. How about we all just agree that I have my way of speaking, you have yours, and we can all be happy?

@MsGr8teacher That's wonderful :) I hope your students appreciate it!

wow.. good work :D

It's not a question of laziness, its all about efficiency, the average human can cover about 4-6 kilometers in an hour, a car can cover 100 and then some.

People just get more into the old stuff they have probably been listening to since they were born. Give in 20 years and kids will say "music was better 20yrs ago!" It just goes round and round, ask your grandad!

@plasterdbastard: Yes, exactly. Someone seems to get it, finally.

I remember this well. I used to have it on some K-Tel Album. It was shorter than this, though.