Passing Stranger

Album: Born Twice (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song describes a "passing stranger" who appears to resemble Jesus. Randy Stonehill is inspired to "follow" this man who has "sunshine in his eyes." This song is a metaphor for following Christianity in general.
  • During our interview, Stonehill revealed that he wrote this song while he was on stage: "I was playing, I think, for a youth group in the San Fernando Valley in the early '70s. It ended up on Born Twice, so it was a very early '70s. This idea came to me on stage, and I actually wrote it as I sang on stage, and they happened to be recording the concert. So the recording of that song ended up on my first record. That's surreal and a gift from God. I wouldn't say it was one of my best songs, but it actually came out in cohesive form and we kept it as it was."
  • "Passing Stranger" features on Stonehill's debut album, Born Twice, which was released in 1971.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.