1
No cloud, a sleepy calm
Sun baked earth that's cooled by gentle breeze
And trees with rustling leaves
Only endless days without a care
Nothing must be done
Silent as a day can be
Far off sounds of others on their chosen run
As they do all those things they feel give life some meaning
Even if they're dull
Time to stop this dreaming, must rejoin the real world
As revealed by orange lights and a smoky atmosphere
The trees and I are shaken by the same winds but whereas
The trees will lose their withered leaves
I just can't seem to let them loose
And they can't refresh me those hot winds of the south
Feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place
Now the light is fading fast
Chances slip away, a time will come to pass
When there'll be none
Then addicted to a perfumed poison
Betrayed by its aftertaste
We shall lose the wonder and find nothing in return
Many are the substitutes but they're powerless on their own
Beware the fisherman who's casting out his line
Into a dried up river bed
But don't try to tell him 'cause he won't believe you
Throw some bread to the ducks instead, it's easier that way
Feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place
Sun baked earth that's cooled by gentle breeze
And trees with rustling leaves
Only endless days without a care
Nothing must be done
Silent as a day can be
Far off sounds of others on their chosen run
As they do all those things they feel give life some meaning
Even if they're dull
Time to stop this dreaming, must rejoin the real world
As revealed by orange lights and a smoky atmosphere
The trees and I are shaken by the same winds but whereas
The trees will lose their withered leaves
I just can't seem to let them loose
And they can't refresh me those hot winds of the south
Feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place
Now the light is fading fast
Chances slip away, a time will come to pass
When there'll be none
Then addicted to a perfumed poison
Betrayed by its aftertaste
We shall lose the wonder and find nothing in return
Many are the substitutes but they're powerless on their own
Beware the fisherman who's casting out his line
Into a dried up river bed
But don't try to tell him 'cause he won't believe you
Throw some bread to the ducks instead, it's easier that way
Feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae, edited by paddyP
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This song, as well as the entire album Duke, seem to reflect what Phil Collins was going through at the time with his failed relationship. Phil is always been a man who sings from his heart, and this album truly captures that. The song, to me, talks about a man who was in a haze due to his failed marriage or relationship. He seems to refer to seeing other people enjoying each other's company, and it really doesn't matter what what they're doing, as long as they're together with their love. Finally realizing he's in a smoky bar is a way of him snapping back into reality and realizing what his life is like. The reference to withered leaves seems to me that it refers to his thoughts of his failed relationship and how he can't seem to get past them. I've never quite understood what the duck bit is about, but perhaps it's a way of him fishing for happiness and not finding it. This album has been very therapeutic for me, as I am currently going through a failed 7-year relationship with my ex fiance who might have a child with. I can totally understand Phil's pain, and it's so great to hear him sing of it. At least this is my interpretation.
@Bryman1970 Actually Tony Banks wrote this song about his own experiences. Nothing to do with Phil.