“Stranger on the Shore” (Mr. Acker Bilk)

Your final classic instrumental song of the day this week is “Stranger on the Shore” by Mr. Acker Bilk. Released late in 1961, it topped all the UK charts early the next year and, later in 1962, reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was the UK’s biggest-selling single of 1962 and remains that country’s best-selling instrumental single of all time.

“Stranger on the Shore” is a piece for clarinet, played by Mr. Bilk, and orchestra. Mr. Bilk wrote the song for his daughter Jenny and originally named the piece after her. He supposedly wrote down the melody on a single sheet of paper then handed it over to arranger Leon Young, who wrote the string parts to be recorded by his Leon Young String Chorale. Although Bilk’s version is an instrumental, lyrics were later added by music publisher Robert Mellin.

The song, “Stranger on the Shore,” gained popularity as the theme for the BBC-TV series of the same name. It’s been covered by quite a few artists over the years, of particular note a solo vocal version by singer Andy Williams that hit #38 on the Hot 100 (and #9 on the Adult Contemporary chart) in 1962 and a group vocal version by the Drifters that hit #73 (and #19 on the Adult Contemporary chart) the same year.

Mr. Acker Bilk (and that “Mr.” is important) was a British clarinetist known for his heavy vibrato and playing a lot in the lower ranges of the instrument. He was also known for his unique appearance—goatee, bowler hat, and striped waistcoat. He made his bones playing in Dixieland-style jazz bands, which is where the hat and the vest came from. He had a bit of success in England, of which “Stranger on the Shore” was the definite peak, but faded out of public consciousness when rock and roll became a big thing. He was appointed an MBE in 2001 and passed away in 2014, aged 85.

I first heard “Stranger on the Shore” when I was just a wee tyke because it was a favorite of my grandparents. When my grandmother passed away, I found Mr. Bilk’s album of the same name in their record collection. I also remember hearing it in the movie Mr. Holland’s Opus, with the title character using it in a clarinet lesson for one of his young students in a wonderful scene that captures the magic of playing music. I ought to play the tune for my grandson Collin, who plays clarinet (and saxophone) in his high school band. He might get a kick out of it.