Burning The Ground Exclusive 1984
NEW 2024 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!
Original post date: October 3, 2013
“Stranger in Town” is a song by Toto, released in 1984 as the lead single from their fifth studio album, “Isolation.” Written by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro, it features lead vocals by Fergie Frederiksen, who had recently joined the band. The song is notable for its darker tone compared to some of Toto’s other hits and its compelling story about a mysterious figure entering a quiet town.
The lyrics tell a haunting narrative of a drifter or “stranger” who seems to bring trouble and fear wherever he goes. The song builds suspense, aligning with its thematic undercurrent of paranoia and danger.
Musically, “Stranger in Town” blends rock, synth-driven sounds, and Toto’s signature polished production. It performed well on the charts, particularly in the U.S., where it reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The music video, directed by Steve Barron, was also widely recognized. It features a noir-like theme where the band members appear as characters trying to track down this mysterious “stranger.” The video’s cinematic style complements the song’s mood of tension and intrigue.
+De-notes vinyl only.
SIDE A:
Stranger In Town (Dance Mix)+ 6:52
Written-By – D. Paich, J. Porcaro
Synthesizer [Additional Effects] – Mike Cohen
SIDE B:
Change Of Heart 4:10
Arranged By [Strings] – David Paich, James Newton Howard
Conductor [Orchestra] – James Newton Howard, Marty Paich
Performer – London Symphony Orchestra, The
Written-By – D. Paich, F. Frederiksen
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Stranger In Town | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #30 |
| 1984 | Stranger In Town | U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | #7 |
CREDITS:
Label: CBS – CBSA 12.4461, CBS – A 12-4461
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Europe
Released: 1984
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
- llustration – Robert Kopecky
- Mixed By – Greg Ladanyi
- Photography By – Raul Vega
- Producer – Toto
NOTES:
Special Version From The CBS Lp: “Isolation”
Made in Holland
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Thank you for taking this one on, Paul. The Dance Mix of “Stranger In Town” does appear on at least one CD, a budget-priced disc from Sony titled “The 80’s Toto”. The 45/Single Version is still MIA on CD or Digital as far as I know.
Thank you very much
amazing song, thanks
You’re welcome 🙂
Hello! First a huge THANK YOU, Paul, for all your great work! I have two notes on this: 1) Though Fergie Frederiksen was the official lead singer on “Isolation”, the lead vocals on “Stranger In Town” are by David Paich (as it was on “Africa”). TOTO always shared the lead vocal duties. For example, on TOTO IV only half of the songs were sung mainly by lead vocalist Bobby Kimball (“Rosanna” shared with David Paich). 2) It seems that the video contains an edit of the “Dance Mix”. The album version clocks in at 4:50, the video at 5:45, and… Read more »
Thank you for sharing the info I appreciate it.
There’s also the 45 Single Version running around 3:54.
Such an underrated rocker from Toto! Funny, I didn’t associate it with Halloween, but makes total sense! I love the harder rocking polished sound, and I think the addition of Fergie Frederiksen must have been behind it (the singer from LeRoux). His only album with Toto, Isolation, is what makes it unique in their catalog. Good to see this single reached #7 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. I have your original post, so it’s extra nice to have your pristine new transfer. Thank you Paul!!
You’re welcome, Retro Hound. I hope you enjoy the new transfer.
After 3 monster top 10 hits from Toto IV, I’m sure the band had a lot of pressure from Columbia to repeat that success. I’m not sure why we didn’t play “Stranger…” as it is a hauntingly beautiful song in itself, but I never heard it played in L.A., and don’t recall ever seeing the single arrive in the mail, or from the Col/Epic rep. Professor Of Rock has interviewed the Toto guys several times on his YouTube channel, and they’re definitely worth seeing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9_YRZ1RYWQ
Really loving this rare vinyl-only remix – thank you for sharing this, Paul!
You’re welcome, Cory 🙂
Thanks for this song, Paul! It’s 100% 1984. It really burns me when the Labels do not indicate who remixed the song(s). Sometimes a different edition of the 12″ will include the credit but not in this case. Sometimes Discogs will give credit but there’s no actual proof via writing on the 12″ or sleeve so I don’t trust that info. 🙁 Anyway, it’s a very catchy chorus for those who have never heard this song! Have a great day!
according to the UK 12,” It. was mixed by Greg Ladanyi.
Toto – Stranger In Town (Remix Extended Version) (1984, Vinyl) – Discogs
I LOVE me some TOTO! 🫶😊
Thanks so much!
You’re welcome, ING 🙂
I have been waiting for a re-rip of this for awhile now, so thank you tons for this, Paul. I love these dance mixes of pop records. You’ve been ahead of the record labels in releasing these sonic gems. I hope they follow your lead, Paul, to see that the public covets different versions of classic tracks. You are a revelation to all of us, Paul.
So grateful!
Jeff
Thank you, Jeff my appreciation is immense 🙂