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Here I Am in Singapore

from Outstanding in his Field by Richard Bowdon

/

about

The first line (and title) popped into my head while waiting at a crosswalk in Singapore in 1996. Sure, I was in Singapore, but so what? Later, back home, I figured out what the song was actually about when I wrote the last verse in a high school classroom, during my very short career as a substitute teacher.

lyrics

[D]Here I am in [Em]Singapore / [A]oh if only you could [D]see me [Bm]
On the lam in [Em]Singapore /[A] this time I really got a[D]way
I wish that you would [Em]visit me /[A] in equatorial a[D]bandon [Bm]
They have nonstops to [Em]Singapore /[A] leaving nightly from [D]LA

Oh take me back to [Em]Tokyo /[A] where that tatami mat [D]awaits me [Bm]
I was comfortable in [Em]Tokyo /[A] sometimes it really felt like [D]home
I found the women [Em]friendly there /[A] though they all seemed very [D]busy [Bm]
Many millions live in [Em]Tokyo / so I never felt a[D]lone [A]

{c:Bridge}
[D]Asia, [A]As[A7]ia, [D]that’s the [D7]place to [G]be
[D]Everybody knows that’s where the [Bm]action is (walk down)
[A]In the 21st centu[D]ry
{c:Verse break }

[D]There’s something ‘bout the [Em]Orient [A]
That makes a Westerner feel [D]special [Bm]
Taller, stronger, [Em]in demand [A]
And I speak English very [D]well
I’m almost a ce[Em]lebrity [A]
So few Americans are [D]in here [Bm]
The guards they smile and [Em]bow to me [A]
As they lead me to my [D]cell [A]

{c:Repeat bridge then repeat first verse, last line:}
They have nonstops to [Em]Singapore /[A] leaving nightly from L[G]A [A] [D]

credits

from Outstanding in his Field, released June 19, 2021
Produced and Arranged by Bob Bowdon. A Bradley Trio Production: Bob Bowdon on keyboard, Brad Bowdon on bass.

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Richard Bowdon Cary, North Carolina

A prolific singer-songwriter over four decades, Richard Bowdon carries forward the best Americana traditions of country, rock, blues, and folk.

Richard was selected three times for the Kerrville New Folk songwriting competition.

Richard performs at festivals, parties, showcases, restaurants, wineries, and brewpubs in the NC Triangle area. ... more

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