Bob Bellows, “Stranger at the Fair” and “Yes, You Can in Spokane.”
Bob Bellows’ big break came in 1955, when he sang the title song at the New York City premier of “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing.” From that auspicious start, he developed a successful career as a singer of easy listening and light jazz. Although he was based in Florida, Bellows stayed in Spokane for the duration of the fair. He performed on the fairgrounds at the Alberta Amphitheater multiple times and also took on a recurring gig at the Virginia City Inn in Spokane. Bellows continued to perform through 2015.
With songwriter Reg Fulton, Bob Bellows produced two songs for Expo ‘74: Stranger At The Fair and Yes, You Can In Spokane.
Stranger At The Fair Lyrics
Verse 1:
There was I, a-wandering, a stranger at the fair
Carousels and silver bells and lilacs, lilacs in the air
There was she, warm, young, and free, a stranger at the fair
We walked along, we shared a song of Expo, Expo everywhere.
Verse 2 [repeated twice]:
When we watched the river reflect the lights above
We suspect the river was secretly watching me give her my love
When carousels and silver bells and lilacs fade away
She’ll always stay here in my heart, my lovely stranger at the fair
Yes, You Can In Spokane Lyrics
You can’t in Santa Fe / they just get nervous and run away
But you can, yes, you can, in Spokane!
They frown in old St. Lou / the moment you look like you wanted to
But you can, yes, you can, in Spokane!
I gotta confess, it’s a lot (more or less) / considered couth in Duluth
But havin’ a ball in St. Paul…
[Spoken] I wouldn’t know. I never go!
In Spokane, if you are a tourist who’s new,
Don’t be scared, they’re prepared!
They’ll welcome you in with a grin
[Spoken] Don’t want to boast… Spokane’s the most!
Round San Francisco Bay / they think about it and flit away
But you can, yes, you can, in Spokane!
It takes a little while / but every stranger learns how to smile
‘Cause you can, at the fair in Spokane!
[Background vocalists] You can, in Spokane! [x3]
[Background vocalists] At the fair in Spokane!
[Background vocalists, as song fades out] In Spokane! [x7]
