Cyprus-born (of Armenian ancestry) Canadian-American songwriter, singer, guitarist, actor, and voice actor specializing in jazz, blues, and Tin Pan Alley classics. Recognized by his Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and black tie, he first appeared on stage in Toronto, Canada, in the early 1970s. As well as music, he also appeared on film and television in acting and voice-over roles.
Redbone, who had a distinctive deep voice, began his career in the 1970s. His work encompassed pre-war jazz, ragtime, & blues styles with modern arrangements that still retain a vintage feel.
While living in Canada in the early 1970s, Redbone began performing in public at Toronto area nightclubs and folk music festivals. At one point, it was rumored that he was actually comedian Andy Kaufman, who sometimes took on other identities, or Frank Zappa, who somewhat resembled Redbone. However, Redbone has performed since the deaths of Kaufman and Zappa, and the rumors have subsided. David Letterman once proposed that he was Don Novello, the comedian famous for playing Father Guido Sarducci.
In 1974, Rolling Stone magazine ran a feature article on Redbone, a full year before he had a recording contract. The article described his performances as "so authentic you can hear the surface noise [of an old 78 rpm]." His first album, On the Track, was released by Warner Bros. Records in 1975. He was introduced to a larger public as a semi-regular musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s. In a late-'70s appearance on the The Merv Griffin Show, he was introduced as "Andy Kaufman ...maybe or maybe not," alluding to the eccentric comedian as being his possible true identity.
During the 1980s-90s Redbone was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. It was apparent from the on-air exchanges between host and guest that Carson was a fan of Redbone's work.
Redbone survived the crash of a small plane in Clarksburg WV on Feb. 12, 1979.
Haunted House
Leon Redbone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, my house is getting haunted, the blue ghosts are all around
I feel cold all around me, I believe my blues is done
I been in this haunted house six long years today
I been in this haunted house six long years today
Blue ghosts got my house surrounded, yes and I can't get away
Like the cat and the owl, time to keep my kind away
Like the cat and the owl, time to keep my kind away
I feel cold all around me, icycles upon my cheek
I feel cold all around me, icycles upon my cheek
So many nights it's cold now, I have my dead lover bring me heat
Doorknob keeps turning, windows keep rattling all night long
Doorknob keeps turning, windows keep rattling all night long
And I feel myself sinking low
She says I'm dead and gone, but I'll always be by your side
She says I'm dead and gone, but I'll always be by your side
And I'll haunt the woman to death if she don't treat you right
The song "Haunted House" by Leon Redbone is a characteristically eerie and bluesy tune that conveys the feelings of a person trapped in a haunted house. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been living in this house for six years and is surrounded by blue ghosts - a metaphor for a depressing feeling that seems to cling onto him. He feels coldness all around him, and icycles on his cheek, expressing the loneliness and lack of warmth he feels. The doors and windows keep rattling and turning, but he can't get away from them or the feeling of being trapped.
The singer mentions that he has his dead lover who brings him warmth in the cold nights, which could suggest that he is also haunted by his past and memories of a lost love. He says that his dead lover will always be by his side, manifesting the theme of the afterlife and how love can transcend beyond death. The last line is a threat to the woman who doesn't treat him right - he says he will haunt her to death. It is unclear who the woman he is referring to is, possibly the person who sold him the haunted house.
Overall, the song creates a vivid image of a haunted house that is not just scary because of the ghosts but also because it seems to keep the singer trapped in his own misery.
Line by Line Meaning
It's my house that's getting haunted, the blue ghosts are all around
The singer's house is being haunted by blue ghosts.
Yeah, my house is getting haunted, the blue ghosts are all around
The haunting of the house is continuing.
I feel cold all around me, I believe my blues is done
The singer is feeling cold due to the ghostly presence and his troubles may soon be over.
I been in this haunted house six long years today
The singer has been living in the haunted house for six years now.
Blue ghosts got my house surrounded, yes and I can't get away
The ghosts have surrounded the house, leaving no way out for the singer.
Like the cat and the owl, time to keep my kind away
It's better for the singer to stay away from the house, just like cats and owls do.
Yeah and they understand my misery and they sympathize with me
The singer believes that the cats and owls sympathize with his suffering.
I feel cold all around me, icycles upon my cheek
The singer is feeling extremely cold due to the haunting, to the point where ice is forming on his face.
So many nights it's cold now, I have my dead lover bring me heat
The singer's dead lover provides him warmth on cold nights.
Doorknob keeps turning, windows keep rattling all night long
The haunting continues with doors and windows being disturbed all night long.
And I feel myself sinking low
The singer's spirits are low as he continues to be haunted.
She says I'm dead and gone, but I'll always be by your side
The singer's dead lover promises to remain by his side.
And I'll haunt the woman to death if she don't treat you right
The singer's dead lover threatens to haunt a woman if she mistreats him.
Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@KatyGerman
It's my house that's getting haunted, the blue ghosts are all around
Yeah, my house is getting haunted, the blue ghosts are all around
I feel cold all around me, I believe my blues is done
I been in this haunted house six long years today
I been in this haunted house six long years today
Blue ghosts got my house surrounded, yes and I can't get away
Like the cat and the owl, time to keep my kind away
Like the cat and the owl, time to keep my kind away
Yeah and they understand my sorrow and they sympathize with me
I feel cold all around me, icicles upon my cheek
I feel cold all around me, icicles upon my cheek
So many nights it's cold now, I have my dead lover bring me heat
Doorknob keeps turning, windows keep rattling all night long
Doorknob keeps turning, windows keep rattling all night long
And I feel myself sinking low
She says I'm dead and gone, but I'll always be by your side
She says I'm dead and gone, but I'll always be by your side
And I'll haunt the woman to death if she don't treat you right
@johnmurray2214
I got him on vinyl records that pick up all the tones like music you’ve never heard.
Some of the best music ever
@e-rokekenedi7834
What a great, wonderfully eccentric performer. R.I.P., Mr. Redbone and thanks.
@johndavis6119
Never heard this one before. Man, this is vintage Redbone. Smoothe as Southern Comfort.
@LeonRedboneTributeChannel
Indeed, this song gets very little attention or appreciation so I am glad you took the time to stop by.
@jamessmitherman63
Nice with the haunted house fiddle.
@markplacker5651
hearing for the first time....lawd lawd....this is good
@charlesjordan8364
Thanks for posting this, blues at it's best!
@philipmay3875
Leon is who I want to be when I grow up.
@dr.swoovermarkerjaggerwins1062
damn right
@davidmarkham4891
Superb ! Thanks Leon ! You make my life so much better ! I love you !