West gained fame the world over during his long career as one of the most innovative and influential musicians in the history of rock music. He is most noted for his role as leader of the explosive hard rock trio, Mountain, which was named by VH-1 as one of the Top 100 Hard Rock Groups of all time. With Mountain, he climbed the heights of rock stardom on the strength of a unique, signature guitar sound and classic songs such as “Mississippi Queen”, “Never In My Life” and “Theme From An Imaginary Western”,and Nantucket Sleighride which are still staples of rock radio to this day. West earned the admiration of a long list of famous peers. During his career, he recorded or played with a litany of rock icons including Billy Joel, Van Halen, The Who, Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix, to name just a few. In fact, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Schenker and Richie Sambora have all cited West as an important influence on their own music.
West's bold, expressive and unique guitar style is really a mirror of his own personality. Spend a little time talking with this larger-than-life figure, and you’ll realize that he is as charismatic without a guitar in his hands as he is with one. Possessing a sharp sense of humor, he was at once gregarious and gruff while recounting stories from his legendary past. When discussing his music projects, he exuded an infectious enthusiasm and excitement. Such projects could take him outside his traditional roles of guitarist, singer and songwriter.
In 1986, he acted alongside Tom Hanks and Shelley Long in the hit comedy film, The Money Pit and has lent his distinctive voice to the popular animated series, Beast Wars Transformers which ran for three seasons on the WB network beginning in 1996 before going into syndication. He has also contributed the theme music to the new WB show, Mutant X.
West was a popular personality on the Howard Stern Radio Show and was Musical Director for the shock jock’s FOX series, as well as for the late comedian Sam Kinison. Most recently, he lent his production and songwriting skills to an album by Atlantic Records’ modern rock group, Clutch, and has just released his own instructional guitar DVD, Big Phat Ass Guitar.
Blood Of the Sun
Leslie West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talkin' to the moon
Wadin' in the ocean
I'm sendin' for you soon
Reachin' for the handle
Achin' in my head
Woven in the bedsheets
Yeah!
Sun comes over the city
Time goes in its hand
Politicians are screamin'
There's a time and a little to spare
Leanin' out of the window
Runnin' from the gun
Caught in webs of invention
It's the blood, it's the blood of the sun
Hidin' in the ocean
With the sunshine at my side
To leave the hard road behind me
There's a light on the road that I ride
Thunder down in the valley
Rainbow 'round the moon
To leave the city behind me
I'm sendin' for you soon
Yeah, I'm sendin' for you soon
The lyrics of Leslie West & Mountain's song Blood Of The Sun contain a variety of dream-like imagery that may be interpreted in different ways by listeners. The opening lines "Standin' on my pillow, talkin' to the moon" suggest a feeling of disorientation or confusion, as if the singer's mind is wandering through different dimensions or realms. The line "Wadin' in the ocean / I'm sendin' for you soon" adds a sense of urgency or longing, as if the singer is searching for someone or something that is lost or missing.
The chorus of the song, with its repetition of the phrase "It's the blood, it's the blood of the sun," may be interpreted in various ways as well. The idea of blood being associated with the sun suggests a connection between life force and solar energy, and the phrase might refer to the power or inspiration that comes from being in tune with the natural world. The later lines about "Leavin' the city behind me / Sendin' for you soon" suggest a desire to escape the chaos and noise of modern life and seek out a simpler, more natural existence. Overall, the lyrics of Blood Of The Sun create a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere that invites listeners to explore their own interpretations and meanings.
Line by Line Meaning
Standin' on my pillow
I am lying in bed, not sleeping, but standing and looking out the window
Talkin' to the moon
I am not literally talking to the moon, but I feel like there is a connection between the nighttime sky and myself
Wadin' in the ocean
I am walking in the ocean, letting the waves and the water wash over me
I'm sendin' for you soon
I am calling out to someone, asking them to come be with me
Reachin' for the handle
I am trying to grab onto something, maybe a door handle or a window latch
Achin' in my head
I have a headache, and it is causing me discomfort
Woven in the bedsheets
I am wrapped up in the blankets on my bed
And then I will understand
Once I figure out what is causing my discomfort, I will understand what I need to do to make it go away
Sun comes over the city
The sun is rising in the morning, and I can see it shining over the buildings and streets of the city
Time goes in its hand
The passage of time is unstoppable, and it is beyond our control
Politicians are screamin'
The people in power are arguing and making noise to get their point across
There's a time and a little to spare
We have some time to make things right, but not a lot, and we need to act quickly
Leanin' out of the window
I am leaning out of a window, perhaps to get a better view or to feel the wind blowing on my face
Runnin' from the gun
I am trying to escape from danger, maybe someone is chasing me with a gun
Caught in webs of invention
I am stuck in a situation that I created for myself, and I cannot find a way out
It's the blood, it's the blood of the sun
The life-giving power of the sun is what gives us all energy and sustains us
Hidin' in the ocean
I am finding shelter in the water, maybe trying to avoid something or someone
With the sunshine at my side
I am comforted and energized by the warmth of the sun on my skin
To leave the hard road behind me
I want to escape from a difficult situation or challenge that I am facing
There's a light on the road that I ride
There is hope and guidance for me as I face my challenges as long as I stay on the right path
Thunder down in the valley
A storm is brewing in the distance, and I can hear the sound of thunder echoing through the valley
Rainbow 'round the moon
The storm has passed, and there is a peaceful and colorful sight to behold
I'm sendin' for you soon
I still need someone to be with me, help me, and comfort me as I face my challenges
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FELIX PAPPALARDI, GAIL COLLINS, LESLIE A. WEINSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
Standin' on my pillow
Talkin' to the moon
Wadin' in the ocean
I'm sendin' for you soon
Reachin' for the handle
Achin' in my head
Woven in the bedsheets
And then I will understand
Yeah!
Sun comes over the city
Time goes in its hand
Politicians are screamin'
There's a time and a little to spare
Leanin' out of the window
Runnin' from the gun
Caught in webs of invention
It's the blood, it's the blood of the sun
Hidin' in the ocean
With the sunshine at my side
To leave the hard road behind me
There's a light on the road that I ride
Thunder down in the valley
Rainbow 'round the moon
To leave the city behind me
I'm sendin' for you soon
Yeah, I'm sendin' for you soon
jomilkman
This is just such a ridiculously badass vocal performance. He is absolutely howling and hollering his guts out, and it's friggin' amazing.
JS GuitarGeek
100%
Rick L
Possibly one of the best riffs ever written.
JS GuitarGeek
Can NOT get it out of my head. Those 1/4 tone bends - ridiculous
Ben Harrison
I'll write a comment ... this underrated song by an underrated artist (Leslie) is a hidden diamond, and in this internet age of over-informed sheep-minded hipsters, maybe that is ok. Let this be found by seekers of greatness, people who will truly appreciate original music with soul!
Standard Shirley
i think it was a well written comment
Steven Setteducato
RIP Leslie....heard a cover of this by a local high school band called Red Bread, in a battle of the bands in my high school. I'll never forget that moment. Went out the next day looking for this album.
Brian Fitzgibbon
was there,Montclair high school...ed rogers, Dave Faulkner,chuck bergi,blair Leonard..= 'RED BREAD "
Dan Cantwell
THIS was the album to have in 1969 ! America's "Cream" we called them guys. Saw them live every chance I could in 60s and 70s. RIP Leslie West ! Certainly no expert on drummers but I have seen 100s and Corky Laing and Keith Moon were best and most fun ones I ever saw.
Nelson Montana
Killer riff. Killer vocals.