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.
Long Red
Leslie West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dream here, dreamin' there
Two pieces all the time
Sobered, wisdoms in my dreams
Bits and pieces in my arms
This is always what it seems
Bright red, how am I gonna find a way?
Bright red
You have changed me too
Stranger now it seems somehow
Bright red has turned to blue
Long red
Tears and shades of gray
I have [Incomprehensible] you
I've lost forever from today
Long red, helpin' you to find the day
Bright red, how am I gonna find a way?
Long red
Tears and shades of gray
I have changed you
I've lost forever from today
Leslie West's song Long Red is a poetic and emotive expression of the artist's feelings and thoughts about the impact of prolonged drug use on his life. The lyrics evoke a sense of confusion and disorientation, as the long red (a metaphor for drugs or the addiction itself) flows through his mind and affects his perception of reality. The first stanza suggests that the artist is torn between two states of being - one of sobriety and wisdom, and another of dream-like existence, where reality is fragmented and elusive.
As the song progresses, the artist becomes more introspective, reflecting on the consequences of his actions and how they have altered his perspective on life. The chorus, with its repetition of the phrases "Long red, helping you to find a day" and "Bright red, how am I gonna find a way?" suggests a sense of hopelessness and desperation, as the artist struggles to find a way out of his addiction and the chaos it has caused in his life.
The last stanza of the song is perhaps the most poignant, as the artist laments the loss of what he once had, and how his addiction has irreversibly changed him and those around him. The phrase "Long red, tears and shades of gray" suggests a sense of mourning and regret, while the line "I've lost forever from today" underscores the finality and tragedy of addiction.
Overall, Long Red is a raw and honest expression of the toll of addiction and how it can alter one's perception of reality, and the struggle to find a way out.
Line by Line Meaning
The long red, flowing through my mind
My thoughts and emotions are consumed by a certain feeling or experience
Dream here, dreamin' there
I constantly have aspirations and hopes despite the challenges I face
Two pieces all the time
I am often torn between two choices, experiences, or people
Sobered, wisdoms in my dreams
Through reflection and introspection, I have gained valuable insights and knowledge
Bits and pieces in my arms
I am holding onto incomplete and fragmented memories or experiences
This is always what it seems
My experiences and perceptions are often consistent and predictable
Long red, helpin' you to find a day
The intense feeling or experience is guiding me towards finding meaning or purpose in life
Bright red, how am I gonna find a way?
I am struggling to find direction and purpose amidst an overwhelming and intense feeling
Bright red, You have changed me too
I am not the same person I was before experiencing this intense feeling or emotion
Stranger now it seems somehow
Everything feels unfamiliar and uncertain now
Bright red has turned to blue
The intensity of the feeling has dissipated and left me feeling empty or sad
Long red, Tears and shades of gray
Despite the guidance of the intense feeling, I am still experiencing pain and sadness
I have [Incomprehensible] you
I have hurt or caused pain to someone else because of this intense feeling
I've lost forever from today
My actions or experiences have permanently changed my life and relationships
Long red, helpin' you to find the day
Despite the pain and sadness, the intense feeling is still leading me towards finding meaning and fulfillment
Bright red, how am I gonna find a way?
I am still struggling to find direction and purpose amidst the intense feeling or experience
Long red, Tears and shades of gray
Despite my efforts, I am still experiencing pain and sadness caused by the intense feeling
I have changed you
My experience or actions have altered someone else's life and perception
I've lost forever from today
The changes caused by the intense feeling will have a permanent impact on my life and relationships
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FELIX PAPPALARDI, JOHN ELIS VENTURA, LESLIE A. WEINSTEIN, NORMAN LANDSBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NCAR
The long red, flowing through my mind
Dream here, dreamin' there
Two pieces all the time
Sobered, wisdoms in my dreams
Bits and pieces in my arms
This is always what it seems
Long red, helpin' you to find a day
Bright red, how am i gonna find a way?
Bright red
You have changed me too
Stranger now it seems somehow
Bright red has turned to blue
Long red
Tears and shades of gray
I have [incomprehensible] you
I've lost forever from today
Long red, helpin' you to find the day
Bright red, how am i gonna find a way?
Long red
Tears and shades of gray
I have changed you
I've lost forever from today
Clayton B
Rest In Peace The Mighty Leslie West. I wish 2020 would end already.
Adam Wagner
My favorite song in the world maybe, love Long Red! Always makes me feel something when its played. R.I.P Leslie you will always be missed!
Flannigan79
Free as a bird, lotta toasts just on how often a few get played, live suite of flowers of evil, angels tired angels, and of course the "Mountain" solo album. Leslie West ain't going nowhere
Carole Clark
I was 12 and would sneak into my brother’s room to listen to this on his 8 track. Such a great memory. RIP Leslie West.
Dimitrios ANAGNOSTOU
RIP to a guitar god!
madi
had no idea this unwitting absolute ICON of hip hop died in december. wow. it's wild. the live version is iconic, but this version is the business. listen to the voice T.T
William Shrader
My favorite rock star plays like ringing a bell and that unmistakable voice. God he was good up to died. Miss you large time.
Anthony Ornowski
Great song with that organ and Leslie's melodic guitar!
John LaStrada
Brilliant track by excellent musicians. West is an incredible guitarist. I remember the very evening I heard this song for the first time -- after this track played the disc jockey played "Heighty Hi" by Lee Michaels & I had to write that song title down also. The next day, my wallet was about $20 short and my ears were smiling. I never regretted buying either album.
Fubarfighter
I was impressed with how much Felix Pappilardi/Cream is an influence on Mountain's arrangements. Check out Look to the Wind.