Leslie West (born Leslie Weinstein on 22 October 1945; died 22 December 20… Read Full Bio ↴Leslie West (born Leslie Weinstein on 22 October 1945; died 22 December 2020) was an American rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter best known as a founding member and co-lead vocalist of the hard rock band Mountain. He also produced two studio albums and a live release with Cream bassist Jack Bruce under the name West, Bruce and Laing. West released a number of solo albums and was highly respected for his guitar work.

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.

Stormy Monday
Leslie West Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They call it stormy Monday, yes but Tuesdays just as bad.
They call it stormy Monday, yes but Tuesdays just as bad.
Wednesdays even worse; Thursdays awful sad.

The eagle flies on Friday, Saturday I go out to play.
The eagle flies on Friday, but Saturday I go out to play.
Sunday I go to church where I kneel down and pray.

And I say, "Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me.
Just trying to find my baby, wont you please send her on back to me."

The eagle flies on Friday, on Saturday I go out to play.
The eagle flies on Friday, on Saturday I go out to play.
Sunday I go to church, where I kneel down, Lord and I pray.

Then I say, "Lord have mercy, wont you please have mercy on me.
Lord, oh Lord have mercy, yeah, wont you please, please have mercy on me.

Im just a-lookin for my sweet babe, so wont you please send him home,
Send him on home to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Leslie West's song "Stormy Monday" describes a week filled with sadness and pain. Although the song receives its main focus on Monday, the following days in the week, such as Tuesday and Wednesday, are also portrayed as gloomy and disheartening. The song illustrates how the sadness accumulates as the week progresses. Leslie West also touches upon the idea that weekends can be hopeful and happy when the eagle flies on Friday, and Saturday is full of joyful activities. However, on Sundays, the singer turns to prayer and pleads to God for mercy, asking for his lost love to be returned to him. The song represents a heartfelt plea for the return of a lost love, and the pain that arises from waiting for someone who may never come back.

One interpretation of the lyrics of "Stormy Monday" suggests that the singer is using pathetic fallacy to describe his feelings about his loss through personifying the days of the week as bad, sad, and awful. Each day represents a description of how the singer is feeling, which sounds like a metaphor for the negative emotions he is enduring and how easy it is for an individual to remain trapped within their own feelings. Another interpretation is that the singer is trying to express how lonely and isolated he feels without his beloved. The song speaks of the reality of loss, the difficulties of moving on, and the desire to be reunited with his love.

Line by Line Meaning

They call it stormy Monday, yes but Tuesday's just as bad.
Mondays might be known for being unpleasant, but Tuesdays are equally as bad.

Wednesday's even worse; Thursday's awful sad.
Wednesdays are even worse, and Thursdays are filled with sadness and distress.

The eagle flies on Friday, Saturday I go out to play.
Fridays are when business happens, while Saturdays are reserved for recreation.

Sunday I go to church where I kneel down and pray.
Sundays are meant for spiritual reflection and prayer in church.

And I say, "Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me.
Expressing a plea for divine intervention and mercy from the Lord.

Just trying to find my baby, won't you please send her on back to me."
Asking for assistance in finding a lost loved one and hoping for them to return.

Then I say, "Lord have mercy, won't you please have mercy on me.
Reiterating the request for mercy from the Lord.

I'm just a-lookin' for my sweet babe, so won't you please send him home, Send him on home to me
Still searching for a lost lover and hoping for their safe return.

Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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