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.
The Stealer
Leslie West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my feet was a burning ground
She stood on the corner merrily as can be
I said hey good lookin′ won't you come with me
She said yeah
I am the stealer
Came to steal your love
The world was right
I said "Tell me baby wha′cha doin' tonight"
I'm goin′ round the corner
Where the music′s loud
I'm tired of the city
Won′t you come on round
I said yeah!
I'm the stealer
Come to steal your love
Steal your love oh yeah!
Goin′ round the corner
Where the music's loud
I′m tired of the city
Won't you come on round
I said yeah
I am the stealer
Come to steal your love
Steal your love
Steal your love
Steal your love
I am going to steal you love away
I am going to steal you love away
Steal your love
The lyrics to Leslie West's song "The Stealer" depict a encounter between the singer and a woman he encounters on the corner of a busy town. The singer immediately expresses his interest in her by calling her "good lookin'" and asking her to come with him. The woman responds positively, identifying herself as "the stealer" who has come to steal the singer's love.
The lyrics then transition to a more upbeat tone, with the sun shining and the world feeling right. The singer asks the woman what she is doing tonight, to which she replies that she is going round the corner where the music is loud, expressing her tiredness of the city. The singer eagerly invites her to come along, affirming that he is also "the stealer" who has come to steal her love.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the centre of town
I ventured into the heart of the city
And my feet was a burning ground
Feeling restless and eager to move forward
She stood on the corner merrily as can be
There was a woman standing on the street, looking happy
I said hey good lookin' won't you come with me
I approached her and asked if she would like to join me
She said yeah
She agreed
I am the stealer
I am the one who takes what I desire
Came to steal your love
My intention is to take your love for myself
The sun was shining
The weather was pleasant and bright
The world was right
Everything felt perfect
I said 'Tell me baby wha'cha doin' tonight'
I asked her what her plans were for the evening
I'm goin' round the corner
She is going to a nearby place
Where the music's loud
Where there is lively music playing
I'm tired of the city
She is weary of the urban environment
Won't you come on round
I invited her to join me there
I said yeah!
I enthusiastically agreed
I'm the stealer
I am the one who takes what I desire
Come to steal your love
I have come to take your love
Steal your love oh yeah!
I will forcefully claim your love
Goin' round the corner
Moving toward the nearby place
Where the music's loud
Where the vibrant music plays
I'm tired of the city
I am weary of the urban environment
Won't you come on round
I invited her to join me there
I said yeah
I enthusiastically agreed
I am the stealer
I am the one who takes what I desire
Come to steal your love
I have come to take your love
Steal your love
Claim your love as my own
Steal your love
Take your love away from others
Steal your love
Deprive others of the love you possess
I am going to steal you love away
I am determined to possess your love fully
I am going to steal you love away
I will take your love for myself
Steal your love
Claim your love as my own
Writer(s): Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser, Paul Kossoff
Contributed by Michael L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
maguskh
Cool, smooth and jaunty version of Free's classic.
Randy Powers
Never heard this, I wonder how this collaboration was born, 2 different styles/generations.
Elke Pluntke
great song ... thanks for the upload
Elke Pluntke
wie immer toll
drtoolm
Hope to see you all in Houston
Samudra208
@maguskh Yes, it is :)
MrTeapotpilot
Steal.om