Lowell George met Bill Payne when George was a member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. Payne had auditioned for the Mothers, but had not joined. They formed Little Feat along with former Mothers' bassist Roy Estrada and drummer Richie Hayward from George's previous band, the Factory. The name of the band came from a comment made by Mothers' drummer Jimmy Carl Black about Lowell's "little feet." The spelling of "feat" was an homage to The Beatles.
Their first two albums received nearly universal critical acclaim, and "Willin'" became a standard, subsequently popularized by its inclusion on Linda Ronstadt's album Heart Like a Wheel.
While touring in support of his solo album in June 1979, at the age of 34, George collapsed in his hotel room in Arlington, Virginia. The surviving members finished and released the Little Feat album "Down on the Farm" before disbanding.
The surviving former members of Little Feat reformed in 1987 when Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney, Richie Hayward and Bill Payne added songwriter/vocalist Craig Fuller, formerly from the band Pure Prairie League (who also provided some rhythm guitar), and Fred Tackett on guitar, mandolin and trumpet.
With a seemingly constant tour schedule, Little Feat is easily one of the hardest-working and enduring bands in the industry today. With a history that spans more than 30 years, Little Feat is regarded by many rock music critics as a "band's band", and as one of the greatest rock bands in American rock music history. Best known for their combination of California rock and Dixie-inflected funk-boogie, they craftily blend folk, blues, rockabilly, country and jazz to create a unique style all their own, garnering a faithful grass-roots following. Simply put, Little Feat's sound transcends traditional music boundaries and they offer fans an unforgettable live performance.
Richie Hayward became the second founding member of the band to die, passing from pneumonia and other complications of lung disease on August 18, 2010.
Long Distance Love
Little Feat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is it that you need?
I said oh, I need her so...She said you've
Got to stop your pleading
'Cause no matter what you do,
Even pray to heaven above, ooh
All you'll ever get from her is
I read the papers
And I got the blues
I'm so sad to hear the news
Help wanted, but not enough
You know these times are gettin' rough
'Cause no matter what Ido
Even pray to heaven above
All I ever get from her is long distance love
Woo-oh-ah-ha
You know her toes were so pretty
And her life so sweet
I wonder do she know
Do she she know she hurt me so
'Cause no matter what I do
I even pray to heaven above
All I seem to get from her is
Long distance love
Long distance love
The song, Long Distance Love by Little Feat, seems to tell the story of a man who is searching for a missing loved one. He contacts the authorities and asks for missing person's report, hoping that they can help locate the woman he loves. The authorities ask him what he needs and he replies saying that he needs her so badly. However, they advise him to stop pleading because no matter what he does, all he will get from her is long distance love. Even though he prays to heaven above, his love for her is distant and unrequited.
The man who sings the song is in the midst of the blues, reading the papers to keep up with the news. Despite there being help wanted, things are getting rough and there seems to be no solution to his problems. He is reminded that no matter what he does, he will get nothing but long distance love from his love interest. He tries to remind himself of the sweet moments they shared, but still can't shake off the pain that comes with unfulfilled love.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a man in love whose hope for love is dashed despite his efforts. He seems to have realized that his love for her is a long-shot and despite his efforts and prayer, nothing would come out of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, hello...Give me missing persons, they said
The singer is speaking to someone asking for help searching for a missing person.
What is it that you need?
The person is asking for clarification about what the singer needs.
I said oh, I need her so...She said you've
Got to stop your pleading
The singer is expressing their need for the person they're searching for and is told to stop begging for help.
'Cause no matter what you do,
Even pray to heaven above, ooh
All you'll ever get from her is
Long distance love
The person the artist is searching for will only give their love from a distance, no matter what anyone does.
I read the papers
And I got the blues
I'm so sad to hear the news
The artist has read some depressing news.
Help wanted, but not enough
You know these times are gettin' rough
The singer is commenting on the tough times and the lack of available help.
'Cause no matter what I do
Even pray to heaven above
All I ever get from her is long distance love
The singer is expressing frustration that the person they're searching for will only give love from afar.
Woo-oh-ah-ha
This line is a musical break.
You know her toes were so pretty
And her life so sweet
I wonder do she know
Do she she know she hurt me so
The artist is reminiscing about what they found attractive about the person they're searching for, but also expressing sadness that they feel hurt by them.
'Cause no matter what I do
I even pray to heaven above
All I seem to get from her is
Long distance love
Long distance love
The artist reiterates their frustration that no matter what they do, all they receive from the person they're searching for is long distance love.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LOWELL GEORGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Representing the Mambo
Heard this song right before I had to go on a buiness trip to Rio. The progression of the song up the mountainside to the dangerous favelas above the city to the isolated hidden samba clubs make this song a trip you can truly take in your mind to that place.