Green started off as a bass player in such bands as The Muskrats. Joining The Peter B's, led by Peter Bardens, later the frontman of Camel, (including drummer Mick Fleetwood) he switched to lead guitar and made his first recordings. He took over the lead guitar spot in John Mayall and the Blues Breakers in 1966 after the departure of Eric Clapton.
After recording on one Mayall album Peter left in 1967 to form Fleetwood Mac.
Green was the guiding force of Fleetwood Mac from 1967 to 1970 when he left for musical and personal reasons. Under Green's guidance, the Mac played a very gritty and authentic version of the electric blues popularized in bars on Chicago's south side. (They even did some fine recordings there--"Blues Jam in Chicago"--which saw release only after his tenure in the band had ended). A prolific song writer also, he penned such hits as Man of the World; Oh Well; Green Manalishi; Albatross and Black Magic Woman. Albatross reached number 1 in the UK charts, Black Magic Woman was also recorded by Santana on their Abraxas album.
From 1970 to 1974, Green played some sessions, and worked with several small bands, as well as releasing two solo singles and an album of extended jams, The End of the Game for Reprise. By the end of 1974, he had withdrawn from the music scene.
By 1979 Green was recording again for PVK records as a solo artist with the debut album In the Skies; 1980 Little Dreamer; 1981 Blue Guitar; 1981 Whatcha Gonna Do; 1981 White Sky; 1984 Kolors; 1987 Katmandu; 1988 Legend; 1992 One Woman Love;
Green again left the music world in 1984, and there followed a very difficult period in his life, which came to an end in the mid 90's, and coincided with renewed interest, partly generated by a biography written by Martin Celmins, and a tribute album recorded by Gary Moore.
Green formed a new group in 1995 with Nigel Watson called the Peter Green Splinter Group. Returning to form the group produced some of Peter’s best playing since leaving Fleetwood Mac. Albums include 1997 Splinter Group; 1998 Robert Johnson Songbook; 2002 Reaching For The Cold 100.
Green left The Splinter Group in 2003. Since then, he has played sporadically, appearing at a Lord's Taverner's benefit at The Royal Albert Hall, and doing some gigs with The British Blues All-Stars.
In February 2009, Green began playing and touring again, this time as Peter Green and Friends. In May 2009 he was the subject of the BBC Four documentary "Peter Green: Man of the World", produced by Henry Hadaway. Green and the band subsequently played a tour of Ireland, Germany and England. They went on to play several dates in Australia during March 2010, including the Byron Bay Bluesfest.
Long Way from Home
Peter Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ain't got no toothbrush, ain't got no comb
well, i'm a long way from home
feeling the weather, yes, feeling the cold
so, baby, will you let me stay the night
until you see the twinkling of the light
'cause it's long way from home
and there's a long way to go
i'm long way from home
and at this moment there's just you and me
so, baby, if you let me share your heart
before you rise i'll make an early start
'cause it's long way from home
and there's a long way to go
well, there's a verse here inside
calling my name now, warming me back
a verse i can't hide
and come tomorrow i might want to stay
so, baby, if you think you need a friend
a friend that you can learn to understand
'cause it's long way from home
and there's a long way to go
well, i'm a long way from home
ain't got no toothbrush, ain't got no comb
well, i'm a long way from home
feeling the weather, yes, feeling the cold
so, baby, will you let me stay the night
until you see the twinkling of the light
'cause it's long way from home
and there's a long way to go
The lyrics of Peter Green's song, Long Way from Home, express the feeling of distant travels and the loneliness that one feels away from home. The singer is asking a stranger for a place to stay for the night, and maybe even longer. He acknowledges that he is far away from home and that the journey ahead is long and challenging. The cold weather seems to add to his sense of isolation and desperation.
However, the singer finds some relief in the stranger's company. At this moment, they are the only two people around, and the singer finds solace in sharing their heart with the stranger. He recognizes that he might need a friend and someone who can understand him. He promises to leave early in the morning, but there is a sense of hesitation in his voice as he contemplates staying longer.
The song speaks to the universal experience of feeling lost and disconnected in a new and unfamiliar place. It shows that sometimes all one needs is human connection and compassion to feel at home, even in strange surroundings.
Overall, Long Way from Home is a poignant piece that captures the emotions and thoughts that come with long journeys. It speaks to the human desire for warmth, comfort, and camaraderie in times of uncertainty and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
well, i'm a long way from home
I am far away from my house and my familiar surroundings.
ain't got no toothbrush, ain't got no comb
I am without basic hygiene instruments such as a toothbrush and a comb.
feeling the weather, yes, feeling the cold
I am experiencing the weather and it is cold outside.
so, baby, will you let me stay the night
Can I please spend the night here with you?
until you see the twinkling of the light
Until the break of dawn when the sky starts to brighten up.
'cause it's long way from home
I am far from my home.
and there's a long way to go
My journey is still a lengthy one.
over the mountains, over the seas
I have traveled many miles to get here.
and at this moment there's just you and me
Right now, we are the only two people present.
so, baby, if you let me share your heart
If you allow me, I will get close to you emotionally.
before you rise i'll make an early start
I will depart early before you wake up.
well, there's a verse here inside
I have a feeling deep down that something is about to happen.
calling my name now, warming me back
This feeling is becoming more intense and is drawing me back to where I came from.
a verse i can't hide
I am unable to keep this feeling to myself.
and come tomorrow i might want to stay
I may change my mind and decide to remain here for a while longer.
so, baby, if you think you need a friend
If you need someone to be there for you, I am willing to fill that role.
a friend that you can learn to understand
I want to be a person that you can get to know and understand better.
Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.