"The Red Telephone" is a song written by Arthur Lee and first released by Love on their 1967 album Forever Changes.
| "The Red Telephone" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Love | |
| from the album Forever Changes | |
| Released | November 1967 |
| Recorded |
|
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:45 |
| Label | Elektra |
| Songwriter(s) | Arthur Lee |
| Producer(s) | |
Lyrics and music
editAccording to legend, the house that the members of Love lived in had a red telephone, although the song lyrics do not relate to this. "The Red Telephone" is built on a set of folk-inspired chords.[1] The song has been compared to Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd. Themes of the song include race, imprisonment, and death.[2] It contains a harpsichord and 12-string guitar, and has an ominous feel. "Sometimes my life is so eerie," Lee sings, but then inverts the dark mood with "and if you think I'm happy / Paint me white."[3]
Reception
editAllmusic's Matthew Greenwald called "The Red Telephone" "exquisite" and wrote, "it's one of the more engaging and interesting songs on Love's Forever Changes album."[1] Ken Barnes called it "bleakly philosophical" and "apocalyptic".[4] Jim Bickhart of Rolling Stone gave it a mixed review, writing "it contains both excellent and mediocre portions."[5]
Jocelyn Manchec listed the song among the 2000 songs for your MP3 Player.[6] In 2002 the Italian Rock Magazine Il Mucchio Selvaggio listed the song on its 17 Critics & Their Top 50 Songs.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Greenwald, Matthew. "The Red Telephone Song Review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ Fowle, Kyle (February 10, 2015). "Forever Changes is a stunning indictment of The Summer Of Love". The A.V. Club. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ Barker, David (2006). 33 1/3 Greatest Hits, Volume 1. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 1441112340.
- ^ Barnes, Ken (August 6, 2006). "Arthur Lee, the legend rock almost forgot". USA Today. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ Bickhart, Jim (February 10, 1968). "Love: Forever Changes". Rolling Stone. ISSN 0035-791X. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ "Playlist Pop Rock". SensCritique. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ "17 Critics & Their Top 50 Songs". Il Mucchio Selvaggio. September 2, 2002.