The Red Telephone (song)

"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
ReleasedNovember 1967 (1967-11)
Recorded
  • September 25, 1967
Genre
Length4:45
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)Arthur Lee
Producer(s)

Lyrics and music

According 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

Allmusic'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
  1. Greenwald, Matthew. "The Red Telephone Song Review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  2. Fowle, Kyle (February 10, 2015). "Forever Changes is a stunning indictment of The Summer Of Love". The A.V. Club. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  3. Barker, David (2006). 33 1/3 Greatest Hits, Volume 1. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 1441112340.
  4. Barnes, Ken (August 6, 2006). "Arthur Lee, the legend rock almost forgot". USA Today. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  5. Bickhart, Jim (February 10, 1968). "Love: Forever Changes". Rolling Stone. ISSN 0035-791X. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  6. "Playlist Pop Rock". SensCritique. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  7. "17 Critics & Their Top 50 Songs". Il Mucchio Selvaggio. September 2, 2002.
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