The Red Telephone
Arthur Lee
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Sitting on the hillside Watching all the people die I'll feel much better on the other side I'll thumb a ride I believe in magic Why because it is so quick I don't need power when I'm hypnotized Look in my eyes What are you seeing (I see...) I feel real phony when my name is Phil Or is that Bill? Life goes on here Day after day I don't know if I'm living or if I'm supposed to be Sometimes my life is so eerie And if you think I'm happy paint me (White) (Yellow) I've been here once I've been here twice I don't know if the third's the fourth or if the The fifth's to fix Sometimes I deal with numbers And if you wanna count me Count me out I don't need the time of day Anytime with me's ok I just don't want you using up my time 'Cause that's not right They're locking them up today They're throwing away the key I wonder who it'll be tomorrow, you or me? We're all normal and we want our freedom Freedom... freedom... freedom... freedom
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10 facts about this song
Band Origin"The Red Telephone" is a song by the American rock band, "Love," which was formed in 1965 in Los Angeles. The band was led by singer and songwriter Arthur Lee.
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Album InclusionThe song is part of the band's third studio album, "Forever Changes," which was released in November 1967. This album is considered one of the greatest albums of the 1960s and one of the best psychedelic rock albums of all time.
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Song Recognition"The Red Telephone" stands out due to its mature songwriting, complex orchestrations, and thought-provoking lyrics. It is known for its haunting melody and dream-like lyrics.
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Song NarrativeThe song lyrically delves into themes of paranoia and dislocation, perhaps mirroring the societal unrest of the late 1960s.
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SongwritingLike most songs on the "Forever Changes" album, "The Red Telephone" was written by Arthur Lee. His songwriting reflects his growing disillusionment with the hippie lifestyle.
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Use of InstrumentThis song, unlike others on the album, features a prominent use of the harpsichord, which adds a baroque pop touch to the song and makes it unique.
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Cultural Impact"The Red Telephone" and the "Forever Changes" album, in general, was and still is, an enormous influence on a number of bands and musicians, including the likes of Robert Plant, the Stone Roses, and Public Enemy.
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Song ReissuesBoth the song and the album have been reissued several times since their initial release. In 2012, "Forever Changes" was remastered and reissued for a 45th-anniversary edition.
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Album Ranking"Forever Changes" is featured in numerous music listicles and rankings, and so is "The Red Telephone". Rollings Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time ranked it number 40.
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Disappointment on ReleaseDespite the recognition and accolades it has gathered over the years, "The Red Telephone" and the "Forever Changes" album performed disappointingly upon its release, with it not entering the Billboard Top 200 until 1970.
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Citation
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"The Red Telephone Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32430937/Arthur+Lee/The+Red+Telephone>.
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