The Red Telephone (song)
1967 song by Love
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Red Telephone" is a song written by Arthur Lee and first released by American rock band Love on their third studio album Forever Changes (1967).
- September 25, 1967
| "The Red Telephone" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Love | |
| from the album Forever Changes | |
| Released | November 1967 |
| Recorded |
|
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:45 |
| Label | Elektra |
| Songwriter | Arthur Lee |
| Producers | |
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]