Long, Long Way from Home
"Long, Long Way from Home" is a song written by Mick Jones, Lou Gramm & Ian McDonald that was initially released on Foreigner's debut album. It was the third single taken from the album.
"Long, Long Way From Home" | ||||
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Single by Foreigner | ||||
from the album Foreigner | ||||
B-side | "The Damage Is Done" | |||
Released | November 1977 | |||
Recorded | late 1976 | |||
Genre | Hard rock | |||
Length | 2:45 (single) 2:53 (album) | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Mick Jones, Lou Gramm, Ian McDonald | |||
Producer(s) | Gary Lyons, John Sinclair | |||
Foreigner singles chronology | ||||
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Lyrics and music
The lyrics refer to a person leaving a small town to try to succeed in New York City ("I left a small town for the apple in decay") and the loneliness he feels there.[1] According to Gramm, the lyrics are autobiographical, reflecting his experience moving from Rochester to New York City.[1][2][3] Gramm and Jones have stated that this was the first song they worked on together.[2][3] The song features a clavinet.
Reception
The single was released in November 1977. It reached number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978.[4][2] It was also a hit in Canada, reaching #22.
Billboard Magazine described "Long, Long Way from Home" as a "sparkling rocker" with "urgent and soulful" vocals and a "hard driving hypnotic rhythm" propelled by the guitars and bass.[5] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Eduardo Rivadavia rated it as Foreigner's 2nd most underrated song.[1] Music author Kent Hartman described the song as an "anthem-like FM favorite."[6] Co-writer Jones has rated it as one his favorite Foreigner songs.[3]
Features
- The song was featured in the 13th episode of Supernatural's 4th season, and the 2nd episode of its 5th season.
References
- Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Top 10 Underrated Foreigner songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
- Gramm, Lou (2013). Juke Box Hero: My Five Decades in Rock 'n' Roll. Triumph Books. ISBN 9781623682057.
- "Mick Jones' 11 Favourite Foreigner Songs". Classic Rock. Louder Sound. April 26, 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
- "Hot 100". Billboard. February 18, 1978. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
- "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. December 3, 1977. p. 72. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- Hartman, Kent (2017). Goodnight, L.A.: The Rise and Fall of Classic Rock--The Untold Story from inside the Legendary Recording Studios. Da Capo Press. ISBN 9780306824388.