Long, Long Way from Home
"Long, Long Way From Home" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||||
|
"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.
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 to New York City from his hometown of Gates, New York, outside of Rochester.[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.
Ultimate Classic Rock critic Eduardo Rivadavia rated it as Foreigner's 2nd most underrated song, while Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome rated it their 4th most underrated song.
Co-writer Mick Jones has rated it as one his favorite Foreigner songs.[3][11]
In popular culture
- The song was featured in the 13th episode of Supernatural's 4th season, and the 2nd episode of its 5th season.[13]
References
- ^ a b c Rivadavia, Eduardo (2 May 2013). "Top 10 Underrated Foreigner songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
- ^ ISBN 9781623682057.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 3, 1977. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. December 3, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
- ^ Dome, Malcolm (17 June 2016). "The Top 10 Most Underrated Foreigner Songs". Classic Rock. Louder Sound. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- ISBN 9780306824388.
- ^ Milward, John (June 2, 1977). "Foreigner". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ^ a b Graff, Gary (February 11, 2022). "Ian McDonald's Top 10 Recordings: Foreigner, King Crimson & Beyond". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- ^ Graff, Gary (October 11, 2017). "Foreigner's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- ^ "Long, Long Way From Home". TV Fanatic. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 2022-06-17.