West L.A. Fadeaway
"West L.A. Fadeaway", written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, was first played on August 28, 1982, at the Oregon Country Fair Site in Veneta, Oregon. The song remained in steady rotation thereafter. The studio version of "West L.A. Fadeaway" appeared on the Dead's 1987 album In The Dark, which was the band's first album in six years. The song would go on to be played 140 times until its last performance on June 30, 1995. When first debuted, "West L.A. Fadeaway" was played as part of the second set, and then quickly became a first set regular (being played in the second set on only two other occasions.
Musically, "West L.A. Fadeaway" is a mid-tempo, funky rocker in which Garcia fingerpick's his rhythm parts for extra "spank", and then pulls out a pick and adds fuzz for his solo improvisations. Lyrically, it's a dark tale about searching for a "chateau" on the seedy side of L.A. where the narrator can get a room "for an hour or two". I don't think it's ever been confirmed, but many suspect the song refers to the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, where actor John Belushi died from a drug overdose in 1982.
Lyrics
Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia
Looking for a chateau
Twenty one rooms but one will do
Looking for a chateau
Twenty one rooms but one will do
I don't want to buy it
I just want to rent it for an hour or two
Met an old mistake
Walking down the street today
Met an old mistake
Walking down the street today
I didn't want to be mean about it
But I, I didn't have one good word to say
West L.A. fadeaway
West L.A. fadeaway
Little red light on the highway
Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey
I had a steady job
Hauling items for the mob
I had a steady job
Hauling items for the mob
You know the pay was pathetic
It's a shame those boys couldn't be more copacetic
I met a west L.A. girl
Already know what I need to know
I met a west L.A. girl
Already know what I need to know
Name, address and phone number, Lord
And just how far to go
West L.A. fadeaway
West L.A. fadeaway
Little red light on the highway
Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey
Looking for a chateau
Twenty one rooms but one will do
Looking for a chateau
Twenty one rooms but one will do
I don't want to rent it
I just what to use it for a minute or two
West L.A. fadeaway
West L.A. fadeaway
Little red light on the highway
Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey
Little red light on the highway
Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey
Little red light on the highway
Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey
The earliest versions of the song (eg September 12, 1982) included a verse that Robert Hunter sang but Garcia soon dropped from his version:
Here's what Ginger says
She walks right, she ain't nobody's fool
Here's what Ginger says
She always tries to play by the golden rule
She says if you treat other people all right
Other folks probably treat you right too
An early version by Robert Hunter in a solo performance in November 1981 reveals some differences in the lyrics:
Well I'm looking for a chateau
Fifteen rooms but one will do
Well I'm looking for a chateau
Fifteen rooms but one will do
No I don't want to buy it
I just want to rent it for an hour or two
Well, well, well, West L.A.
Well, well, well, fade away
Little red light on the byway
Big green light on the freeway, hey, hey, hey
Oh I quit my job
Running items for the mob
Well I quit my job
Run [right on] hideouts for the mob
Well the payment was pathetic
It's a shame those boys can't be more copacetic
Well, well, well, West L.A.
Well, well, well, fade away
Little red light on the byway
Big green light on the freeway, hey, hey, hey
I met an old mistake
Walking down the street today
Met an old mistake
Walking down the street today
I didn't want to stutter
But I could not think of one good word to say
Well, well, well, West L.A.
Well, well, well, fade away
Little red light on the byway
Big green light on the freeway, hey, hey, hey
Here's what Ginger says
She walks right, dresses right, talks right, now think Ginger you
[Shoulda know] [?] Ginger says
I think that Ginger used to know
She says if you treat other people right
You'll find that other people will usually treat you cool
That's what Ginger says
West L.A. fadeaway
West L.A. fadeaway
[tape cuts]