Song Clearance Sheet
3 sources citedLong Red
Hard Rock1960s92BPM
C majKey
More around 90 BPM → · More in C major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
A refreshing counter-example to this catalog’s orphaned breakbeats: Leslie West confirmed a functioning clearance path (“a great publisher at Universal who gives the OK when people call”) and welcomes the 700+ documented uses rather than resenting them.
Sampled 700+ times · reportedly open to sampling
Used by independents?
Yes — used by De La Soul (Tommy Boy) and Mos Def (Rawkus), independent acts, among 700+.
Quick Facts
Released1969
AlbumMountain
GenreHard Rock, Blues Rock
LabelWindfall Records
ProducerFelix Pappalardi
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Leslie West
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Universal Music — West’s publisher, who OKs clearance requests
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — the 24-second drum intro is sampled 700–900+ times (Eric B. & Rakim, EPMD, Pete Rock, ATCQ, Nas, Jay-Z’s “99 Problems,” Kanye, J Dilla).
Do they allow reuse?
Yes in practice — a confirmed, functioning clearance path through Universal, and West welcomes the reuse rather than resenting it.
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Leslie West
The recording (current administrator)Universal Music — a confirmed, functioning clearance path
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
West welcomed being sampled, not resented it
West expressed genuine enthusiasm about the sampling rather than resentment — asking rhetorically why he shouldn’t allow it, given how many groups wanted to use it.
Wikipedia · read it →
Proper administration turned an old track into a revenue stream
As a direct result of extensive, properly licensed sampling, West earned real songwriting credit and royalties on multiple platinum and gold records he had no other creative connection to.
Songfacts · read it →
Named an essential building block by Pitchfork
Pitchfork named this sample one of the essential building blocks every sample-based producer should know, alongside “Buffalo Gals” and Beastie Boys’ “The New Style.”
Wikipedia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
700+
Times sampled
A foundational hip-hop drum/ad-lib break
Covers
1986
First flip
Big names who used itEric B. & Rakim · Jay-Z · Kanye West · J Dilla
Who to Contact
LR
Leslie West / Universal Music
Confirmed songwriter with a functioning Universal clearance path
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
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Page history · 5 updates
Jul 2026BPM/Key added via two-source check (GetSongBPM/Deezer)
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 7)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass
Jul 2026Page created — full research (New Discovery batch)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending a separate manual keyfinder pass