# Hello? Songs about phones/phone calls **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 18, 2019, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263 "2019-07-18T17:14:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/121 "2019-07-22T19:06:19Z")
Speaking of obscene calls… Prince’s - _Let’s Go Crazy_ includes the lyrics: “Call my old lady, for friendly word Picked up the phone, dropped it on the floor Ahhh, ahhh is all I heard” ---
**Author:** ![Cheese-fiend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/35a633/32.png) [@Cheese-fiend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheese-fiend)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/122 "2019-07-22T22:29:21Z")
Some oddball phone-related recommendations: Maj Britt and the Suggestions - Sorry Caller, no one home [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/twzjFgQymQg/maxresdefault.jpg "Maj Britt And The Suggestions - Sorry Caller No One Home (DJ Rat-Ward Edit) 1977") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twzjFgQymQg) Assagai - Telephone Girl [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtpeZIInFV0) The Troggs - 66-54321 [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1RibhA81lg) Terry Durham - Crystal Telephone [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SoIlFPCTWj0/hqdefault.jpg "Terry Durham - Crystal Telephone") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoIlFPCTWj0) ---
**Author:** ![Snake\_Plissken\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Snake\_Plissken\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snake_Plissken_1)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/123 "2019-07-23T14:18:29Z")
“Since your call came through there ain’t nothin’ new but the radio and the headlights And the the news at the top of the hour that no one really believes…” ‘Lover’ Michael Stanley Band 1980 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/124 "2019-07-23T15:01:47Z")
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap has the following: “Pick up the phone I’m always home Call me any time Just ring 36 24 36 hey I lead a life of crime” I always chuckle at the choice of phone number. ---
**Author:** ![Fundisi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Fundisi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fundisi)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/125 "2019-07-24T09:55:00Z")
Kevin Bloody Wilson - Dick Ta’phone (NSFW) ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/126 "2019-07-25T06:28:36Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > It was mentioned right there in the OP. And there’s nothing insipid about that great song! Great song? A guy is singing about how he’s gonna fall in love with a girl whose number he picked up in a bathroom stall? “For a good time call Jenny, 867-5309”??? It’s one of the most insanely insipid songs around. It did, however, have a really catchy refrain. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/127 "2019-07-25T16:25:52Z")
[“Little Red Light”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUxEsPziu0E&ytbChannel=null) is a terrific song by Fountains of Wayne, about a guy waiting for a call that never comes. _It’s not right It’s not fair I’m still a mess And you still don’t care I go to work I come back home But you’re still gone And I’m still alone And the little red light’s not blinking No, no the little red light’s not blinking No, no the little red light’s not blinking On my big black plastic Japanese cordless phone Oh no_ After seeing someone mention “Telephone Man” by Meri Wilson I figured that had to be the worst phone-oriented song ever recorded, but then another poster brought up Vikki Carr’s “It Must Be Him”, a strong candidate for Most Cringeworthy in the category. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/128 "2019-07-25T16:35:14Z")
I’m the first to mention Air Supply’s I’m All Out of Love I’m lying alone with my head on the phone Thinking of you till it hurts I know you hurt too but what else can we do Tormented and torn apart I wish I could carry your smile and my heart For times when my life seems so low It would make me believe what tomorrow could bring When today doesn’t really know, doesn’t really know ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/129 "2019-07-25T16:46:31Z")
[“Telephone Blues”,](https://www.allmusic.com/song/telephone-blues-mt0033511465) Eric Clapton, John Mayall, and the Bluesbreakers ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/130 "2019-07-25T17:43:12Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > After seeing someone mention “Telephone Man” by Meri Wilson I figured that had to be the worst phone-oriented song ever recorded, but then another poster brought up Vikki Carr’s “It Must Be Him”, a strong candidate for Most Cringeworthy in the category. It makes me laugh my ass off since I read Dave Barry’s _Book of Bad Songs_. “It must be him Or else I will stick my head in the oven again” ---
**Author:** ![drmark7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ba8739/32.png) [@drmark7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark7)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/131 "2019-07-26T06:21:10Z")
Don’t think I saw this one posted: Early 60s’ phone madness- I’ve always loved this song! Robin was only 11 when she recorded this!: Robin Clark - Daddy, Daddy (Gotta Get A Phone In My Room) (1961) The "phone" bells sounds more like in-school bell ringing. Love the way she pronounces “ruined”(!) What is that accent??? Here’s the original by “Betsy Brye” (1959) that has it’s charms: Sounds like it could have been a song in BYE BY BIRDIE. (Makes me think of "Going Steady/Telephone Hour") \*\_\*\_\* Found another song by ROBIN CLARK (1st song above) "For Your Sake" (1961) Boy, she was a talent!: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vbXYky4Ehkc/hqdefault.jpg "Robin Clark - For Your Sake (1961)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbXYky4Ehkc) ---
**Author:** ![Bayarea4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Bayarea4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayarea4)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/132 "2019-07-26T07:12:36Z")
“Bells Are Ringing” from the musical of the same name. _All around, there’s the sound of the midsummer night, Bells in the air are ringing ev’rywhere. I rush to answer in hopes that it’s he, But no, the call’s not for me. Here alone I can only imagine the sight. Me on the town, in some bewitching gown. But I just wait at the end ot the line, Bells are ringing The bells keep ringing, Oh why, Oh why can’t the next call be mine?_ - Betty Comden and Adolph Green ---
**Author:** ![Thin\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Thin\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thin_Ice)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/133 "2019-07-26T14:52:59Z")
Another by Robert Cray: Smoking Gun “I get a constant busy signal when I call you on the phone. I get a strong uneasy feeling you’re not sitting there alone…” ---
**Author:** ![pmwgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@pmwgreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmwgreen)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/134 "2019-07-26T15:33:36Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > _Switchboard Susan_ – Nick Lowe Also, [Nick Lowe - “Wish You Were Here”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZijXi_ZjanA) ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/135 "2019-07-26T16:17:45Z")
In the rather niche genre of country songs about struggling rodeo riders calling their partners - [Chris LeDoux - Silence On The Line](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZvZ4Scr_6Q) [George Strait - I Can Still Make Cheyenne](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJV0bu0xNEM) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/136 "2019-07-26T16:28:02Z")
Laura and Tommy were lovers He wanted to give her everything Flowers, presents and most of all, a wedding ring He saw a sign for a stock car race A thousand dollar prize it read He couldn’t get Laura on the phone So to her mother Tommy said Tell Laura I love her, tell Laura I need her Tell Laura I may be late I’ve something to do, that cannot wait ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/137 "2019-07-26T16:39:47Z")
More country, less rodeo - [Jim Reeves - He’ll have to go](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whxFcO3rFRo) And [The Quireboys cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FruBxESyZLg) of it. ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2019, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/138 "2019-07-26T23:04:56Z")
Garth Brooks “Calling Baton Rouge” Operator won’t you put me on through Gotta send my love down to Baton Rouge ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/139 "2019-07-29T09:55:09Z")
For those with access to BBC streaming services and a penchant for these songs (or at least the more upbeat ones), a BBC Radio Solent show called [Bubblegum and Cheese](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07g2hdx)just did a three-hour show of telephone songs, which can be heard for the next 28 days. Song list at the link. ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263/140 "2019-07-29T11:11:51Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Smooth Operator - Sade. > (d+r) Is this a joke? Cuz **Smooth Operator** is \*not \*about a telephone operator… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-songs-about-phones-phone-calls/837263.md?page=8)