Lovelorn guys on the phone

[Biggirl]

I wake up with what I call WTF song lyrics stuck in my head for no reason. They are almost always oldies and come out of nowhere. Sometimes they are songs I forgot I even knew. Yesterday’s morning’s lyrics:

I’ve overcome the blow
I’ve learned to take it well
I only wish my words could convince myself
That it wasn’t real
But that’s not the way it feels

Once Jim Croce’s Operator was in my noggin, another lovelorn guy entered the chat-- Dr. Hook, talking to Sylvia’s Mother. And then Moody’s Mood for Love came unbidden into my head, but he’s not talking to a third party so I don’t think he counts. Thinking I needed to get a little bit closer to this century, my brain offered up Mr. Telephone Man by New Edition.

Is this its own genre? Are there a lot of lovelorn women talking to a third party on the phone? What is wrong with my brain?

[kenobi_65]

I also submit “Telephone Line,” by the Electric Light Orchestra:

Okay, so no one’s answering
Well, can’t you just let it ring a little longer, longer, longer?
I’ll just sit tight
Through shadows of the night
Let it ring forevermore

And, yes, women can be lovelorn on the telephone, though this song is more of a rocker: “Hanging on the Telephone,” by Blondie, with Debbie Harry on vocals:

I’m in the phone booth, it’s the one across the hall
If you don’t answer, I’ll just ring it off the wall
I know he’s there, but I just had to call

Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone

[ZonexandScout]

Though “Hanging On the Telephone” was written by a guy (Jack Lee) and originally recorded by his group, The Nerves.

[Beckdawrek]

Janis Ian

“Inventing lovers on the phone, saying “come dance with”
Murmuring vague obscenities…”

Not to go to the dark side, or anything.

[Si_Amigo]

While not exactly lovelorn, there is Travis Tritts “Here’s A Quarter Call Someone Who Cares”.

[Biggirl]

Is Blondie talking to a third party, though?

[Robot_Arm]

@kenobi_65

And, yes, women can be lovelorn on the telephone, though this song is more of a rocker: “Hanging on the Telephone,” by Blondie, with Debbie Harry on vocals:

Blondie also sang Call Me. Maybe the female equivalent the OP is looking for is for women to sing about waiting for someone to call.

[kenobi_65]

@Biggirl

Is Blondie talking to a third party, though?

If you read the full lyrics (or listen to the song), it certainly comes across to me that the singer is talking to her lover on the phone, and demanding that he (or she) hang up the phone, and come see her in person.

[Biggirl]

That’s what I thought. So is the guy in Moody’s Mood, which was why I disqualified him.

[kenobi_65]

@Robot_Arm

Blondie also sang Call Me. Maybe the female equivalent the OP is looking for is for women to sing about waiting for someone to call.

Years earlier, Petula Clark had a hit with the same title, about exactly that, as well.

[Hampshire]

On the phone long, long distance
Always through such strong resistance
First you say you’re too busy
I wonder if you even miss me

[kenobi_65]

@Biggirl

That’s what I thought. So is the guy in Moody’s Mood, which was why I disqualified him.

Ahh, I misunderstood what you were looking for.

Then, I also submit “Calling America,” by ELO, which is effectively a poppier version of their earlier “Telephone Line”:

She left a number I could call
But no one’s there, no one at all
There must be something going wrong
That number just rings on and on

[Biggirl]

The premise I was going for was talking on the phone to a third party (the operator, mom) all lorn and stuff. I guess I’ll let this thread be what it wants to be. I’m not gonna be the thread police.

You aren’t the only one, Kenobi, which indicates I was not very clear.

[Biggirl]

For women, Magic Man maybe? Although she isn’t very lovelorn, is she?

[Q.Q.Switcheroo]

The granddaddy of them all is “Hello! Ma Baby” (1899), made famous by one Michigan J. Frog.

[Procrustus]

No Reply by the Beatles and I’m losing you by John Lenon.

Somehow the wires have crossed
Communications lost
Can’t even get you on the telephone
Don’t wanna talk about it
I’m losing you, I’m losing you

I tried to telephone
They said you were not home, that’s a lie

[Q.Q.Switcheroo]

And “You Won’t See Me”:

When I call you up, your line’s engaged…

[Beckdawrek]

“Here’s my number, call me, maybe…”

[solost]

A couple lovelorn phone-related lyrics off the top of my head:

Feeling unknown
And you’re all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I’ll make you a believer

‘Personal Jesus’ by Depeche Mode

Hey, you
Out there on your own, sitting naked by the phone, would you touch me?

‘Hey You’ by Pink Floyd

[Crafter_Man]

You Didn’t Try to Call Me by The Mothers of Invention:

You didn’t try to call me
Why didn’t ya try, didn’t ya try?
Didn’t ya know I was lonely?
No matter who I take home, I keep on calling your name
And you, I need you so bad!
'Cause you’re the one, babe!

And the Outro:

I stayed home all afternoon man! I was working on my car!
I fixed the upholstery!
I fixed the seat so it would tilt back
We were going to go to the drive-in
And you didn’t call me, man!
I waited, it was Friday night
I remember now, It was nine o’clock and I was sitting out home
I was still watching television and ya didn’t try to call me!