# Lovelorn guys on the phone **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [June 30, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307 "2025-06-30T16:08:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/1 "2025-06-30T16:08:48Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/2 "2025-06-30T16:13:34Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/3 "2025-06-30T16:17:36Z")
Though “Hanging On the Telephone” was written by a guy (Jack Lee) and originally recorded by his group, The Nerves. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/4 "2025-06-30T16:18:51Z")
Janis Ian “Inventing lovers on the phone, saying “come dance with” Murmuring vague obscenities…” Not to go to the dark side, or anything. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/5 "2025-06-30T16:23:31Z")
While not exactly lovelorn, there is Travis Tritts “Here’s A Quarter Call Someone Who Cares”. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/6 "2025-06-30T16:26:20Z")
Is Blondie talking to a third party, though? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/7 "2025-06-30T16:29:30Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/8 "2025-06-30T16:31:46Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Is Blondie talking to a third party, though? If you read [the full lyrics](https://genius.com/Blondie-hanging-on-the-telephone-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. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/9 "2025-06-30T16:33:43Z")
That’s what I thought. So is the guy in Moody’s Mood, which was why I disqualified him. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/10 "2025-06-30T16:33:49Z")
> [@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](https://genius.com/Petula-clark-call-me-lyrics), about exactly that, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/11 "2025-06-30T16:35:37Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/12 "2025-06-30T16:38:30Z")
> [@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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn_XsOUC9s0),” 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 ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/13 "2025-06-30T16:38:55Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/14 "2025-06-30T16:43:12Z")
For women, Magic Man maybe? Although she isn’t very lovelorn, is she? ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/15 "2025-06-30T16:43:56Z")
The granddaddy of them all is “Hello! Ma Baby” (1899), made famous by one Michigan J. Frog. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/16 "2025-06-30T16:44:36Z")
_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 ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/17 "2025-06-30T16:47:53Z")
And “You Won’t See Me”: > When I call you up, your line’s engaged… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/18 "2025-06-30T16:52:23Z")
“Here’s my number, call me, maybe…” ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/19 "2025-06-30T17:02:50Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307/20 "2025-06-30T17:13:10Z")
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!_ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovelorn-guys-on-the-phone/1020307.md?page=2)