# Song with numbers in the chorus \[ed. title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 29, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048 "2012-08-29T16:59:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/61 "2012-09-05T21:17:45Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > I tried playing the melody on my Melodica, and I got: > F-B-A-G-F-E-F-D. It’s sung in a rather exuberant manner, by a mixed chorus. I hope that helps. (The B is the highest note.) > (YouTube stuff doesn’t play well on my computer–too much buffering.) The B-52s guess is a pretty good one. It fits the “exuberant manner” and “mixed chorus” (assuming that means male & female?) part of the description, but the melody notes given fits nothing in that song that I could hear. Plus, how could you confuse The Police with the B-52s? That said, my money is on this one right now, given the eliminations. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/62 "2012-09-05T21:35:55Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The B-52s guess is a pretty good one. It fits the “exuberant manner” and “mixed chorus” (assuming that means male & female?) part of the description, but the melody notes given fits nothing in that song that I could hear. Plus, how could you confuse The Police with the B-52s? That said, my money is on this one right now, given the eliminations. I agree…but, given the differences you mentioned, I think the OP should consider that the tune might have come to him in a vision – perhaps delivered by a man carrying a flaming pie? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/63 "2012-09-05T21:48:15Z")
> [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](#): > > Well, thanks for checking in. > > Since you vetoed my first two choices, I’m going to go with: > > [606-0842 by the B-52’s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hik5y1lNGbY). I like this option. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/64 "2012-09-06T08:10:34Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Do I want to know why you can only listen to 3 samples a day? Actually, I am not sure that I do 😉 The only way I have access to these titles is via iMesh. I download the titles and play them. The downloading takes quite a while and I have only so much time to wait. (I have dial-up.) [time taken to check titles out] Well, I did–“606-0842,” “Warsaw,” and “Whole Lotta Rosie.” I’m batting .000. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/65 "2012-09-06T11:02:02Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > The only way I have access to these titles is via iMesh. I download the titles and play them. Why can’t you just go to Amazon and listen to samples? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/66 "2012-09-06T15:09:39Z")
Well, I’m all out of ideas, then. Can you record yourself humming or singing the part you remember? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/67 "2012-09-06T15:26:11Z")
Well, here’s a [list of telephone number songs](http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/yradish/telephone-number-songs.html) and [here’s another one.](http://rateyourmusic.com/list/nigh/songs_with_telephone_numbers_in_them) Offhand, I can’t see anything there that would match. I forgot about 634-5789, but that doesn’t jibe with sounding like the Police (it does have the mixed chorus, though.) OP, when you say “mixed chorus” do you mean male and female voices? If so, that would disqualify the Police (although I think we’ve safely eliminated them at this point.) ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/68 "2012-09-06T17:51:02Z")
> [@hrhomer](#): > > I thought I was the only one with this song in my head… I thought I was the only one who remembered this song. People look at me in confusion when I mention it. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/69 "2012-09-06T20:34:01Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Well, here’s a [list of telephone number songs](http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/yradish/telephone-number-songs.html) and [here’s another one.](http://rateyourmusic.com/list/nigh/songs_with_telephone_numbers_in_them) Offhand, I can’t see anything there that would match. I forgot about 634-5789, but that doesn’t jibe with sounding like the Police (it does have the mixed chorus, though.) > > OP, when you say “mixed chorus” do you mean male and female voices? If so, that would disqualify the Police (although I think we’ve safely eliminated them at this point.) That’s how I hear it. In fact to me it sounds more like something from Motown. I couldn’t identify anything by The Police if it bit me on the nose. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/70 "2012-09-06T20:49:36Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > That’s how I hear it. In fact to me it sounds more like something from Motown. I couldn’t identify anything by The Police if it bit me on the nose. If it’s Motown, than “634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)” would be a good guess, although the melody line doesn’t follow your Melodica transcription at all. But it worth checking out, at any rate. It’s all stabs in the dark at this point. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/71 "2012-09-06T20:57:12Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It’s all stabs in the dark at this point. So, what - we’re back at Murder by Numbers?!? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/72 "2012-09-06T21:04:13Z")
_chuckle_ This thread is really vexing me. I haven’t the faintest clue what the answer could be. “Jenny” made the most sense, given the clues, but then the whole “mixed chorus” thing came into it, a Melodica transcription that doesn’t sound right (although I could see how it fit “Jenny”), and an admission that the song might be Motown. I think anything is acceptable as a guess at this point. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/73 "2012-09-06T21:13:48Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > I’ve heard this recently a few times; the refrain ends with a heavily stressed set of numbers, like a telephone number–Two Six Eight Four Three Six Nine, or something. Anyone know the title? You’ve heard it recently a few times? Based on your recent responses and bandwidth limits, that must’ve taken a **month.** :smack: ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/74 "2012-09-07T17:01:43Z")
This is seeming more and more like a troll-job. You titled the damn thread “Song by the Police.” Now you say “I couldn’t identify anything by the Police if it bit me on the nose.” WTF? Maybe you’re just picking up random tunes through your tinfoil hat. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/75 "2012-09-07T17:04:59Z")
> [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](#): > > This is seeming more and more like a troll-job. > […] > WTF? Maybe you’re just picking up random tunes through your tinfoil hat. This isn’t appropriate for Cafe Society. You can’t insult people or accuse them of trolling unless you’re in the Pit. However I am going to change the thread title since The Police seem to be out of the running. The title was originally “Song by The Police.” ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/76 "2013-11-09T11:13:14Z")
The song in question turned out to be “25 or 6 to 4,” by Chicago; it was played by KRTH, an oldies station in Los Angeles. I listen for stuff like that all the time. To Dopers who replied, thanks for your help. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/77 "2013-11-09T15:33:58Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > The song in question turned out to be “25 or 6 to 4,” by Chicago; it was played by KRTH, an oldies station in Los Angeles. I listen for stuff like that all the time. To Dopers who replied, thanks for your help. 🙂 Holy cow! I was reading this entire thread screaming “It’s Chicago!!!” but kept reading to see if someone else suggested it before I posted and here we are. And I just noticed the posts minus yours are from a year ago…so there’s that too :). ---
**Author:** ![Jason\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@Jason\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jason_T)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/78 "2015-02-02T22:59:48Z")
So, ran into this while googling my own (similar) conundrum, which turned out to be “66-5-4-3-2-1” by the Troggs. I thought I’d answer because of the OP mentioning “heavy emphasis” on the numbers, which certainly fits in that case. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/79 "2015-02-03T00:59:07Z")
Ten, Twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more The bloody Red Baron was rolling up score Eighty men died trying to end that spree Of the bloody Red Baron of Germany. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048/80 "2015-02-04T06:38:25Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Ten, Twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more > The bloody Red Baron was rolling up score > Eighty men died trying to end that spree > Of the bloody Red Baron of Germany. I owned that LP! God I’m old. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-with-numbers-in-the-chorus-ed-title/633048.md?page=3)