You're a real mean mama but you got a lot of time for me
And I know it ain't common to find your kinda love for free
It's a drag and a sigh and that's not all
I'm calling real long distance
It's a real long distance call

Telephone ringing mama please don't you leave it alone
Don't leave no breaks in the line it's the only thing that's tied to home
It's a drag and a sigh and that's not all
This is real long distance it's a real long distance call

Woo!

Overall Meaning

Josh Ritter's song "Real Long Distance" is a melancholic track that talks about separation and distance between two lovers who live far away from each other. The opening line of the song "You're a real mean mama but you got a lot of time for me" sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The persona is aware of the fact that his lover might be tough on him at times, but he also knows that she has feelings for him. The following line "And I know it ain't common to find your kinda love for free" talks about how unique and valuable his lover's affection is. However, despite the love, they share, the persona is struggling to cope with the long-distance relationship. The line "It's a drag and a sigh, and that's not all" emphasizes the difficulty and pain of being away from his loved one.

The chorus of the song, "I'm calling real long distance, it's a real long distance call," repeats twice, drives home the theme of the song, which is distance. The persona is calling his lover, and the distance between them is emphasized in the chorus. The second verse talks about the telephone ringing, and the persona begging his lover not to leave any breaks in the line, as it is the only thing that ties him to home. The line "This is a real long-distance call" is repeated, emphasizing how distant they are and how important communication is in keeping their relationship alive.

Line by Line Meaning

You're a real mean mama but you got a lot of time for me
Even though you seem tough and unapproachable, you still have plenty of love and attention to give me.

And I know it ain't common to find your kinda love for free
I'm aware that it's unusual to receive the kind of love you offer without any strings attached.

It's a drag and a sigh and that's not all
This situation is a source of frustration, sadness, and difficulty for me, but there's even more to it than that.

I'm calling real long distance
I'm making a phone call that involves a long distance.

It's a real long distance call
The phone call I'm making is especially long distance, meaning it covers a particularly far distance.

Telephone ringing mama please don't you leave it alone
Hey, Mama, the phone is ringing, please answer it and don't hang up on whoever is calling.

Don't leave no breaks in the line it's the only thing that's tied to home
Make sure not to disconnect the call or let the connection falter because it's the only link I have to my home and the person on the other end.

Woo!
An exclamation of excitement or celebration. Doesn't require further elaboration.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH RITTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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