Make 1 2
Arthur Russell Lyrics
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Who sees me waiting for my friend.
Then I cross the street, make a b-line for that phone,
Oh, that one to make it happen.
Oh, to live, to find a friend.
Someone tried to call me up,
But I don't even have a phone.
But I'm waiting for your call to end.
There's someone across the street,
Who sees me waiting for my friend.
She could ask to me what's up.
I'm waiting for your call to end.
Someone tried to call me up,
But I don't even have a phone.
It's like my friends don't know I'm here,
But I'm a person on my own,
But I cross the street, make a b-line for that phone.
I'm the one to make it happen,
And to find a friend,
I make a b-line.
Oh, to find a friend
I cross the street.
I make a b-line.
Oh, a b-line.
Oh, make a b-line.
Oh, I cross the street.
The lyrics of Arthur Russell's song "Make 1 2" tackle the theme of loneliness and social isolation, which is reflected in the character's eagerness to find a friend and connect with others. The opening lines highlight the sense of surveillance and the need to redefine oneself in the presence of others. The persona is hopeful that the person across the street will not judge them for waiting alone but will instead understand their need for companionship.
As the song progresses, the character reveals that they do not even have a phone and underscores their inability to communicate with others. Nevertheless, the persona would rather wait for the call from their desired friend, no matter the social cost. The phrase "to make a b-line" suggests a sense of urgency and purpose, and the character's repeated return to the phone booth on the other side of the street demonstrates their unwavering commitment to finding a friend.
Overall, the lyrics of "Make 1 2" emphasize the difficulty of establishing meaningful connections with others, especially in the face of technological barriers and social expectations. The persona's struggle to find a friend highlights the universal human desire for companionship, and the song's repetitive structure and melancholic melody reflect the cyclical nature of loneliness and the never-ending search for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
There's someone across the street,
The singer acknowledges the presence of another person across the street.
Who sees me waiting for my friend.
The person across the street is observing the singer while they wait for their friend.
Then I cross the street, make a b-line for that phone,
The singer suddenly decides to cross the street and head straight towards a nearby phone.
Oh, that one to make it happen.
The specific phone the artist is heading towards is the one that will allow them to achieve what they want.
Oh, to live, to find a friend.
The artist desires to experience life and to find a true friend.
Someone tried to call me up,
The singer acknowledges someone tried to contact them using a phone.
But I don't even have a phone.
The singer does not own a phone and cannot be reached that way.
She could ask to me what's up,
The person who tried to call the artist may want to ask what's going on with them.
But I'm waiting for your call to end.
The artist is more interested in waiting for a specific person's call to end before responding.
It's like my friends don't know I'm here,
The artist feels ignored by their friends and their presence is not acknowledged.
But I'm a person on my own,
Despite feeling ignored, the singer is an individual with their own identity.
But I cross the street, make a b-line for that phone.
Despite feeling ignored, the artist takes action and heads towards the phone to make something happen.
I'm the one to make it happen,
The singer takes responsibility for making something happen with regards to their situation.
And to find a friend,
The singer's ultimate goal is to find a genuine friend.
I make a b-line.
The singer takes a direct and focused route towards their goal.
Oh, to find a friend
The artist reiterates their desire to find a true friend.
I cross the street.
The artist physically moves towards their goal by crossing the street.
I make a b-line.
The singer maintains their focus and determination to achieve their goal by taking a direct route to the phone.
Oh, a b-line.
The singer uses repetition to emphasize the importance of taking a direct and focused route to their goal.
Oh, make a b-line.
The artist repeats their resolve to take a direct and focused route to their goal.
Oh, I cross the street.
The artist repeats their physical action of crossing the street towards their goal.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@weirdlyevolvedcreature4828
There's someone across the street,
Who sees me waiting for my friend.
Then I cross the street, make a b-line for that phone,
Oh, that one to make it happen.
Oh, to live, to find a friend.
Someone tried to call me up,
But I don't even have a phone.
She could ask to me what's up,
But I'm waiting for your call to end.
There's someone across the street,
Who sees me waiting for my friend.
She could ask to me what's up.
I'm waiting for your call to end.
Someone tried to call me up,
But I don't even have a phone.
It's like my friends don't know I'm here,
But I'm a person on my own,
But I cross the street, make a b-line for that phone.
I'm the one to make it happen,
And to find a friend,
I make a b-line.
Oh, to find a friend
I cross the street.
I make a b-line.
Oh, a b-line.
Oh, make a b-line.
Oh, I cross the street.
@libprime_
absolutely incredible music, so far ahead of its time
@sammalone8362
Such a cool song! This guy needs more recognition.
@justinlehr8183
I don’t know how to describe this other than genius. Truly blown away.
@branchdravidian
So catchy
@forochi2
this is the song
@cathypizzagurl1007
💃
@rafaelzuniga5069
This a jaaaaasm
@branchdravidian
Someone tried to call me up, but I don’t even have a phone
@lucasgabrielvilasboas8436
Call incoming
@TheDrFunkenstein
My favorite line