Telephone Song
B B. King Lyrics


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Woke up this morning I was all alone
Saw your picture by the telephone
I was missing you oh so bad
Wish I had you here to hold
All I've got is this touch-tone phone
So I guess I`ll give you a call
Operator help me please
Get through to my baby way overseas
Time`s wastin' oh so fast
Hello baby tell me is that you
I don`t know what we`re gonna do
But for now I`m glad I got you on the line
Well it feels so fine
Knowing you`re all right
But you`re miles away
Lord it`s not the same
Well I woke up this morning I was all alone
Saw your picture by the telephone
I've been missing you baby oh so bad
I love you baby with all my might
Come on home and squeeze me tight




Long distance lovin's
Gonna drive me out of my mind

Overall Meaning

In B.B. King's "Telephone Song," the lyrics tell a story of a man who wakes up alone and misses his significant other. He sees her picture by the telephone and wishes he could hold her. The only option he has to contact her is to use the touch-tone phone. He pleads with the operator to help him connect with his baby overseas before time runs out. Once he successfully connects with her, he is relieved to hear her voice and know that she is okay. However, he is painfully aware that the distance between them makes it difficult to maintain their relationship.


The song highlights the difficulties of long-distance relationships and the longing that comes with separation. The lyrics also touch on the reliance on technology to stay connected, a concept that is even more relevant in today's world. The song's slow and bluesy melody adds to the melancholy tone of the lyrics, which create a wistful and nostalgic feeling.


Line by Line Meaning

Woke up this morning I was all alone
I woke up to a lonely morning, with nobody to keep me company


Saw your picture by the telephone
I saw your picture placed neatly by my telephone, reminding me of our love


I was missing you oh so bad
I was yearning for you deeply, it hurt to be without you


Wish I had you here to hold
I wish I could have you with me and hold you tight


All I've got is this touch-tone phone
All I have is this phone to communicate with you


So I guess I`ll give you a call
I think I'll give you a call because I really need to hear your voice


Operator help me please
I need assistance from the operator to connect me to my loved one


Get through to my baby way overseas
Please connect me to my beloved who is far away overseas


Time`s wastin' oh so fast
I feel like time is running out fast, and I need to speak to you


Hello baby tell me is that you
Hey sweetheart, are you the one on the other line?


I don`t know what we`re gonna do
I'm unsure of what the future holds for us


But for now I`m glad I got you on the line
At least for now, I'm grateful that I managed to get through to you on the phone


Well it feels so fine
It feels so good to hear your voice


Knowing you`re all right
I'm relieved to know that you're doing well


But you`re miles away
Unfortunately, you're far away from me


Lord it`s not the same
It's not the same without you here with me


I love you baby with all my might
I love you immensely, with all my heart


Come on home and squeeze me tight
Please come back home and give me a tight embrace


Long distance lovin's
Loving someone who is far away


Gonna drive me out of my mind
It's driving me crazy to be so far away from the one I love




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Doyle Bramhall, Stevie Ray Vaughan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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