Calling You
Bob Telson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someplace better than where you've been
A coffee machine that needs some fixing
In a little cafe just around the bend
{Refrain:}
I am calling you
Can't you hear me
I am calling you
Baby's crying and I can't sleep
But we both know a change is coming
It's coming closer
Sweet release
{au Refrain, x2}
Desert road from Vegas to nowhere
Someplace better than where you've been
A coffee machine that needs some fixing
In a little cafe just around the bend
Hot dry wind blows right through me
Baby's crying and I can't sleep
And I can feel a change is coming
coming closer Sweet release
{au Refrain}
The song "Calling You" by Bob Telson tells the story of a person who is seeking a change in their life. The opening line, "Desert road from Vegas to nowhere," sets the tone for the song, implying that the singer is in a desolate and barren place with no direction. The next line, "Someplace better than where you've been," speaks to the idea that the singer is unhappy with their current situation and is looking for something more fulfilling.
The coffee machine in the little café symbolizes the mundane and routine nature of the singer's life, which needs fixing or changing. The refrain, "I am calling you, can't you hear me?" emphasizes the desperation and longing for a change, but also suggests that the singer is reaching out for help or guidance.
The hot dry wind and the baby crying create an atmosphere of discomfort and restlessness, indicating that the singer is struggling to find peace and contentment. However, the repetition of the phrase "sweet release" suggests that the singer believes that change is imminent and that they will find relief from their struggles.
Overall, the song "Calling You" is a powerful expression of the human desire for change and growth, and the longing for a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
Desert road from Vegas to nowhere
The singer is traveling through a deserted area, going nowhere specific. This could be emblematic of the singer's aimless life or emotional state.
Someplace better than where you've been
The singer is hoping for a better life or situation than their previous experiences.
A coffee machine that needs some fixing
The singer notices an imperfection in their present surroundings, perhaps highlighting the discord between their inner and outer worlds.
In a little cafe just around the bend
Despite present imperfections, the artist remains open to the possibility of finding a sanctuary right around the corner.
I am calling you
The artist is broadcasting their plea for connection or guidance - either to a loved one or a higher power.
Can't you hear me?
The singer wonders if their call for help has gone unheard or dismissed.
Hot dry wind blows right through me
The singer is overwhelmed by external forces, perhaps symbolizing their emotional turmoil.
Baby's crying and I can't sleep
The artist is so consumed with worry or despair that they can't rest or find peace.
But we both know a change is coming
Despite present troubles, the artist trusts that transformation is on the horizon.
It's coming closer
The change is imminent and tangible, rather than a vague hope.
Sweet release
This change promises relief from the singer's painful circumstances.
Desert road from Vegas to nowhere
The repetition of the first stanza suggests that the artist is still in limbo or travel mode, but with a renewed sense of hope.
Someplace better than where you've been
The singer reiterates their desire for a happier, healthier future.
And I can feel a change is coming
This time, the singer has specific intuition about the impending transformation, rather than blind faith.
coming closer Sweet release
The singer once again names the promised outcome of the change, with an even stronger sense of anticipation.
Writer(s): Robert Telson
Contributed by Jordan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bobtelson2877
Thanks for the good word Andrew! As to how it jumped into the piano... on my website (bobtelson.com) there's an interview I did in Australia, and here's what I said:
How do you write a song like Calling You? What was the directive?
I wish I knew; I’d write another that good. Actually, in was a confluence of events:
1. I had my first opportunity to write for a movie – which became Bagdad Cafe.
2. My girlfriend in Vienna (I was in NY) and I were breaking up. I didn’t have enough energy to get out of bed all day. Finally, guilty about my three months of procrastination, I woke up one Saturday morning and said to myself, ‘today I’m gonna write that song’. So I sat at my piano and thought about the desert, the open land, the quiet, and in it the coffee machine, the hot dry wind, the baby crying… and began to play the four-note arpeggio, recalling Bach WTC, that spells out each chord in the verse, where the last three notes of each chord stay the same and only the bass note changes, giving the feeling of being in the same place but with different lighting. As the morning becomes noonday become dusk in Bagdad Cafe. But the chorus is where the emotion, the yearning, lie. The rich and sensuous harmonic movement had to happen, a chromaticism where before it was diatonic. And I sang “I am calling you” – probably because the only thing happening in my life at that moment was the 30-minute phone call to Vienna every other day. Didn’t get the girl, but I did get the song.
Funny, really it’s mostly intuition. But as your fingers play something (maybe something you feel more than you know), you recognize the intention and how it works. In 90 minutes I had the whole song, even 90 per cent of the lyrics.
@bobtelson2877
Hi Julia, thanks for your warm comments! Here, from an interview I did, are the answers to your questions:
How do you write a song like Calling You? What was the directive?
I wish I knew; I’d write another that good. Actually, in was a confluence of events:
1. I had my first opportunity to write for a movie – which became Bagdad Cafe.
2. My girlfriend in Vienna (I was in NY) and I were breaking up. I didn’t have enough energy to get out of bed all day. Finally, guilty about my three months of procrastination, I woke up one Saturday morning and said to myself, ‘today I’m gonna write that song’. So I sat at my piano and thought about the desert, the open land, the quiet, and in it the coffee machine, the hot dry wind, the baby crying… and began to play the four-note arpeggio, recalling Bach WTC, that spells out each chord in the verse, where the last three notes of each chord stay the same and only the bass note changes, giving the feeling of being in the same place but with different lighting. As the morning becomes noonday become dusk in Bagdad Cafe. But the chorus is where the emotion, the yearning, lie. The rich and sensuous harmonic movement had to happen, a chromaticism where before it was diatonic. And I sang “I am calling you” – probably because the only thing happening in m life at that moment was the 30-minute phone call to Vienna every other day. Didn’t get the girl, but I did get the song.
Funny, really it’s mostly intuition. But as your fingers play something (maybe something you feel more than you know), you recognise the intention and how it works. In 90 minutes I had the whole song, even 90 per cent of the lyrics.
When Barbra Streisand asked you to write another verse to Calling You, what was your reaction?
I was honoured that she loved my song so much that she wanted her own personal verse to sing! Incidentally, the version I just sang for my new CD American Dreamers has that verse in it too, so I guess I do like it. The original verses are pure description, so finally in the new verse there’s action!
@TheUrszulat
This song could only have been written by a great soul. Haunting, mesmerising, and uplifting and profoundly melancholic too.
@mariaroca5762
One of the best songs ever written. This song has been with me always. What a gift. What a thing you did. You can leave this earth knowing that there are thousands of people out there with your song in their hearts and minds. When a song like this shows up it's a true miracle. Not to many of these...
@Jelam1
One of my favorite songs, haunting and bittersweet 😌
@1dantown
One of the best songs of the last 50 years.
@johncalloway1129
I have been mesmerized by this song for years. Stops me in my tracks...
@lindalewis3145
My favorite song ever!! It was the perfect most haunting song from the equally beautiful film, Bagdad Café. Levetta Steel's voice was so haunting, it will always be a personal favorite. Thank you Mr. Telson, I love your version as well!
@dragonfliesnh4204
I heard this song on American Horror Stories Season 11, episode 9. It was sung by Patti LuPone. It was quite a powerful and emotional scene. There is something about this song so I decided to see if there was a male cover of this. Upon my search I found this one here and you did an amazing job!
@bobtelson2877
Thanks for the good word- I also happened to write the tune, so not sure if it can be called a cover!
@dragonfliesnh4204
@Bob Telson You're welcome! I don't know if there is better word to use than "cover". Your version is definitely all you and not a recorded audio that you are singing to. But when I searched with the term "male cover" yours came up and it was the best male version I found. 🥰
@bobtelson2877
@Dragonflies NH Nice!