The Daddies' music is primarily a mix of swing, ska and rock, characterized by a prominent horn section and sardonic, often morbid, lyricism. While the band's earliest albums were rooted predominantly in punk rock and funk, their subsequent studio albums have since incorporated influences from many diverse genres of popular music and Americana into their sound, including rockabilly, glam rock, psychedelia, rhythm and blues, country, soul and world music.
Answering Machine
Cherry Poppin' Daddies Lyrics
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I never did you wrong
When you talk about me
It makes me take my receiver off of my phone
Now I'm an answerin' machine
I always play my part (my part)
Now I'm an answering machine
I threw away my heart
It's up to you to find
The words that come from power lines
So I'm beaten up inside
And I'm not a pleasure ride
When you tell me baby
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy what's your problem?
Aren't you man enough to admit you was wrong?
They tell me all this attention has effected him
Everybody is a victim in this place
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy what's your problem?
You get a hard skin sugar when you finally turn pro
You gotta be more like an executive
Talk to my answerin' machine
Now you want me to confess
To a crime I never committed
Well you want me to confess
To make my whole life easier in the city
Well you 're number is on my skin
You scratched it with your claw
Your clockwork is orange
'cause humor is against the law
It's up to you to find
The words that come from power lines
So I'm beaten up inside
And I'm not a pleasure ride
When you tell me baby
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy what's your problem?
Aren't you man enough to admit you was wrong?
They tell me all this attention has affect him
Everybody is a victim in this place
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy what's your problem?
You get a hard skin sligar when you finally turn pro
You gotta be more like an executive
Talk to my answerin' machine
The lyrics in Cherry Poppin' Daddies' "Answering Machine" suggest a confrontation between two people, with one person accusing the other of talking about them behind their back. The singer insists they have never done anything wrong to the other person, but their words are still causing harm. The singer tries to distance themselves emotionally by becoming like an answering machine, devoid of emotions and only playing their predetermined role. The lyrics also suggest the power dynamic between the two people, with the other person wanting the singer to confess to something they didn't do in order to make their life easier.
The phrase "It's up to you to find the words that come from power lines" suggests that words can hold a lot of power, and finding the right words to say can greatly affect a situation. The use of "beaten up inside" and "scratched it with your claw" suggest emotional violence inflicted by the other person's words. The chorus, with the repeated line "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy what's your problem?", adds to the powerful image of one person trying to assert themselves over another.
Line by Line Meaning
Why you talk about me
I don't understand why you're constantly talking about me when I haven't done anything wrong
I never did you wrong
I've never intentionally hurt you or done anything to warrant your constant scrutiny
When you talk about me, It makes me take my receiver off of my phone
Your obsession with me has become exhausting and I need a break from it
Now I'm an answerin' machine, I always play my part (my part)
I'm tired of answering your constant calls and need some space
Now I'm an answering machine, I threw away my heart
I'm putting up a wall and keeping my emotions hidden to protect myself
It's up to you to find The words that come from power lines
You need to take responsibility for the things you say and the impact they have on people
So I'm beaten up inside And I'm not a pleasure ride When you tell me baby
Your words and behavior have hurt me deeply and I don't feel like talking to you is enjoyable anymore
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy what's your problem? Aren't you man enough to admit you was wrong?
Why are you so fixated on me? Can't you admit when you're in the wrong?
They tell me all this attention has effected him Everybody is a victim in this place
I've heard that your obsession with me has taken a toll on you, but it's not an excuse to continue your behavior
You get a hard skin sugar when you finally turn pro You gotta be more like an executive
You need to toughen up and act like a professional instead of obsessing over me
Talk to my answerin' machine
I don't want to hear from you directly, so leave a message on my answering machine instead
Contributed by Adalyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.