Tell Him I'm Not Home
Chuck Jackson Lyrics

Every time I call you on the phone
Each and every time I dial your number and try to connect with you via telecommunication,

They tell me that you're not at home
Someone communicating on your behalf shares with me that you're absent from the location where you'd normally be reachable via said telecommunication.

But last night when I called you
However, on the most recent occasion when I attempted to connect with you,

Before I said hello
Even before I could greet you,

I could hear you (hear you)
I perceived your audible presence,

Saying in the background
Speaking surreptitiously, perhaps under the assumption that I would not be privy to the convo,

(Saying in the background)
Uttering the following words:

Oh, yeah (tell him I'm not home)
Oh yes, convey to the person attempting to contact me that I am not situated in my domicile at present.

You're never home
You consistently don't make yourself accessible via telephonic communication for reasons unknown to me.

If, by chance, you found somebody new
Perchance you've developed a connection with another individual, rendering me no longer the primary contact or recipient of your communication,

And you don't know what to say or do
And as a result, you're uncertain regarding how to proceed, i.e., what to do about our communication dynamic,

I'd feel better when I called you
I'd experience a greater sense of relief and comfort when I endeavor to communicate with you via telecommunication in the future,

If you asked me not to phone
If you were to request in a polite and straightforward manner that I refrain from contacting you for the time being,

Instead of saying (hear you)
As an alternative to covertly speaking to me behind the scenes while pretending to be absent from the residence,

Saying in the background
Conveying your message within earshot but not directly directed at me,

(Saying in the background)
Speaking ambiguously such that someone observing the conversation but inattentive to the background noise may not recognize your instruction:

Oh, yeah (tell him I'm not home)
Oh yes, confirm that I am not available to take any calls or engage in any conversations with our mutual contact.

(Not home) not home
Underscore the absence of your physical presence within your residence, i.e., the place where I'd expect you to be reached.

(Not home) not home (not home)
Reiteratively highlight your absence from your residence.

Don't't lie, don't lie
Please refrain from lying or being dishonest with me when approached for conversation.

Baby, don't lie
Demonstrate a level of openness and honesty within our interactions, without devolving into deception or dishonesty.

If you don't want to talk to me, baby
If you'd prefer not to engage or communicate with me at present,

Please tell me why
Please articulate your reasoning or justification for such a stance in order to promote greater transparency between us.

The next time I call you on the phone
The subsequent occasion on which I attempt to reach you via telephonic communication,

Don't let them tell me
Please do not allow any intermediary or third party to convey to me that you are absent or unavailable,

That you're not at home
That you are currently situated in a location where taking phone calls from me is not a viable option.

I'd feel better if you told me
I'd be able to emotionally cope in a greater capacity if you explicitly communicated to me that you weren't up for taking my call at the moment,

That I am on my own
Stressing that I shouldn't expect any immediate support or assistance from your end during this conversation.