Among a number of groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s, including The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Supremes, Four Tops were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer; most groups of the time were fronted by a tenor. The group was the main male vocal group for the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who crafted for the group a stream of popular hit singles, including two #1 hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There". After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson. When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s. Since the 1980s, Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records.
Just Seven Numbers
Four Tops Lyrics
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Just seven numbers
Can straighten out my life
But my pride won't let me phone
Just seven numbers
Can get me through to you girl
Then I'll know you're really at home
You haven't been fair to me
You say you seen some of the act
I don't know that you're a comin' back
If I only knew where you were
Just seven numbers
Can straighten out my life
If my fingers would only turn the dial
Just seven numbers can make through girl
Just your hello would make me smile
I haven't been fair to myself
I'm tryin' to call somebody else
But after she said hi
I hung up the telephone line
If I only knew where you were
Just seven numbers
Can put me straight through to you
I never knew
Baby, wo-o-o
Just seven numbers
Can straighten out my life, oh girl
But my fingers won't turn the dial
Just seven numbers
Can put me through to you babe
Just your hello would make me smile
Just seven numbers
Just seven numbers,seven number
Just seven numbers
Just seven numbers,seven number
The Four Tops' song "Just Seven Numbers" is about a man who is struggling with the dissolution of his relationship with his girlfriend. The lyrics express his longing to reach out to her and attempt to save their relationship, but his pride is preventing him from making the call. He knows that just seven numbers are all it would take to reach her, but he cannot bring himself to dial them. He acknowledges that he and his girlfriend have both been unfair to each other, and that he has even attempted to call someone else in an effort to move on. However, he cannot shake the feeling that contacting his girlfriend is the only thing that can set things right. He finishes the song by repeating the phrase "just seven numbers," underscoring the simplicity of the act that could solve all of his problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, baby, right now
The singer is desperate for something that can change his life for the better.
Just seven numbers
He knows that the solution to his problems is as simple as dialing a phone number.
Can straighten out my life
He believes that making a phone call can solve all of his problems and change his life for the better.
But my pride won't let me phone
Despite knowing what he needs to do, the artist is too proud to pick up the phone and make the call.
Can get me through to you girl
He wants to make contact with a specific person, a girl who he needs in his life.
Then I'll know you're really at home
He wants to be assured that she is available to talk, and ready to listen.
You haven't been fair to me
The singer feels wronged by the girl and is looking for resolution.
Playing all that you see
He believes that she is flirting or engaging with other people.
You say you seen some of the act
She's been seeing other people, and the artist is aware of it.
I don't know that you're a comin' back
The artist is unsure if he has been written off by the girl.
If I only knew where you were
He has lost track of her and needs to locate her in order to make amends.
If my fingers would only turn the dial
The artist can't find the courage to make the call, even though he knows he needs to.
Just your hello would make me smile
The singer is desperate for any form of communication with the girl.
I haven't been fair to myself
The singer has neglected his own emotional well-being while obsessing over the girl.
I'm tryin' to call somebody else
The singer has considered other options, but knows deep down that the girl is the only one who can help him.
But after she said hi
The artist picked up the phone and contacted someone else, but quickly realized it was a mistake.
I hung up the telephone line
He ended the call because he realized he was making a mistake, and that he needed to talk to the girl.
Can put me straight through to you
The singer knows that the phone is the key to getting in touch with the girl and resolving their issues.
I never knew
Despite all of the singer's efforts, he remains unsure if he will be able to connect with the girl.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GLORIA JONES, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind