The band has released five studio albums - Sound Of The Underground (2003), What Will The Neighbours Say? (2004), Chemistry (2005), Tangled Up (2007) and Out of Control (2008), plus a Greatest Hits compilation, The Sound of Girls Aloud (2006). Major singles include Sound of the Underground, Love Machine, Biology, Something Kinda Ooooh, Call The Shots and The Promise. The girls have a record 20 consecutive top 10 singles under their collective belt now, including 4 number ones. Their lowest charting top ten single, The Loving Kind, reached number 10. However, the girls 21st single Untouchable ended their top ten streak, peaking at 11 in May. Despite this, up to week ending 21st June, it has outsold top ten singles (in order of release and highest peak in the UK chart) Wake Me Up (no.4), Long Hot Summer (no.7), See The Day (no.9), Whole Lotta History (no.6) and I Think We're Alone Now, (no.4).
The girls have embarked on five major UK tours to date, traditionally starting in April or May of each year, since 2005. The 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 shows have all been sold-out arena tours, earning the girls a reputation as putting on an explosive live show. The most recent tour, Out Of Control tour 2009, is the largest tour for the girls to date, selling out venues across the UK. They are also set to be the support for Coldplay at a number of their tour dates in September 2009, including Wembley Stadium, where the girls are expected to perform a 75 minute set.
Girls Aloud are unusual in that their management has never made a major push for them to be successful other than within the UK market, and despite their huge success in London, United Kingdom, they are relatively unknown elsewhere in the world. A shame, perhaps, as Pitchfork Media called them one of the two best girl groups of the 21st Century along with Sugababes. Girls Aloud performed a cover of Aerosmith and Run DMC's 'Walk This Way' for Children In Need, with Sugababes.
Girls Aloud released their fifth studio album, Out of Control, on November 3rd 2008. The album debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart, selling over 85,000 copies. The lead single, the 60s flavoured The Promise, entered the UK Singles Chart at #1, selling more than 70,000 copies on its first week of release. The album coincides with band member Cheryl's appearance as a judge on UK TV show The X Factor, where she will manage the three final girls in an attempt to secure one of them a million pound recording contract over the other finalists. Cheryl is a judge alongside Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue. The girls also released their autobiography, Dreams That Glitter, in October 2008.
After a three year hiatus, Girls Aloud returned in October 2012 for their 10th anniversary. A countdown on their website and social media accounts kicked off on 9th October with an announcement expected on Friday 19th October. Their 22nd single, 'Something New,' leaked online on 15th October following the release a teaser video and received high praise from fans. The track premiered on Capital FM the following day.
In March 20th 2013, after the last show of the tour of the album Ten, the group announced via Twitter that they disbanded.
Hanging On The Telephone
Girls Aloud Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in the phone booth, it's the one across the hall
If you don't answer, I'll just ring it off the wall
I know he's there, but I just got to call
All:
Don't leave me hanging on the telephone
Don't leave me hanging on the telephone
Kimberley:
I heard your mother now she's going out the door
Did she go to work or just go to the store?
All those things she said, I told you to ignore
Nicola:
Oh, why can't we talk again?
Oh, why can't we talk again?
Oh, why can't we talk again?
All:
Don't leave me hanging on the telephone
Don't leave me hanging on the telephone
Cheryl:
It's good to hear your voice you know it's been so long
If I don't get your calls then everything goes wrong
I want to tell you something you've known all along
All:
Don't leave me hanging on the telephone
Nadine:
I had to interrupt and stop this conversation
Your voice across the line gives me a strange sensation
I'd like to talk when I can show you my affection
Nicola:
Oh, I can't control myself
Oh, I can't control myself
Oh, I can't control myself
All:
Don't leave me hanging on the telephone
Hang up and run to me (Oh!)
Hang up and run to me (Oh!)
Hang up and run to me (Oh!)
Hang up and run to me (Oh-whoa-oh!)
Hang up and run to me
The lyrics to Girls Aloud's song Hanging on the Telephone portrays a yearning desire for communication. The song starts with Sarah in a phone booth, calling someone she knows is there, but is not answering. She is insistent in her attempt to reach him as she threatens to ring it off the wall if he doesn't answer. The group of women then proceed to sing in unison, pleading with the person on the other side of the phone line to not leave them hanging on the telephone.
Kimberley mentions having heard the person's mother, indicating the closeness and familiarity between the two parties. She questions whether the mother went to work or to the store, indicating the mundane aspects of life that they share an interest in. Nicola, in her turn, expresses her frustration at being unable to talk again, stressing the importance of communication in maintaining a connection. Cheryl expresses happiness in hearing the person's voice, acknowledging the knowledge that the person's calls keep everything going. Nadine then interrupts, revealing that the voice across the line gives her a strange sensation, indicating there might be a romantic interest at play. Finally, Nicola confesses that she can't control herself, indicating the height of the emotions involved in this communication.
The lyrics appeal to the human desire for communication and connection, and the frustration and unease felt when it's not possible. The song's multiple vocalists add to the appeal, as it portrays a collective yearning for this communication. The call to hang up and run to me indicates the urgency felt in being connected physically and emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the phone booth, it's the one across the hall
I'm currently in a phone booth that is located directly across the hall from me.
If you don't answer, I'll just ring it off the wall
If you don't answer the phone, I will continue to call repeatedly until I get a response.
I know he's there, but I just got to call
I am aware that he is present but I feel the need to contact him anyway.
Don't leave me hanging on the telephone
Do not abandon me by not answering the phone or hanging up without adequate communication.
I heard your mother now she's going out the door
I overheard that your mother is currently exiting the building.
Did she go to work or just go to the store?
Was she leaving for work or simply running errands?
All those things she said, I told you to ignore
I previously advised you to disregard any statements made by her.
Oh, why can't we talk again?
I feel frustration at our lack of communication and long to speak with you once more.
It's good to hear your voice you know it's been so long
I am pleased to finally hear from you, as it has been quite some time.
If I don't get your calls then everything goes wrong
If I am not receiving communication from you, everything in my life feels off-kilter.
I want to tell you something you've known all along
I have information to share with you, despite the fact that it is already well-known to you.
It's good to hear your voice you know it's been so long
I am happy to connect with you, as it has been a significant length of time.
I had to interrupt and stop this conversation
I needed to pause the current exchange and interject my own thoughts.
Your voice across the line gives me a strange sensation
Hearing your voice through the telephone line causes an unusual feeling within me.
I'd like to talk when I can show you my affection
I wish to continue our conversation in person, where I can express my feelings towards you physically.
Oh, I can't control myself
I am feeling a lack of control over my emotions and actions.
Hang up and run to me (Oh!) Hang up and run to me (Oh!) Hang up and run to me (Oh!) Hang up and run to me (Oh-whoa-oh!)
Please end the call and come to me as soon as possible, echoing the desire for physical presence beyond just a phone call.
Contributed by Joshua N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hannah
i had no idea that there where so many songs on the greatest his i only thought it was the hits and money
Hannah
Ahh thank you
aussieapril
Hannah the standard version is. There was a really rare limited edition released with an extra disc of 8 tracks;
1. No Good Advice [explicit version]
2. Wake Me Up [Alternate version]
3. I Predict A Riot! [Live - from the Chemistry Tour]
4. Sound Of The Underground [alternate breakdown version]
5. Hanging On The Telephone
6. Loving Is Easy [B-side to Wake Me Up]
7. Singapore [Chemistry recording sessions]
8. Sacred Trust
DJ Waifu
The trailer theme from a game who i'm creating!!
Peter Masefield
Need a mix with "No Good Advice" given that the middle 8 sampled the middle 8 riff from this.
Henare Erceg
Holy shit I didn't notice that until now. Thanks for pointing it out.
Peter Masefield
@Eve et Chris Or 2:00 on this. 2:38 on the single version of No Good Advice.
Eve et Chris Or
Which version of NGA? I've listened to both this one and NGA but cannot find the similarities.