In 1992, after surviving on cheese sandwiches and maximizing credit limits, Cajmere finally made an imprint on the dance community with his infectious experiment, "Coffee Pot" (It's Time for the Percolator) – Clubhouse Records. Then he moved on to more complex musical and lyrical arrangements with songs like Lidell Townsell's "Get With U" (Mercury Records).
The Cajmere and Dajae collaboration resulted in a #2 Billboard Dance Chart and International dance hit - "Brighter Days". It was at this point that Cajmere decided to start Cajual Records. Having his own label gave Cajmere the autonomy to attain his goal of developing a sound that was representative of Chicago. Later that year, he formed the sub-label Relief Records, mostly for instrumental tracks by himself and others. The label gave birth to his first Green Velvet production 'Velvet Tracks'.
When he emerged as the flamboyant, neon-haired Green Velvet to front mid-90's hits like 'Preacher Man', 'Answering Machine' and 'Flash', the shock-waves reverberated throughout house and techno scenes the world over. This elaborately garbed, lyrically wild creature scored a direct hit, putting his hometown back on house music's production map.
Jones has since brought his DJ stylings around the globe, playing house and techno under his Cajmere and Green Velvet monikers. In addition to DJ sets, he hit the road with his live show, performing original tracks in front of crowds numbering in the tens of thousands.
"I've always been quite shy and introverted in a way," says Jones. "So it was weird getting up on stage and doing the Velvet thing. It's just quite strange that I'm doing what I'm doing now." Recent stops have included Exit Festival (Serbia), Awakenings Festival (Netherlands) and T in the Park (Scotland).
In 2009, Green Velvet’s production made waves in the dance music scene yet again with “Everybody Wants”, this time collaborating with rap-songstress and fellow Chicago native Kid Sister. The club hit was swiftly followed up with “Turn It UP”, which features powerhouse production duo Santiago & Bushido.
2010 will see the release of a new Green Velvet album with an exciting guest list that includes Afrojack, De La Soul, Diplo, Kid Sister, Santiago & Bushido, Tommie Sunshine and more. With a new Cajual Records residency in Chicago—‘Green Velvet & Friends’—also to launch this year, the imprint of this artist remains fresh with the help of his network of DJ buddies from around the world.
Answering Machine
Green Velvet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't need this shit!
Tuesday 8 am
“Hello Mr Velvet. This is your landlord calling. I’m calling to notify you that your being evicted from your apartment due to the excessive noise coming from your place and also the naked girl that was running down your hall last week doesn’t help.
So…erm…we need you to be out of there by Monday of next week. And please don’t make any noise until then. Have a nice day”.
I don't need this shit!
Wednesday 6 pm
“Hi man name is Bob, I’m calling from the Psychic Friends Network. I’m calling to give you your horoscope for today….and it looks bad. As a matter of fact your life looks bad. I say, stay in the house today, tomorrow and forever. Because your chart shows that your life is over…….”.
I don't need this shit!
Thursday 10 am
“Hi Velvet, this is LaShaan. I know you’re surprised to be hearing from me but I got your number from your mum. She told me that you wouldn’t mind so I’m calling you…and I’m going to keep calling. And I’m going to be calling you today, tomorrow and the next day……Do you have a problem with that? I know you love me….(uncontrollable laughs)”.
I don't need this shit!
Friday 9 pm
“Yo Velvet, what’s up? this is your boy Tyrone…I’m over here getting high with your girl Taniqua and shit….and she told me all the shit that happened. Man, between me you, I could have told you she was no good because she let me hit that shit once too before, you know…you know…but err…hold on a second…..( how tough is motherfucker how tough is ) yeah shes fucking up the rotation…..but err….Oh yeah man, I had this dope party at your crib last week it was the boooooomb………”.
Fuck this shit!
Saturday
“You have…no new messages”.
Green Velvet's song Answering Machine has a unique concept of showcasing the different messages a person receives on their answering machine throughout a week. The first message is from Taniqua, Velvet's girlfriend, thanking him for the engagement ring, but revealing that the baby she is carrying is not his. The song portrays the pain and frustration Velvet undergoes after hearing this message. The second message is from Velvet's landlord, informing him that he is being evicted from his apartment because of noise complaints and the naked girl running around the hallway. The third message is from a psychic friend network telling Velvet that his life is over. The fourth message is from Lashawn, a girl who is relentlessly calling Velvet, reminding him how much she loves him. The final message is from Tyrone, a guy who informs Velvet that he has been hanging out with his girlfriend, Taniqua. He also tells Velvet that he hosted a party at Velvet's place the other day.
Through this song, Green Velvet talks about how overwhelming it can be to receive different kinds of messages on an answering machine. Some of these messages can be heartbreaking, annoying, or even threatening. It portrays the importance of communication and how it can be challenging to deal with conflicts.
Overall, Green Velvet's lyrics in Answering Machine reveal how voicemails can have a significant impact on someone's mental state.
Line by Line Meaning
Hi Velvet, this is Taniqua. I hate to do this over the phone, but I sorta cant do it in person. I wanna say thank you for the engagement ring. I know you probably gave it to me after I told you I’m pregnant and stuff. And we’ve been going together for such a long time but……the babys not yours so you don’t have to worry about it. I’ll always love you”.
Taniqua informing Velvet that she is pregnant, and that his engagement ring is no longer needed since the baby is not his. She still loves him though, and regrets telling him over the phone.
Hello Mr Velvet. This is your landlord calling. I’m calling to notify you that your being evicted from your apartment due to the excessive noise coming from your place and also the naked girl that was running down your hall last week doesn’t help. So…erm…we need you to be out of there by Monday of next week. And please don’t make any noise until then. Have a nice day”.
Velvet is being evicted, as his apartment is too noisy with naked women running around. He has to leave by Monday, and is asked to keep the noise down until then.
Hi man name is Bob, I’m calling from the Psychic Friends Network. I’m calling to give you your horoscope for today….and it looks bad. As a matter of fact your life looks bad. I say, stay in the house today, tomorrow and forever. Because your chart shows that your life is over…….
Bob from the Psychic Friends Network is calling to give Velvet his horoscope, which is not good. Bob advises Velvet to stay inside the house today, tomorrow, and forever since his chart shows that his life is already over.
Hi Velvet, this is LaShaan. I know you’re surprised to be hearing from me but I got your number from your mum. She told me that you wouldn’t mind so I’m calling you…and I’m going to keep calling. And I’m going to be calling you today, tomorrow and the next day……Do you have a problem with that? I know you love me….(uncontrollable laughs).
LaShaan is calling Velvet, telling him that she got his number from his mum. LaShaan says she will keep calling Velvet for the next three days because she knows he loves her. She then laughs uncontrollably.
Yo Velvet, what’s up? this is your boy Tyrone…I’m over here getting high with your girl Taniqua and shit….and she told me all the shit that happened. Man, between me you, I could have told you she was no good because she let me hit that shit once too before, you know…you know…but err…hold on a second…..( how tough is motherfucker how tough is ) yeah shes fucking up the rotation…..but err….Oh yeah man, I had this dope party at your crib last week it was the boooooomb……….
Tyrone is calling Velvet, telling him he is getting high with his ex-girlfriend Taniqua. He reveals to Velvet that she has let him hit it before, so she is not a good woman. Tyrone also says that Taniqua is messing up the rotation. He also tells Velvet about a party he had at his apartment last week.
You have…no new messages
No new messages on Velvet's answering machine.
Contributed by Kaelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@andrewtataj497
The first time I heard this track, I was working in a club while he was giving a live performance. Being maybe the only sober person in the room, I heard the lyrics all to clearly. Been pissing myself laughing at this track for decades since.
@bronniebarbour3264
We enjoy your music last night
@TommyEfreeti
Stay in the house today, tomorrow, and forever be-cause..your chart shows your life is OVAH. Have a nice day~
@GoldenPyrenees
I hung out with him at his house in Chicago with Melvin Oliphant aka TRAXX like 15 years ago. Both perfect gentleman and amazing DJ’s.
@Vascito
Finally found it after i think a decade!
@Alldayeveryday404
This makes his song "Voicemail" THAT much better
@erikkudrna
Yes, this was earlier GV, I just discovered Voicemail, what a great update.
@frenchlou5940
Green velvets best track in my opinion
@djargakafacelessjunkiesdel7404
nah ma he has so many crushing stuff which is maybe not funny like this here but the real timeless shit <3 <3 <3
@lenawilliams539
I heard this song on a local radio station, I loved it.