Although known primarily as a singer, May also plays the bodhrán, guitar and tambourine. Described as "a unique vocal talent," May is known for her musical style of rockabilly revival and has also been compared to female jazz musicians such as Billie Holiday.
Born in Dublin, the youngest of five children, she fell in love with rockabilly at the age of nine, though was also exposed to a range of musical styles, from Irish traditional music to Elvis Presley. She now specialises in rockabilly, singing her own material and covers. Her debut album with Blue Harlem was No Turning Back, which was followed by Swing Street, and Talk to Me. Her first solo release was Love Tattoo.
May has shared the stage with Alison Moyet, Dionne Warwick, Bryan Ferry, Anastasia, The Supremes, Sister Sledge, Scissor Sisters, Matt Bianco, Elvis Costello, Jools Holland, Elton John, and Jeff Beck.
Call Me
Imelda May Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Praying for your name to pop up
Telling me that your still in love
Still in love with me
No matter how hard I hope
No matter how much I want
No matter how bad I'm broke
Call, call, call, call me
You've taken all the time you need
If our love, if our love, if our love, means anything
Baby please call, call, call, call me
Can't sleep I'm scared to dream
I'm remembering everything
That you said, that you said to me
When I was yours and you were mine and
I didn't have to wait all night for you to
Call, call, call, call me
You've taken all the time you need
If our love, if our love, if our love, means anything
Baby please call, call, call, call me
Don't you miss me
Don't you need me
Don't you leave me this way
Aren't you lonely
Don't you want me
How many times must I say
Call, call, call, call me
You've taken all the time you need
If our love, if our love, if our love, means anything
Baby please call, call, call, call me
Ooh call, call, call, call me
If our love, if our love, if our love, means anything
Baby please call, call, call, call me
Imelda May's song "Call Me" is an emotive and relatable song that describes the feeling of waiting for a lover's call after a breakup. In this song, the singer expresses longing and desperation as she waits for her ex to make contact again. The lyrics "Put it down then I pick it back up, praying for your name to pop up" shows that the singer cannot get over her lover and keeps checking her phone, hoping for a call from him. She believes that he is still in love with her, though he has not proven it by making contact.
In the following verses, the singer says that she remembers everything her lover said to her when they were together. She cannot sleep and is afraid of dreaming because she fears the pain of remembering even more. The chorus repeats the plea for her lover to call her, suggesting that if he still loves her, he will respond to her waiting. The bridge brings out the urgency of her desire as she asks if he misses her, needs her or wants her, but he still does not make a move to contact her.
The song's mood is melancholic and reflective, but also hopeful. It speaks to anyone who has gone through the pain of waiting for someone, hoping that they will return. The lyrics are simple but impactful, conveying a depth of emotions, especially when paired with Imelda May's soulful voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Put it down then I pick it back up
I keep putting my phone down hoping not to seem desperate, but I can't resist picking it back up to see if you called me.
Praying for your name to pop up
I'm desperately hoping and praying for you to call me and for your name to pop up on my phone screen.
Telling me that your still in love
I hope you're calling to admit that you're still in love with me like I am with you.
Still in love with me
I'm still holding on to the hope that you're just as in love with me as I am with you.
Call, call, call, call me
Please call me, I'm begging you to reach out to me.
You've taken all the time you need
I understand if you needed time, but I am ready for you now.
If our love, if our love, if our love, means anything
If our love ever meant anything to you, please call me.
Baby please call, call, call, call me
I'm pleading with you to call me and hoping you'll reach out.
Can't sleep I'm scared to dream
I can't sleep, and I'm scared of dreaming because I'm afraid of what I'll see or not see.
I'm remembering everything
I can't stop remembering everything from when we were together.
That you said, that you said to me
I can't forget the things you told me when we were together.
When I was yours and you were mine and
I remember when we were together and belonged to each other.
I didn't have to wait all night for you to
I miss when you would call me and I wouldn't have to wait all night to hear from you.
Don't you miss me
I'm wondering if you miss me and our time together.
Don't you need me
Do you still need me like I still need you?
Don't you leave me this way
Please don't break my heart and leave me alone like this.
Aren't you lonely
Are you lonely without me like I am without you?
Don't you want me
Do you still want me like I still want you?
How many times must I say
I feel like I've said it a million times, but I still need you to call me.
Ooh call, call, call, call me
I'm still hoping and waiting for you to call me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Patrick Russell Davis, Imelda Mary Higham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OV-zg3md
Can't take my eyes off her... and yes, I'm a woman. Straight. Married.
... Well, she's so aesthetically perfect
@carolecarter7080
Saw an interview with her that said the different approach is because she wanted to be more authentic. Apparently she began to feel like she had to dress up to become Imelda May. We all need to be authentic in life and I have big respect for her!
@tunesmith7437
A real talent. None of the Pop-Diva Jive Noise. Just a talented musician with soul and heart. That is a rare commodity these freaking days.
@P.TeddyBoy
A star that fell from the sky, took shape and formed you, Mrs. Imelda May. And the light carrying the star together, not extinguished. It's your voice that listening to illuminate our own mental world !!!
@comicdetective.
If this had been written in the 60's it would be called a classic by now.
@donb3557
Makes you want to go give her a big hug, she wears her heart on her sleeve with this performance, what an extraordinary talent Imelda is. I've watched her from her Rockabilly days through so many transitions and styles, she is fast becoming a performer who will be recognised as a true musical legend.
@daveinprogress3
A beautiful song from a beautiful artist. Welcome back, Imelda. It's fab to have some new music from you.
@ronniemcloving5616
daveinprogress3 could not agree more
@gewenuaber
She's grown up :)
@eadler5929
this tears me apart..because It didn't happen that way this time.
Have loved Imelda May since rockabilly...but this makes me cry.