Telemiscommunications
Imogen Heap Lyrics


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Hey babe, how's your day been?
No, you first
Oh, what? The delay's quite bad
Yeah, sorry
Where are you? I can't really hear you
A taxi distracted, anyway you, you were saying?
Wait, uh, now they're waving me over
Can I call you back? Yeah, everything's fine
Why, am I, I don't know why
I probably just need sleep, it's been a busy week
Sorry, I've got to go
Sorry, okay bye

This is just so unlike us
Cut back to horizontalisms
If we could win just one small touch
Contact versus telemiscommunications

Plan foiled, the sirens pass by
Kids screaming
The longest public announcement
Reached check-in, finally got through
Running for a flight, shoes off
You're calling voicemail
In joke, group laughter
Closing scenes in a meeting
Angel, angel why didn't you tell me?
One second, someone needs directions
Can't you see I'm on the phone?

This is just so unlike us
Cut back to horizontalisms
If we could win just one small touch
Contact versus telemiscommunications
So unlike us (unlike us)
Cut back to horizontalisms
If we could win just one small touch
Contact versus telemiscommunications

Did I tell you I loved you today?
Did I tell you I loved you today?
Did I tell you I loved you today?
Did I tell you I loved you today
(Whoa whoa) did I tell you I loved you today?
(Whoa whoa) did I tell you I loved you today?




(Whoa whoa) did I tell you I loved you today?
(Whoa whoa) did I tell you, I loved you today?

Overall Meaning

The song Telemiscommunications by Imogen Heap is a portrayal of our modern-day communication crisis, where we are willing to sacrifice real and authentic human connection for mere technological convenience. The lyrics revolve around a conversation between two individuals who are struggling to have a meaningful conversation due to a poor connection. It represents the superficiality of our current communication, where we exchange pleasantries and small talk rather than talking about our genuine feelings and emotions. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that they are talking through a screen, and they are struggling to hear each other or understand each other’s feelings.


The chorus of the song is catchy and repetitive, symbolizing the frustration and longing for a more profound and meaningful connection. The song cleverly uses the word “telemiscommunications” to describe the breakdown of communication that happens over technology. The usage of the word “horizontalisms” in the verse suggests that their conversation is limited to only physical attraction, and they are not able to hold a conversation to delve deeper into their personalities and emotions.


Overall, the song is a poignant reminder of the importance of genuine human connection that we often forget in the age of technology.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey babe, how's your day been?
Asking a loved one how their day went.


No, you first
Politely insisting that the other person share their day first.


Oh, what? The delay's quite bad
Acknowledging the poor connection or delay in communication due to technology.


Yeah, sorry
Apologizing because of the technology's shortcomings.


Where are you? I can't really hear you
Questioning the other person's current location due to the poor call quality.


A taxi distracted, anyway you, you were saying?
Getting distracted by external factors and asking the other person to continue speaking.


Wait, uh, now they're waving me over
Interrupting the call momentarily due to an external factor.


Can I call you back? Yeah, everything's fine
Asking to end the call because of external factors but reassuring the other person.


Why am I, I don't know why
Wondering about one's emotional turmoil without a clear reason.


I probably just need sleep, it's been a busy week
Attributing one's emotional turmoil to overwork and stress.


Sorry, I've got to go
Ending the call due to external factors.


Sorry, okay, bye
Politely saying goodbye and ending the call.


This is just so unlike us
Noting how unusual it is for the two people to struggle to communicate.


Cut back to horizontalisms
Moving away from technology, which is vertical, and instead communicating horizontally, face-to-face.


If we could win just one small touch
Wishing for an opportunity to be physically together and communicate.


Contact versus telemiscommunications
Comparing face-to-face communication of contact with that of telecommunication.


Plan foiled, the sirens pass by
An outside interference foiling a plan or intended communication.


Kids screaming
Another outside interference in the background during communication.


The longest public announcement
An overlong announcement interrupting communication.


Reached check-in, finally got through
Communicating the successful crossing off an event or activity on their to-do list.


Running for a flight, shoes off
Narrating a rushed and chaotic situation.


You're calling voicemail
Trying to get in touch with someone, but reaching their voicemail instead.


In joke, group laughter
Sharing a moment of humor and laughter with others.


Closing scenes in a meeting
The last part of a meeting in which communication is ending.


Angel, angel why didn't you tell me?
Feeling surprised or betrayed by someone close.


One second, someone needs directions
Interrupting the communication due to an external factor.


Can't you see I'm on the phone?
A speaker getting frustrated with someone not recognizing the importance of their communication.


(Whoa whoa) did I tell you I loved you today?
Asking if oneself expressed love to the other person earlier.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joel Thomas Zimmerman, Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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