The Telephone Song
Miss Saigon [Original London Cast] Lyrics
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This money's yours
Please take it all
Hey, you want more?
Kim
No, no, I don't want anything
Hey, what's wrong with you?
Kim
I've not done this before
Chris
That can't be true!
Kim
Why would I lie?
Chris
All the girls lie!
They just want to get out of here
Maybe you're not like that
But I don't know who you are
Kim
Do you want one more tale of a Vietnam girl?
Want to know I was bound to a man I don't love?
Do you want to be told how my village was burned?
Want to hear how my family was blasted away?
How I ran from the rice field and saw them in flames?
How my parents were bodies whose faces were gone?
I have had my fill of pain
I will not look back again
I would rather die
Chris
Can I see you tonight?
Kim
Well, I'll be at the club
Selling "beaucoup amour"
Chris
No, you won't
How would you like...
Kim
How would I like...?
Chris
How would you like
Living with me?
It feels good like this
So that's how we should be
So would you like?
Kim
Yes, I would like!
Chris
Okay, it's set
No more to say
Screw the Engineer
You're the one good thing
That I've found out here
The Telephone Song is a pivotal moment in the musical Miss Saigon where the male protagonist Chris invites the female protagonist Kim to his hotel while she is working as a prostitute. The song highlights the cultural clash between the two characters as they struggle to communicate and understand each other. Chris asks Kim if she wants more money, but Kim refuses as she has not done this before, and Chris questions her honesty. Kim then narrates the devastation and pain she has gone through during the Vietnam War, and how her family members were killed. The song ends with Chris asking her to live with him, and Kim accepting his offer.
One of the key themes that the song addresses is the impact of war on the lives of ordinary people. Kim's past experiences are highlighted in the song, and it is clear that she has gone through a lot of pain and suffering. Chris, on the other hand, represents the Western man who is ignorant of the horrors of the Vietnam War and is looking for pleasure and comfort in his stay in Saigon. The song also highlights the power dynamics between men and women, where Chris tries to exert control over Kim by offering her money and inviting her to stay with him.
Line by Line Meaning
This money's yours
Chris offers Kim money
Please take it all
Chris urges Kim to accept the money
Hey, you want more?
Chris asks if Kim wants more money
No, no, I don't want anything
Kim refuses the money
Hey, what's wrong with you?
Chris is puzzled by Kim's refusal
I've not done this before
Kim admits her lack of experience
That can't be true!
Chris doubts Kim's honesty
Why would I lie?
Kim challenges Chris' skepticism
All the girls lie!
Chris makes a sweeping generalization
They just want to get out of here
Chris suggests that all the girls are motivated by a desire to leave Vietnam
Maybe you're not like that
Chris allows for the possibility that Kim is different
But I don't know who you are
Chris admits his ignorance of Kim's true nature
Do you want one more tale of a Vietnam girl?
Kim offers to share her story with Chris
Want to know I was bound to a man I don't love?
Kim reveals that she had an arranged marriage
Do you want to be told how my village was burned?
Kim describes the destruction of her home
Want to hear how my family was blasted away?
Kim recounts the death of her family
How I ran from the rice field and saw them in flames?
Kim describes her flight from the burning village
How my parents were bodies whose faces were gone?
Kim details the gruesome aftermath of the attack
I have had my fill of pain
Kim expresses her weariness with suffering
I will not look back again
Kim resolves to move forward
I would rather die
Kim would rather die than relive her traumatic experiences
Can I see you tonight?
Chris asks to meet with Kim
Well, I'll be at the club Selling 'beaucoup amour'
Kim tells Chris where she will be
No, you won't
Chris contradicts Kim
How would you like...
Chris changes the subject
Living with me?
Chris proposes that he and Kim live together
It feels good like this So that's how we should be
Chris justifies his proposal
So would you like?
Chris asks for Kim's response
Yes, I would like!
Kim accepts Chris' offer
Okay, it's set No more to say
Chris finalizes the arrangement
Screw the Engineer
Chris dismisses the individual who arranged the transaction
You're the one good thing That I've found out here
Chris expresses his affection for Kim
Contributed by Evan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
paulwebbiweb
Fabulous diction. I've never understood every word of this in other versions I've heard.
Rotem Mor
CHRIS]
John, is that you, buddy? Listen to me
Do I sound diff'rent? how else could I be?
Last night I spent a whole lifetime in paradise.
Hey, tell the CO I'm taking all of my leave
We're gonna play house, oh John, it's like Christmas eve
We have sworn we won't see the sun for forty-eight hours
[JOHN at the Embassy, in the midst of chaos: files being]
[packed or burned, typewriters crated, etc.]
[JOHN]
What are you saying? Are you out of your mind?
All leaves are canceled, you could be left behind
Saigon is falling apart, and you'd better be here
Here is the news, since you've been on the moon
Cities in the boondocks are dropping like flies
Wives and civilians will be shipping out soon
Crowds around the Embassy have tears in their eyes
Thieu has resigned, the new regime may not hold
People at the place think we'll send the marines
We are sending nothing from what I've been told
Buddy, are you there? Do you know what this means?
Sure! Time to fall in love!
[CHRIS]
John, listen fast, you did not get this call
You're the one who bought the girl for me after all
"Once you're a friend, you're a friend through and through"
When you are in trouble, then I'll cover for you
[JOHN]
Not this time, the town's too hot
For one Kongai whore
Ol' buddy, I will not get you killed
[CHRIS]
She is no whore, you saw her too
She's really more, like... the April moon
[JOHN]
April fuckin' moon!!
[CHRIS]
She's been hurt, you see
Both her parents died
What else could she be?
[JOHN]
Sweet as that, and she's an orphan too!
How can a guy fight that? You got one day, not two
Then be back!
l0r3st0
Such clarity. I prefer straight melody-singing, thanks.