Mr. Telephone Man
New Edition Lyrics
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There's something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby's number
I get a click every time
Mr. Telephone Man
There's something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby's number
I get a click every time
When I dial 611 Computer Service
She said "Hello may I help you, please?"
I told her something must be wrong with my phone
'Cause my baby wouldn't hang up on me
Mr. Telephone Man
There's something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby's number I get a click every time
Mr. Telephone Man
There's something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby's number I get a click every time
She let the phone ring twenty times before she answered
Let me tell you what happened then
A minute later I got the operator
Saying "please hang up and place your call again"
Mr. Telephone man
There's something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby's number
I get a click every time
Mr. Telephone Man
Something's wrong with my line
I thought I dialed her number
But I get a click every time
Some strange man is on the telephone
He keeps telling me my baby ain't home
She got no party line
This situation's blowing my mind
Oh, I just can't take this anymore
"Please operator
See what you can do
I dialed the right number
But I still couldn't get through
Could you just check the line
Just one more time, if you can
I'm pretty sure her phone wouldn't be answered by no man"
Mr. Telephone Man
There's something wrong with my line
When I dial my baby's number I get a click every time
Mr. Telephone Man
Something's wrong with my line
I'm trying to dial her number
But I get a click every time
Must be a bad connection
I give her my love and affection
I just can't take this no more
This situation's blowing my mind (blowing my mind)
Can't get my baby on the line
I tried dialing information (Mr. Telephone Man)
I can't get no cooperation (Mr. Telephone Man)
Her sister's on the phone telling me my baby ain't at home
Come on baby, I just can't take it no more
Help me out
Please Mr. Telephone Man
Help me out
Please Mr. Telephone Man
New Edition's 1984 hit song "Mr. Telephone Man" is a plea for telephone assistance from the titular character who is assumed to be a repairman. Sung by the group, the lyrics tell of the group's frustration with their phones as they try to reach their unseen significant others, receiving only clicks or wrong numbers. The song's opening sequence serves to emphasize the frustration that comes with incessantly clicking on one's phone, dialing over and over, hoping the recipient of the call will answer. The lyrics counteract a long-held belief in the infallibility of technology, suggesting that it can, in fact, go wrong. The singer is willing to be put on hold for an extended period, trying to get the problem fixed so he can maintain connectivity with someone he genuinely loves.
Despite the initial annoyance and frustration, the song eventually becomes a hook-filled way to lead into a chorus that celebrates the human-to-human connection that happens over the phone. Despite the glitches in the line, there is no denying the fundamental importance of the person on the other end of the phone. Overall the song's message has proven to be timeless, as it speaks to the feelings of frustration that an individual feels when technological barriers interrupt human connection. This song proved to be a huge commercial hit for New Edition, further cementing the group as an R&B all-star group.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Telephone man
Addressing the phone company for their assistance
There's something wrong with my line
Something is malfunctioning with my phone connection
When I dial my baby's number
When I call my significant other
I get a click every time
The call ends abruptly, and there is no answer
She said "Hello may I help you, please?"
The customer service representative answered the call
I told her something must be wrong with my phone
I reported an issue with my phone
'Cause my baby wouldn't hang up on me
I suspect that my significant other has not deliberately disconnected the call
She let the phone ring twenty times before she answered
My significant other took a long time to answer the call
A minute later I got the operator
After a significant amount of time passed, I was transferred to the operator
Saying "please hang up and place your call again"
The operator advised me to redial the number
Some strange man is on the telephone
An unfamiliar person answered the call
He keeps telling me my baby ain't home
The strange man insists that my significant other is not available
She got no party line
My significant other does not share a phone line with anyone else
This situation's blowing my mind
I am extremely frustrated with the situation
"Please operator See what you can do
I am requesting additional help from the operator
I dialed the right number
I confirmed that I called the correct phone number
But I still couldn't get through
I was still unable to connect to the intended recipient
Could you just check the line
I am requesting a line check
Just one more time, if you can
I am asking for one more attempt to connect the call
I'm pretty sure her phone wouldn't be answered by no man
I don't believe that a man would answer my significant other's phone
Must be a bad connection
I am attributing the connection issues to a malfunctioning phone line
I give her my love and affection
I care deeply about my significant other
Can't get my baby on the line
I am unable to connect with my significant other via telephone
I tried dialing information (Mr. Telephone Man)
I attempted to call directory assistance for help
I can't get no cooperation (Mr. Telephone Man)
No one is willing to assist me with my issue
Her sister's on the phone telling me my baby ain't at home
My significant other's sister answered the call and told me that they are not available
Help me out Please Mr. Telephone Man
I am making a final plea for assistance from the phone company
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ray Erskine Jr. Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@flamingo
woweeeee
@liltrap2712
flamingo E
@myvalorantclips2255
flamgo
@finnedbuffalo2890
The og
@justme-qz8tx
e
@g0bly.550
omg flamingo listens to this song??
@danilthompson5707
The 80s wasn’t just an era it was an emotion
@carmensandiego223
This!!!!
@Sweetie_abundant_heart
❤❤❤❤
@imhereforitall9218
The 80s was a whole vibe. Down to the mall hair and acid washed jeans. In 1984 Prince not only ruled the air waves but also the hottest summer movie of the same name as the soundtrack. "Purple Rain". It was friggen electric.