Paramore, as a quartet, released their debut studio album, All We Know Is Falling, in 2005. The band rose to prominence in 2007 after the release of the hit single Misery Business from their second studio album Riot!. Crushcrushcrush and That's What You Get were released as the following singles experiencing commercial success. The band was nominated for "Best New Artist" at the 2008 Grammy Awards. The band announced the official line-up addition of Taylor York in June 2009 prior to the release of Brand New Eyes due later the same year. Josh Farro (guitar) and his brother Zac Farro left the band the following year, resulting in Paramore to continue as a trio.
From 2013 to 2014, Paramore released several singles from the self-titled album, including the singles Still Into You and Ain't It Fun. The latter became the band's highest-peaking single as well as their first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned the band their first Grammy award for "Best Rock Song" the following year. At the end of 2015, it was reported Jeremy Davis (bass guitar) left the band.
In 2017, Zac Farro officially rejoined the band, prior to the release of their fifth studio album, "After Laughter".
Long Distance Call
Paramore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
26.10 was the price to pay
A messed up kid with no ideals at all
I thought those 26.10 I shouldn't give'em away
I remember this young guy died and I took his part
He got far too many stitches on his pretty face
Long time to see but I always thought us two would be serious
I'm far gone but your long distance call
And your capital letters keep me asking for more
It's never been like that
It's never been like that
I'm far gone but your long distance call
And your capital letters keep me asking for more
Where to go I had no idea about it
Most of the people do, there're only doing just fine
I don't wanna stay in place no more, see
Ain't doing well well well, I am only doing just fine
Long time no see, long time no say
Got little to tell, I don't say much but I might
Something always told me us two would be serious
I am looking around town, thinking the same as you
I'm far gone but your long distance call
And your capital letters keep me asking for more
It's never been like that
It's never been like that
I'm far gone but your long distance call
And your capital letters keep me asking for more
Long time no see... Long time no say...
The lyrics of Paramore's song "Long Distance Call" paint a picture of a restless and uncertain narrator who feels lost and disconnected from the world around them. The opening lines suggest the singer is at a crossroads in their life and is unsure of their next move. They mention a price of 26.10 that they feel they shouldn't give away, suggesting that they are struggling financially or perhaps emotionally.
The following lines describe a memory of the singer taking on the role of another person, someone who had sustained injuries to their face. The singer had hoped that they and this person might have a serious connection, but the lines "Long time to see but I always thought us two would be serious" suggest that this connection never materialized. The singer continues to feel disconnected from others, stating that they are only "doing just fine" rather than thriving.
The chorus repeats the title phrase, "long distance call," which could be interpreted literally as a phone call from far away, or metaphorically as a feeling of distance and separation from others. The line "your capital letters keep me asking for more" suggests that the singer is yearning for something more substantial from the person on the other end of the line.
Overall, the lyrics portray a sense of longing and aimlessness, with the singer searching for a sense of purpose and connection in their life. The repeated references to the passage of time ("long time to see," "long time no say") suggest a nostalgia for some undefined past experience or relationship that the singer is still trying to understand.
Line by Line Meaning
Where to go I had no idea
I didn't know what to do or where to go
26.10 was the price to pay
I thought it would cost me more than just money to get out of this situation
A messed up kid with no ideals at all
I was lost, with no direction or values to guide me
I thought those 26.10 I shouldn't give'em away
I didn't want to waste my money on something that might not work out
I remember this young guy died and I took his part
I stepped in to help when someone else couldn't do it anymore
He got far too many stitches on his pretty face
He was hurt badly and needed a lot of medical attention
Long time to see but I always thought us two would be serious
I didn't see this person very often, but I always thought we had a special connection
I was looking around town, thinking the same as you
I wondered if this person was thinking about me too
I'm far gone but your long distance call
I'm far away, but your phone call brings me closer to you
And your capital letters keep me asking for more
Your messages are so exciting and intriguing that I can't help but want more
It's never been like that
I've never felt this way before
Where to go I had no idea about it
I still don't know what to do or where to go
Most of the people do, there're only doing just fine
Most people seem to have it all figured out, but I'm just getting by
I don't wanna stay in place no more, see
I'm tired of feeling stuck and want to move forward
Ain't doing well well well, I am only doing just fine
I may not be thriving, but I'm managing to get through each day
Long time no see, long time no say
It's been a while since we've seen or talked to each other
Got little to tell, I don't say much but I might
I don't have much to say, but I'm willing to listen or share if needed
Something always told me us two would be serious
I always had a feeling that there was something special between us
I am looking around town, thinking the same as you
I wonder if this person is also looking around, thinking of me
Contributed by Bentley D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.