Though they don't necessarily adhere to one specific genre, Red Vox takes inspiration from a number of classic and contemporary rock bands. Lead singer and songwriter, Vinny, has said that bands like Radiohead, Pixies, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, The Cars, Wilco, MGMT, The Clash, Tame Impala, Queens of the Stone Age and Talking Heads were big influences. Some consider the music psychedelic, though not it's exclusively so. According to Vinny, the name of the band came from a dream. This became a sort of theme for Red Vox, as multiple songs have been claimed to originate from dreams.
Telephone
Red Vox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but you couldn't spit it out
I heard you sounding like a dial tone,
Marbles in your mouth
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without
And you couldn't see the vision, head all in the clouds
I caught you ringing on that telephone, but you couldn't spit it out
I caught you saying that you're in control,
but your wheels are spinning out
And now I'm ringing on your telephone,
but you can't hear me shout
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without
And you couldn't see the vision, head all in the clouds
I caught you ringing on that telephone, but you couldn't spit it out
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without
And you couldn't see the vision, head all in the clouds
I caught you ringing on the telephone, but you couldn't spit it out
Remember that funny feeling I'm gonna live without
The lyrics to Red Vox's song "Telephone" describe a situation in which the singer catches someone on the other end of the phone line struggling to communicate something important. The person on the phone seems unable to express themselves clearly, murmuring and stuttering like a malfunctioning machine. The singer recalls the feeling of being unable to let go of something despite knowing it might not be good for them, and the way this can cloud our perceptions and hinder our ability to articulate ourselves. The second verse describes a sort of role reversal, where the singer is now the one reaching out desperately to the person on the other end of the phone, but they refuse to listen to what's being said. The final refrain reiterates the notion that the "funny feeling" of being stuck in a loop of self-destructive behavior is not something to be romanticized, but rather something to be overcome.
Overall, "Telephone" explores themes of communication breakdown and self-sabotage. The lyrics suggest that sometimes, we struggle to say what we mean, even when it's important, and that this can prevent us from forming authentic connections with others. The mentions of feeling trapped and unable to move forward can be interpreted as metaphors for various emotional and psychological states that prevent us from experiencing our lives to the fullest. The repetition of the phrase "remember that funny feeling" acts as a sort of warning, calling attention to the ways in which we can become complacent in our self-destructive patterns of behavior, and urging us to take ownership of our lives and find a way to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I caught you ringing on the telephone, but you couldn't spit it out
I discovered you were trying to say something to me over the phone, but for some reason, you couldn't articulate your message clearly.
I heard you sounding like a dial tone, Marbles in your mouth
I could barely make out what you were saying, as you sounded like a buzzing dial tone while struggling to speak.
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without And you couldn't see the vision, head all in the clouds
You had this strong desire or attraction to something, but it was clouding your judgment and making it difficult for you to be clear-headed.
I caught you saying that you're in control, but your wheels are spinning out And now I'm ringing on your telephone, but you can't hear me shout
You were under the guise of being in charge of a situation, but in reality, things were quickly spiraling out of control. I am now attempting to reach you, but you are not listening to what I have to say.
Remember that funny feeling I'm gonna live without
I am going to forget about that feeling you were obsessing over and move on from it.
Contributed by Kaelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@FighBat
lyrics
I caught you ringing on the telephone,
but you couldn't spit it out
I heard you sounding like a dial tone,
Marbles in your mouth
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without
And you couldn't see the vision, head all in the clouds
I caught you ringing on that telephone, but you couldn't spit it out
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without
I caught you saying that you're in control,
but your wheels are spinning out
And now I'm ringing on your telephone,
but you can't hear me shout
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without
And you couldn't see the vision, head all in the clouds
I caught you ringing on that telephone, but you couldn't spit it out
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without
Remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without
And you couldn't see the vision, head all in the clouds
I caught you ringing on the telephone, but you couldn't spit it out
Remember that funny feeling I'm gonna live without
lyrics taken from the bandcamp
@TehVulpez
Vinny said this song is about drug addiction, but I still like my initial interpretation of a romantic crush that someone doesn't want to admit
@TehVulpez
@GENESIS CUETO Yeah he gave his explanation in a music q&a stream, which is up on fullsauce
@420Impeller
I just learned of the actual meaning. It's actually mind blowing for me. I've listened to this song for 6 years with the interpretation it was about a cheating girlfriend. Nope, just some guy who's high.
@r-valer4027
@@TehVulpezfor me it's about someone that couldn't move on lol, probably because I relate.
@Takimeko
I always took it as a relationship that had gone sour, but one of the party simply couldn't bear themself to admit things couldn't work out. The "remember that funny feeling you couldn't live without" line I thought was an allusion that it was purely a shallow, sexually-focused relationship.
@marcomorgen300
This album deserves more praise than what it gets tbh
@microwavedonut6412
Most underrated band ever
@lqvi
THIS IS THE MOST UNDERRATED SONG IVE EVER HEARD IT LITERALLY GIVES ME PHYSICAL CHILLS HOLY COW
@foxwithguns
as opposed to non-physical chills
@vernieinhell
this song brings back amazing, amazing memories from last summer. back when my girlfriend came from Canada and we had a blast, we played this album non-stop. good times.