1) synth-pop duo
2) Italian… Read Full Bio ↴Rent is the name of more than one artist.
1) synth-pop duo
2) Italian post-punk
It may also be an incorrect artist tag for a soundtrack by Jonathan Larson. If so, please fix your tags. The easiest way is to use MusicBrainz Picard. Thank you.
1) Rent was a Synth-Pop duo from England. The members were Clayton Littlewood and Robert Brown. They released at least one CD EP called "I Love To Be Queer". The title song was featured on Queer Music Heritage's radio show in January 2005 http://www.queermusicheritage.us/jan2005.html
Voice Mail
Rent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Speak" ... ("Beeeep!")
Mom:
That was a very loud beep
I don't even know if this is working
Mark - Mark - are you there
Are you screening your calls -
We wanted to call and say we love you
And we'll miss you tomorrow
Cindy and the kids are here - send their love
Oh, I hope you like the hot plate
Just don't leave it on dear
When you leave the house
Oh and Mark
We're sorry to hear that Maureen dumped you
I say c'est la vie
So let her be a lesbian
There are other fishies in the sea
... Love Mom
This song 'Voice Mail' from Rent is a beautifully composed tribute to the communication lines that sometimes get lost in our lives. The song begins with Roger and Mark's outgoing message followed by a noisy beep sound, and then Roger's mom's voice appears on the machine. She seems unsure of whether the message will actually work or not, but goes on to convey her feelings. She sends love from Cindy and the kids and apologizes for Maureen dumping Mark, saying that there are other fish in the sea. She reminds Mark not to leave the hot plate on while concluding her message by expressing her love for him.
The lyrics of this song showcase emotions and the importance of communication in all scenarios of our lives. The mother's message in 'Voice Mail' highlights the idea of keeping in touch with others, irrespective of distance and time. The song represents modern-day communication, conveying a message that our messages do get lost and sidelined, becoming a voice mail that captures our sentiment, which is released at the end.
Line by Line Meaning
That was a very loud beep
I just heard a loud noise indicating that I can now leave my message
I don't even know if this is working
I am unsure if my message is being recorded properly
Mark - Mark - are you there
I am trying to confirm if the person I am trying to reach is available
Are you screening your calls -
I am suspicious that my call is being ignored or declined
It's mom
I am identifying myself as the caller
We wanted to call and say we love you
I am conveying a message of love and affection
And we'll miss you tomorrow
I wanted to express my sadness of not being able to see you tomorrow
Cindy and the kids are here - send their love
I am sharing sentiments of others who love and miss you
Oh, I hope you like the hot plate
I am asking for confirmation that the gift I gave will be appreciated
Just don't leave it on dear
I am giving a friendly reminder to be careful when using the gift
When you leave the house
I am implying that the receiver of the message will use the item at home
Oh and Mark
I am addressing the specific person I am trying to reach
We're sorry to hear that Maureen dumped you
I sympathize with you on your recent breakup
I say c'est la vie
I believe that everything happens for a reason and people should move on from setbacks
So let her be a lesbian
I am suggesting that one should accept others regardless of their sexual orientation
There are other fishies in the sea
I am giving encouragement that there are other potential partners out there
... Love Mom
I am expressing my love and care for my child
Contributed by Liliana D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mindofamango
I almost have a heart attack everyday trying to sing every part at the same time
EllieC
You know, the fact we never see Maureen or Angel's parents in this show makes me really sad. Like, I get the impression both are either absent or dead. Collins I figure are more likely dead because I always assumed he was older. I don' t know; it's just interesting how it works out for the characters.
John Adams?!
I don’t think he’s that old it’s just he’s a grown grown man like in his 30s you know. he’s not that young anymore so his parents don’t check up on him that often
Andrew G
Chloe Bohannan I dont think that's implied at all. I dont recall that ever being implied. I figured him saying that in You'll See was evidence of being quite open about his being gay. Its just that the main characters don't care if he's gay or not so they never make a big deal of it or mention it. They dont even do that with Maureen and Joanne except for that one part of Tune-Up #2 but that mostly because of Benny's assumptions of her being with another guy, not another woman. And even he doesnt really react much when they actually tell him her name. Basically nobody save for Mark's mother in one voicemail and the pastor with one line makes a big deal over anyone being gay and thats kinda the point. Its not really supposed to be a big deal. Having a coming out thing would just kinda ruin that. So it really doesn't even thematically make sense for that lyric to be a coming out thing.
Andrew G
I think Collins isn't much older than Mark or Roger. At most I think he's in his 30s. Given the time period, it's very possible that Collins' parents just simply are absent from his life because he's gay. Same thing could easily be the case with Angel, who is a double whammy given how he often dresses femininely. This is the late 80s we're talking about. Homophobia was still very present and parents were often not supportive of what they saw as their children's "choices", it's just not portrayed in the musical that much apart from when the pastor throws Collins out for not having the money to pay for Angel's funeral and burial saying "Off the premises, queer."
Phoenix Johnson
I was just casted as Mimi’s mom...her Spanish motif is now burned in my mind from listening to this just once 😂👍
Sean Szolek-Van Valkenburgh
0:45 🙌🏼 The dissonance in this chord combined with the audible overtones gave me CHILLS
Kathryn Loudon
I was mark's mom when I was in high school and listened to this exact video to help prep and now however many years later this video popped up as suggested. Good job, youtube.
MissyFoxx
This only works in music. if four people talk at the same time it's just noise... only music can do this
Rain Andrade
I get to play Mimi's mom in our schools production of Rent so ive been listening to this non stop