Answering Machine
Rupert Holmes Lyrics

A little while ago I went and placed a call
The singer called a woman he was interested in and wanted to discuss the possibility of getting married.

To tell this girl I know that she could have it all
He wanted to assure the woman that he was serious and that she could have everything she wanted in a relationship.

The wedding, the ring, the whole darn thing, I was willing to tie the knot
The singer was willing to commit to marriage and provide everything that usually comes with it, including a wedding and a ring.

So I called her up, and this is the answer I got:
When the woman didn't answer the phone, the artist heard her answering machine message.

I'm so sorry you have just reached my answering machine,
The woman's answering machine message begins, apologizing for not being available to answer the call.

I'm not in at present, I'm sure you know the whole routine.
The woman is not available to answer the phone right now and assumes the singer is familiar with leaving a message on an answering machine.

Leave your name and number, and I'll try to get back to you;
The woman's message instructs the singer to leave his contact information and promises to return his call.

You have 30 seconds to talk to me before you're through.
The answering machine message gives the artist a time limit of 30 seconds to leave his message.

Baby let's go get married, I need to hear you're mine.
The artist uses his message to express his desire to marry the woman and confirm that she is interested in him.

I am hanging on, I am hanging on, I am hanging on this line.
The artist is eagerly waiting for the woman to call him back and is anxiously anticipating her answer.

And if I can leave one message before you go to bed,
The singer is trying to communicate with the woman before she goes to sleep.

I would say to you...:
The artist wants to tell the woman his thoughts and feelings, but he gets cut off before he can finish his sentence.

And the phone went dead.
The singer's message ended abruptly, indicating that the woman did not pick up the phone or the call was disconnected.

So I stepped out to buy some dog food for the cat.
The singer left his home briefly to pick up pet food.

Of course she called about three minutes after that.
Shortly after the singer left, the woman called him back.

Would she be my wife and share my life? Well of course you can write the Plot,
The artist wanted to know if the woman was interested in marrying him and sharing a life together. However, the story's ending is still unknown.

Cause she called me up, and this is the answer she got:
The woman called the artist back, but the situation is not yet resolved.

Baby I got your message, I am answering your call.
The woman acknowledges receiving the singer's message and returns his phone call.

I have thought it out, I have thought it out, and I think that, all-in-all
She has considered the possibility of marrying the singer and has come to her own conclusion about what she wants.

If you ask if we can marry, and make it for all time,
The artist must have asked the woman if she wanted to get married and have a lifetime commitment.

Then my answer is,
The woman is about to give her answer and reveal whether or not she wants to marry the artist.

And the phone went,
The story leaves us on a cliffhanger, as the ending of the woman's answer is unknown.