Where Are You Calling From
Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to … Read Full Bio ↴Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to the mainstream-sounding, garage/arena rock of post-Ten Pearl Jam, but the group insists that their refusal to alienate themselves from the rest of the world makes them different. Instead, Seven Mary Three offer songs concerning self-discovery and true outsiders isolated from society. Based in Virginia (where the bandmates attended the College of William and Mary), Seven Mary Three signed to the Mammoth label after releasing a self-produced album, Churn, in 1994. The album -- particularly its gritty lead single, "Cumbersome" -- generated a healthy buzz in Florida, and radio stations in Orlando began devoting significant airtime to the band. Seven Mary Three relocated to the Orlando area and re-recorded their old songs, which were packaged alongside two new cuts to round out the band's proper debut, 1995's American Standard. With "Cumbersome" enjoying national success, the album went platinum and won the group a contract with Atlantic Records. Rock Crown followed in 1997, and a year later Seven Mary Three returned with their third LP, Orange Ave. Neither record enjoyed as much recognition as American Standard, but the band continued to release albums into the following decade, issuing The Economy of Sound in 2001 and Dis/Location three years later. Seven Mary Three signed with New York's Icon Records in late 2007, and the following year saw the release of their sixth effort, DAY&NIGHTDRIVING. Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Where Are You Calling From
Seven Mary Three Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here beats the black heart of my rancor
The speed of life can dull your nerve
I beat no drum for anything anymore
Might have more than I deserve

The golden age of being amused
Has turned into the modern life and times of being confused
And I feel it too
When I'm alone in my room
Waiting for that light to blink
The little song I miss
There's a ghost there singing

I saw somebody jump the turnstile at the station
He barely made the doors and took a seat next to a stranger
I saw her eyes was as she brushed his body passing in the aisle
And you said where are you calling from tonight?

I don't dismiss it that I need it
To disappear to something in loud
A few new faces fill the spaces with a river of names
And all the names just filter out

This work can occupy my mind
But it won't convince my body that I've been satisfied
And 1'm most alive and I'm most like myself in my dreams
Your eyes connect the mis-remembered me

I saw somebody jump the turnstile at the station
Barely made the doors and took a seat next to a stranger
I saw her eyes as she brushed his body passing in the aisle
And I said where are you calling from tonight?





And when are you coming home?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Where Are You Calling From?" by Seven Mary Three, depict a feeling of disconnection from the modern world. The song begins with the singer confessing the bitterness in his heart, which he sees as a result of desensitization from the pace and intensity of life. He implies that the habit of staying "plugged in" comes at the cost of feeling deeply. Therefore, he no longer drums up enthusiasm for anything because he feels like his entitlements surpass his effort, which ultimately rubs him the wrong way.


The chorus accentuates this feeling of being lost and disconnected. The lyrical shift from being amused to confused highlights the complexity of the modern world. The phrase "When I'm alone in my room, waiting for that light to blink, the little song I miss, there's a ghost there singing," epitomizes the search for meaning amidst the chaos. The suggestion of the presence of a ghost serves to validate the feeling of disconnectedness that the song tries to convey.


The second verse captures a sense of alienation as the singer describes the experience of watching someone jump the turnstile at a station. The scene which portrays a nonchalant attitude by both parties towards the action shows how we can take things for granted in today's world. He inquires about the stranger's origin and destination to understand the journey that led to that point. This lyric intertwines with the theme of disconnection that is the song's focus. The final question, "When are you coming home?" suggests that the song's overall emotion is longing for connection.


Line by Line Meaning

Here beats the black heart of my rancor
My deep-seated bitterness still persists


The speed of life can dull your nerve
Living in fast-paced world can sometimes numb your emotions


I beat no drum for anything anymore
I have no enthusiasm left for anything


Might have more than I deserve
I may have more than what I am worthy of


The golden age of being amused
The time when I used to find joy in simple things


Has turned into the modern life and times of being confused
Nowadays, everything seems more complex and perplexing


And I feel it too
I'm not immune to this feeling either


When I'm alone in my room
I reflect on these thoughts when I'm by myself


Waiting for that light to blink
Waiting for a sign or indication of something


The little song I miss
I long for the things that used to make me happy


There's a ghost there singing
I feel a haunting presence of the past


I saw somebody jump the turnstile at the station
I witnessed someone cheating the system to get on the train


He barely made the doors and took a seat next to a stranger
He was barely able to catch the train and sat next to someone he didn't know


I saw her eyes was as she brushed his body passing in the aisle
I noticed the woman's reaction when she accidentally touched the man next to her


And you said where are you calling from tonight?
You asked the stranger where he was headed


I don't dismiss it that I need it
I don't deny that I need something more


To disappear to something in loud
I need to escape into something more exciting


A few new faces fill the spaces with a river of names
I meet new people with unfamiliar names


And all the names just filter out
I forget their names easily


This work can occupy my mind
My work can keep me busy mentally


But it won't convince my body that I've been satisfied
My work doesn't make me feel content


And 1'm most alive and I'm most like myself in my dreams
I feel most vibrant and true to myself in my dreams


Your eyes connect the mis-remembered me
Your gaze helps me recall the person I used to be


And when are you coming home?
I'm eagerly awaiting your return




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

rataz25

Great work Scott. Love seeing all my old friends in the crowd. So many great memories.

Neil Crane

I love these series of songs from the Social!

Michael Provenano

DEEP CUT!!!

Blane Chandler

GREAT STUFF!!!!!!!

Michael Provenano

7M3 is my TOP 10 BANDS OF ALL TIME!!!! THATS RIGHT YOU READ THAT RIGHT!!! So fuckin underated,

MJrock441

Fuck Me, that was awesome!

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