Telephone
Shad Lyrics

Try to call again
Repeating a line, trying to make a call to someone who doesn't answer.

Try to call again
Repeating a line, trying to make a call to someone who doesn't answer.

Try to call again
Repeating a line, trying to make a call to someone who doesn't answer.

I've been called a bad boyfriend, and even worse Ex
People have called the artist, Shad, a bad boyfriend and even worse ex-partner.

Told put God first and her next
Someone told Shad to prioritize God over his girlfriend.

She's the only girl, like Snow White or Smurfette
The girl Shad is seeing is unique and one-of-a-kind, like Snow White or Smurfette.

She's not, I am dating nobody, nobody's perfect
Shad is not dating anyone, and acknowledges that no one is perfect.

And there's no sure bets, just courage and first steps
Shad knows that nothing is guaranteed, but believes in taking risks and making the first move.

We don't talk, got hang-ups and one-word texts
Shad and his girlfriend don't communicate well, and their interactions are strained.

Lessons learned on hurt, discipline
Shad has learned valuable lessons from past pain and has developed discipline.

And repair, still need a lot of work, like Michigan
Shad acknowledges that he still needs improvement, like the state of Michigan.

State improves when my Pistons win
Shad feels better when his favorite basketball team, the Detroit Pistons, win.

Or when I see my sis again
Shad feels better when he spends time with his sister.

With some friends I call when I'm gettin' bent
Shad reaches out to friends when he needs support while drinking.

Outta shape over, .. wait, fix that
Shad corrects himself for saying 'outta shape' and changes it to 'upset' or 'frustrated.'

Fit, but no six-pack,
Shad is in good physical shape, but doesn't have a six-pack of abs.

'Cause I won't do sit-ups of give up Big Macs
Shad enjoys eating fast food and won't give it up to get a six-pack.

With Shad, you always get a mixed bag
Shad's personality is varied and you never know what you'll get.

Sadness and joy, wins and mishaps
Shad experiences a range of emotions, from happiness to sadness, and has both successes and failures.

Healed wounds, and picked scabs
Shad has both healed emotional wounds and dwelled on past pain.

More ups and downs than a Six Flags
Shad's life has had many highs and lows, like a rollercoaster at Six Flags amusement park.

Music with a message I lacked after the click, don't..
Shad's music didn't have a strong message in the past, but he's improved since then.

I said, don't you go
Shad doesn't want his girlfriend to hang up the phone.

You hate talking on the phone
Shad's girlfriend doesn't enjoy talking on the phone.

You're too far, way too close to home
Shad's girlfriend is physically far away, but emotionally close to him.

She's so off the hook
Shad's girlfriend is free-spirited and independent.

But when I'm lettin' go of the telephone
When Shad hangs up the phone, his girlfriend gets upset.

She goes off the wall, like a hella old centerfold
When upset, Shad's girlfriend goes crazy, like an old centerfold poster.

Should've left the cell at home
Shad regrets bringing his phone with him.

We're breaking up, can't hear what she's saying, but I get the tone
Shad and his girlfriend are breaking up and it's difficult to hear each other over the phone, but he understands her tone of voice.

Kna'mean? Nah, I've never known
Shad doesn't understand his girlfriend's behavior and is confused.

Say you mean well, then how come I'm left alone
Shad's girlfriend says she cares, but he still feels alone.

When I need help this female won't take my calls
When Shad needs help, his girlfriend won't answer the phone.

It's like pool, and that's her cue to break my balls
Shad's girlfriend is like a pool player, with the cue stick ready to break the balls, or make things worse for him.

The games we play, replay the same each day
Shad and his girlfriend play the same games in their relationship, with no changes or improvements.

Phone-tag, hide-and-seek with the P.D.A.
Shad and his girlfriend play phone tag and hide-and-seek with public displays of affection.

Off, I'm on course, like the PGA
Shad is focused and determined in his life, like a professional golfer on the course.

Towards the deep sea cave
Shad is heading towards a deep, dark place in his mind or heart.

Where my treasure is kept
Shad has valuable possessions or emotions that he keeps hidden deep inside himself.

Buried like death in depths where I keep me safe
Shad keeps his emotions buried deep inside himself, where he feels safe, but also feels like he's distancing himself from those around him.

It's just like, ay, keep in touch
Shad tries to keep in touch with people.

Not Close like Glenn, just close enough
Shad isn't very close to people, but is close enough to maintain communication.

But the attachment's still there, just never opened up
Shad feels attached to people, but never fully opens up to them.

And the bill from my cell is high C-Notes, Wynton Marsalis
Shad's phone bill is very expensive, like the high notes played by jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.

Man, why tellers gotta be so selfish, helpless
Shad is frustrated with bank tellers being unhelpful and uncaring.

Ran outta luck, ran outta minutes on my solo, before I could finish
Shad's luck ran out and his phone call ended before he could finish what he was saying on his own.

Don't end this while I'm roaming on the road
Shad doesn't want his phone call to end while he's traveling and doesn't have access to another phone.

Dough low, woken up with a special ring like Frodo
Shad is running low on money and is concerned, but also wakes up to a special phone call like Frodo the hobbit from Lord of the Rings.

I get the picture, don't upload the photo
Shad understands the situation and doesn't want to make it worse by sharing photos or information on social media.

I can see you, bold pixels in my mind load in slow-mo
Shad can picture his girlfriend in his mind's eye, like bold pixels in a video, loading in slow motion.

T Lo on the mix, just switch to phono
Shad's friend T Lo is mixing music and changes to a record player to continue the music.

Grown folks, we be pinnin' hopes but the phone's broke
Adults have hope and aspirations, but their phone is broken, preventing them from communicating with others.

Disconnected, just a second
Shad and his friend are temporarily disconnected on the phone, but it's not a big deal.

I'm cuttin' out, T Lo, cut the records
Shad's phone connection is poor and he's losing the call. His friend T Lo stops the music recording to listen and understand what Shad is trying to say.

Please
Asking the listener to try to call again.

Try to call again
Urging the listener to try to call again.

Please
Asking the listener to try to call again.

Try to call again
Urging the listener to try to call again.

We're sorry, your call did not go through
A pre-recorded message informing the caller that their call was not successful.