Call Me
Sherman Allan Lyrics
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Get me Bobby Kennedy
Then call Dave Ben-Gurion, too
Then tell Carol Baker I'm home now
Tell her Mastroianni sends love from Rome now
Then get Hank Mancini and tell him
Fred Fellini is waiting
Order Scotch and ice and then
Ring up Barbra Streisand and then
Set up a conference call
With Sammy Davis and Charles de Gaulle
Call me Walter Cronkite
And tell him Nancy Dickerson said
That David Brinkley was wrong
Then get Conrad Hilton in Bombay
Tell him tuesday night I want peaches flambe
Call Chief Justice Warren
And tell him Sophie Loren is worried
Is she married or not?
Then call Arthur Schlesinger
No, no, send a messenger
With the saddest news of the bunch
Tell Lady Bird I'll be late for lunch
Dial up Liberace
And, while up, Joe Valachi
And tell him Lucky sends his regards
Find out where Onassis' barge is
Call him, ship-to-shore, and reverse the charges
Locate Melvin Belli
And tell Mel when I fell I was scratched
By Princess Margaret's rose
Then call Lollabrigida
This week she's in Wichita
And then, when you reach Cary Grant
Tell him I'd love to, but I just can't
The lyrics of Sherman Allan's song "Call Me" are essentially a series of random and humorous instructions to make phone calls to a variety of famous figures. The singer asks for people ranging from political leaders like Bobby Kennedy and Charles de Gaulle to celebrities like Carol Baker and Cary Grant. The song is essentially a satire of the idea of being important enough to be surrounded by a team of assistants always making calls and arranging things for you.
At the same time, the song is also a commentary on the power of celebrity and fame, and how it can be used to get things done. By dropping famous names and making grand requests, the singer is able to evoke a sense of importance and authority, even if they are just a regular person. The idea of using fame as a currency is a recurring theme in popular culture, and this song is a clever take on it.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me Efrem Zimbalist,
Contact me like you would Efrem - quickly and efficiently.
Get me Bobby Kennedy,
Fetch Robert Kennedy for me.
Then call Dave Ben-Gurion, too.
Also reach out to David Ben-Gurion to join in.
Then tell Carol Baker I'm home, now;
Inform Carol Baker that I have returned.
Tell her Mastroianni sends love from Rome now.
Mastroianni would like to express his affection, from Rome.
Then get Hank Mancini
Retrieve Hank Mancini.
And tell him Fred Fellini is waiting;
Let Hank Mancini know that Fred Fellini is expecting him.
Where the heck is the song?
Where is the music we were looking for?
Order Scotch and ice and then
Purchase Scotch and ice and then...
Ring up Barbra Streisand and
Call Barbra Streisand and...
Then set up a conference call
Make arrangements for a conference call...
With Sammy Davis and Charles de Gaulle.
Include Sammy Davis and Charles de Gaulle in the conference call.
Call me Walter Cronkite
Use my name as if it's Walter Cronkite's.
And tell him Nancy Dickerson said
Inform Walter Cronkite that Nancy Dickerson stated...
That David Brinkley was wrong.
David Brinkley was mistaken.
Then get Conrad Hilton in Bombay;
Retrieve Conrad Hilton in Bombay.
Tell him Tuesday night I want peaches flambe.
Inform Conrad Hilton that I desire peaches flambe on Tuesday night.
Call Chief Justice Warren
Contact Chief Justice Warren.
And tell him Sophie Loren is worried;
Inform him that Sophie Loren is concerned...
Is she married or not?
Whether or not she is married is of interest.
Then call Arthur Schlesinger;
Next, phone Arthur Schlesinger.
No, no, send a messenger
Actually, it would be better to send a message...
With the saddest news of the bunch:
Containing the most sorrowful news in the group:
Tell Lady Bird I'll be late for lunch.
Inform Lady Bird that I will be delaying lunch.
Dial up Liberace
Dial Liberace's number.
And, while up, Joe Valachi
While I'm at it, contact Joe Valachi.
And tell him Lucky sends his regards.
Let him know that Lucky extends his greetings.
Find out where Onassis' barge is;
Discover the whereabouts of Onassis' barge.
Call him, ship-to-shore, and reverse the charges.
Call him on the radio, and have him pay for the call.
Locate Melvin Belli
Find Melvin Belli.
And tell Mel One-Eye Felli was scratched
Inform Mel that One-Eye Felli got a scratch...
By Princess Margaret's rose.
...from Princess Margaret's rose bush.
Then call Lollabrigida,
Next up, call Lollabrigida.
This week she's in Wichita,
She's in Wichita this week.
And then, when you reach Cary Grant,
And then, when you get in touch with Cary Grant...
Tell him I'd love to, but I just can't.
Let him know that I wish I could, but I simply cannot comply.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind