Telephone Song
Stevie Jackson Lyrics

Money and style and friends and work
The things that often seem important in life.

Music and sex and art and scene
The things that the singer is interested in.

Boys and girls and drugs and dreams
Other things that the singer associates with their lifestyle.

That’s you girl
The artist is talking to a particular girl who shares these interests.

There’s a lot to be said for a telephone line
The artist is reflecting on the power the telephone has to connect people.

I could call you up, I could make it so fine
The singer considers reaching out to the girl on the phone, imagining how nice it would be to talk to her.

But guilt and fear and jealousy
The singer has reservations about calling, perhaps due to insecurity or past relationship experiences.

That’s me girl
The artist acknowledges that these negative emotions are their own issue.

I carved her number on my wall
The artist has memorized the girl's phone number.

It’s not as if I need someone
The artist is not necessarily seeking a relationship, but is drawn to this particular girl.

It’s funny, she didn’t like my shirt
The singer recounts a recent interaction with the girl, where she critiqued their clothing but also flirted with them.

So she told me, then she kissed me like I’d never seen a flirt
The girl's mixed signals confuse the artist but also excite them.

I had not been courting, not for a while
The singer hasn't made an effort to pursue anyone recently.

You’d have never have known it, not by her smile
Despite their lack of active courting, the singer had developed a crush on the girl.

The coins, they’re burning a hole in my pocket
The singer has money that they could use to call the girl.

Thoughts of her, they’re burning a hole in my head
The artist is preoccupied with thoughts of the girl.

I could reach for the phone, I could flick it wide open
The artist is considering calling the girl again.

I could scroll down some number, I could wish I was dead
The singer imagines calling someone else by accident or being faced with rejection, causing them extreme embarrassment or distress.

If I treated her like she’s number one
The singer is admitting that they may not give the girl the attention or respect she deserves.

It’s not what I was thinking of
Despite their actions, the artist claims that they didn't mean to treat the girl poorly.

With an action I could be interrupting her time
The artist considers that the girl may be busy or not want to talk to them when they call.

Is she making some coffee, washing her dishes
The artist wonders what the girl is doing at that moment and imagines possible scenarios.

Playing her records, dreaming her wishes
The singer is acknowledging that the girl has her own interests and life outside of him.

Now I’m running with my group, I’m feeling alright
The artist is with friends and generally enjoying themselves, but still thinking of the girl.

Being chased by the rain like A Hard Day’s Night
The singer is evoking a Beatles song to describe the rainy and chaotic atmosphere they're in.

I pass by the ‘phone I wonder if she’s home
The singer is still considering calling the girl, but is unsure if she is available.

She’s so cool, gotta have her, think I’ll leave her alone
The singer is attracted to the girl and wants to pursue her, but is hesitant due to their own insecurities and fears of rejection.