Alarm Call
The Correspondents Lyrics


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Where have you gone? I am calling on you
Your alarm call′s on and I'm coming to your rescue
I know exactly what to do
I make the call and sit by you
Check your heartbeat against mine
And mop your brow from time to time

Where have you gone? I am calling on you
Your alarm call′s on and I'm coming to your rescue
When I'm the person by your side
I′m your mentor, I′m your guide
Upon me you can rely
When you're high and when you′re dry

The irony is that my recovery is always slower than yours
You're back on your feet in no time when I′m left floored
Haunted by the sound of your alarm call
Living in fear of your next fall

Where have you gone? I am calling on you
Your alarm call's on and I′m coming to your rescue
I know exactly what to do
I make the call and sit by you
Check your heartbeat against mine
But there's no trace of it this time

Where have you gone? I am calling on you
My siren's on and there′s so many things that I need you to do

I never asked when you were here
Because it seemed so crystal clear
That it was you who needed me
That was the way it had to be

Where have you gone? I am calling on you!
My siren′s on and there's so many things that I need you to do
Be my mentor, be my guide
Show me when to run and where to hide
I know you would′ve known just what to do
With all the things that life could throw at you

My siren will remain on for a while
Waiting soundproof by a timid little smile
I'm still haunted by your alarm call
Without the fear of your next fall

Where have you gone? I am calling on you
My siren′s on and there's so many things that I need you to do!
So many moods that you could change
So many thoughts you′d rearrange




So many rules I know you'd bend
So all good things will find their end...

Overall Meaning

The Correspondents' song Alarm Call is a reflection on a relationship between the singer and a person who seems to be struggling with some kind of issue, perhaps addiction or mental illness, that requires the singer's intervention. The lyrics speak of the singer's role as a caretaker, always ready to come to this person's aid when their "alarm call" goes off. The alarm call may refer to a literal alarm or warning signal, or it may represent some kind of crisis point or moment of need for this person.


Despite the singer's willingness to be there for this person, the lyrics suggest that the relationship is uneven and perhaps even codependent. The singer admits that their own "recovery is always slower" than the other person's, and they are "haunted by the sound" of the alarm call. At the same time, the singer seems to need the other person just as much, if not more, than the other person needs them. They ask the person to be their mentor and guide, showing them when to "run and where to hide" and changing their mood and thoughts.


The song overall is a plea for help, self-awareness, and mutual support in a troubled relationship. It reminds listeners that even the strongest caretakers need care sometimes, and that there can be a fine line between helping someone and enabling them.


Line by Line Meaning

Where have you gone? I am calling on you
I can't find you and I need your help


Your alarm call′s on and I'm coming to your rescue
I received your signal for help and I'm here to save you


I know exactly what to do
I am prepared and capable to handle this situation


I make the call and sit by you
I have called for assistance and I am accompanying you


Check your heartbeat against mine
I am comparing our heart rates to monitor your health


And mop your brow from time to time
I am wiping your forehead occasionally to keep you comfortable


When I'm the person by your side
When I am here with you


I'm your mentor, I'm your guide
I will provide guidance and support to help you through this


Upon me you can rely
You can trust me to be dependable and reliable


When you're high and when you're dry
I will be there for you in good times and bad


The irony is that my recovery is always slower than yours
It is ironic that I take longer to recover than you, despite being the one who helps you


You're back on your feet in no time when I'm left floored
You recover quickly while I struggle to do so


Haunted by the sound of your alarm call
I am troubled by the reminder of your distress and need for help


Living in fear of your next fall
I am afraid that you may have another accident or setback


But there's no trace of it this time
I can't find any sign of your distress now


My siren's on and there's so many things that I need you to do
I am sounding my own alarm and I require your assistance


I never asked when you were here
I never requested your help when you were around


Because it seemed so crystal clear
It was obvious that you needed me at those times


That it was you who needed me
It was always you who required my aid


That was the way it had to be
It was our dynamic and we accepted it


Be my mentor, be my guide
Now I need you to help and support me


Show me when to run and where to hide
Teach me how to stay safe and escape danger


I know you would've known just what to do
I am confident that you would have had the answers


With all the things that life could throw at you
You were equipped to handle any challenge


My siren will remain on for a while
I will continue to sound the alarm for help


Waiting soundproof by a timid little smile
I am silently waiting with a small hopeful expression


Without the fear of your next fall
Now that you're not in distress, I don't have to worry about your safety as much


So many moods that you could change
You had the power to shift emotions and attitudes


So many thoughts you'd rearrange
You could alter perspectives and ideas


So many rules I know you'd bend
You were not afraid to challenge and break societal norms


So all good things will find their end...
Nothing lasts forever, even the good times




Writer(s): John Foxx, Anne Charlotte Clark

Contributed by Isaiah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@maximumdunk2656

This song resonates to my core more than any other out there.

Lost my best friend to suicide a couple years back.
His alarm call was always on during the last few years, and I was always there to have a smoke and share a laugh; just to stave off the crushing dread he felt.
He made an attempt years ago, and I remember rushing to the car when I got the message; thankfully he didn't succeed that time, because I would have been too late.

Something broke him though, and he checked himself into a psychiatric ward.
About a week later he got out, came home, and everything seemed fine.
I had made plans to come see him, and was going to show up early and surprise him; but felt he probably needed time with his family.
His parents left him alone for only a few minutes, and by the time they got back; he was gone.
He had it planned out already, without even a goodbye.

God... I wish so badly that I had just gone to see him, I could have stopped him.



@Checkmate___

My sister has struggled with anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember, since we were kids she's gone through some bad shit and I've always been the one there for her.

I love her, and I'm glad I'm here to support her, but we've gone through endless nights of talks about mental health and suicidal thoughts, living in constant fear of her hurting herself or worse, not being able to even look at my phone because I'm scared of receiving that "thank you for everything" text. It's hard, man.

I don't think i had ever come across a song that describes so well the collateral damage the close ones of the affected suffer.

The line "haunted by the sound of your alarm call, living in fear of your next fall" describes it so well.

Nowadays she's doing better but anxiety and depression don't just go away like that, and the nagging fear of "what if?" Is something I will never get over.



@aidanbblp4308

Lyrics:

Where have you gone? I am calling on you
Your alarm call's on and I'm coming to your rescue
I know exactly what to do
I make the call and sit by you
Check your heartbeat against mine
And mop your brow from time to time
Where have you gone? I am calling on you
Your alarm call's on and I'm coming to your rescue
When I'm the person by your side
I'm your mentor, I'm your guide
Upon me you can rely
When you're high and when you're dry
The irony is that my recovery is always slower than yours
You're back on your feet in no time when I'm left floored
Haunted by the sound of your alarm call
Living in fear of your next fall
Where have you gone? I am calling on you
Your alarm call's on and I'm coming to your rescue
I know exactly what to do
I make the call and sit by you
Check your heartbeat against mine
But there's no trace of it this time
Where have you gone? I am calling on you
My siren's on and there's so many things that I need you to do
I never asked when you were here
Because it seemed so crystal clear
That it was you who needed me
That was the way it had to be
Where have you gone? I am calling on you!
My siren's on and there's so many things that I need you to do
Be my mentor, be my guide
Show me when to run and where to hide
I know you would've known just what to do
With all the things that life could throw at you
My siren will remain on for a while
Waiting soundproof by a timid little smile
I'm still haunted by your alarm call
Without the fear of your next fall
Where have you gone? I am calling on you
My siren's on and there's so many things that I need you to do!
So many moods that you could change
So many thoughts you'd rearrange
So many rules I know you'd bend
So all good things will find their end...



@MoonMor

I couldn't find a video with the lyrics anywhere on YouTube so I decided to put them here🙌🏻✨️

Where have you gone? I am calling on you
Your alarm call's on and I'm coming to your rescue
I know exactly what to do
I make the call and sit by you
Check your heartbeat against mine
And mop your brow from time to time
Where have you gone? I am calling on you
Your alarm call's on and I'm coming to your rescue
When I'm the person by your side
I'm your mentor, I'm your guide
Upon me you can rely
When you're high and when you're dry
The irony is that my recovery is always slower than yours
You're back on your feet in no time when I'm left floored
Haunted by the sound of your alarm call
Living in fear of your next fall
Where have you gone? I am calling on you
Your alarm call's on and I'm coming to your rescue
I know exactly what to do
I make the call and sit by you
Check your heartbeat against mine
But there's no trace of it this time
Where have you gone? I am calling on you
My siren's on and there's so many things that I need you to do
I never asked when you were here
Because it seemed so crystal clear
That it was you who needed me
That was the way it had to be
Where have you gone? I am calling on you!
My siren's on and there's so many things that I need you to do
Be my mentor, be my guide
Show me when to run and where to hide
I know you would've known just what to do
With all the things that life could throw at you
My siren will remain on for a while
Waiting soundproof by a timid little smile
I'm still haunted by your alarm call
Without the fear of your next fall
Where have you gone? I am calling on you
My siren's on and there's so many things that I need you to do!
So many moods that you could change
So many thoughts you'd rearrange
So many rules I know you'd bend
So all good things will find their end...



All comments from YouTube:

@arnasvilhelmas7236

"This music video portrays Ian growing up alongside his twin brother Eddie who died suddenly of an epileptic seizure at the age of 21. The project aims to raise awareness and funds for Epilepsy Society"

@dagoat5091

Plot twist with the MR Bruce

@saltboy5868

Sad song

@draco0rex

i had no idea he had a twin brother

@alpacaofthemountain8760

I think he was the animator for this

@anxia-tea5846

“check your heartbeat against mine, but there’s no trace of it this time…”
that line really hit

@APumpkinSpie

i reqad this comment along =as the song played it

@lilneopuppy

Here from sir fluffs amv but it hit harder knowing its about someone lost from epilepsy. My family lost my sisters then fiancé from an epileptic attack 8 years ago. He had both epilepsy and type 1 diabetes which was sadly a very deadly combination. He only lived to 21 as well.

@HIDE-oj6ps

A good singer
A good dancer
A good artist
A good Brother

@rafaelrasillo7356

He sing
He dance
He artist
He trance

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