In 2016, when Shires was finishing her record, My Piece of Land, in music producer Dave Cobb's studio, Shires had an idea to create a girl country supergroup in homage to the legendary Highwaymen country supergroup (consisting of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson). At the same time, the lack of representation of women artists on country music radio and at country music festivals had been publicly discussed by many, influenced by the Me Too movement and journalists like Marissa Moss. While on tour in her van, while listening to country radio, Shires kept a running list of artists and noticed that there were few women. When she called to request they play more women artists, she was directed to a Facebook page lottery system. Cobb recommended Shires call Carlile, who she didn't know. Carlile thought it would be fun, and would be an interesting creative project.
The Highwomen project was widely hinted at by Carlile, Morris and Shires before it was officially announced on April 6, 2019. With the name paying homage to the legendary Highwaymen country supergroup, the Highwomen were originally intended to leave the fourth spot in their line-up vacant to allow other female collaborators to join them, with Chely Wright, Courtney Marie Andrews, Margo Price, Janelle Monae and Sheryl Crow mentioned as potential guests. The band, who jokingly refer to the collaboration as a pirate ship experience, said that they see the project as an incubator project that highlights mentorship and support of fellow women artists.
Maren hadn't worked with Cobb before, and remarked on how much she liked tracking live. The band recorded live vocals, live band, harmonies in unison, where the musicians were recording together live in an organic environment at historic RCA Studio A, which Cobb now owns. As part of the experience, each of the members got matching Highwomen tattoos.
The group made their live debut on April 1, 2019 at Loretta Lynn's 87th birthday concert held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. There, Natalie Hemby was officially revealed as the final member and the quartet performed "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels". Their debut single, "Redesigning Women", and its associated music video featuring female artists including Tanya Tucker, Cam, Lauren Alaina, Cassadee Pope and Wynonna Judd was released on 19 July 2019, with their self-titled debut album (set for release on September 6) becoming available for pre-order on the same day. The song was promoted by country singer Dierks Bentley who released a comedic reading of the lyrics to his YouTube Channel which received praise from Carlile and Morris. Their second single, "Crowded Table", written by band member Hemby and Lori McKenna, was released on July 26, 2019.
In July 2019, the Highwomen performed their first ever full live set at the 60th annual Newport Folk Festival, previewing songs from their upcoming album including "If She Ever Leaves Me", written by Shires, her husband Jason Isbell and Chris Thompkins. With Carlile on lead vocals, Isbell described it as "the first gay country song" which elicited applause from the audience. Other songs performed included "My Only Child", an ode to "suburban moms" performed by Hemby who wrote the track with Shires and Miranda Lambert, "Loose Change", a nod to 70s country featuring Morris on lead vocals and "Cocktail and a Song" which was written solely by Shires in honor of her father. Carlile later invited the rest of the Highwomen to join her during her headlining set where, as they originally intended, the group performed alongside other female artists including Amy Ray, Courtney Marie Andrews, Dolly Parton, Jade Bird, Judy Collins, Linda Perry, Lucy Dacus, Our Native Daughters, Sheryl Crow, The First Ladies of Bluegrass, and Yola Carter. Shires said the plan was always to debut their music at Newport with Dolly Parton. The band wore custom suits by Manuel.
Their cover of "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac from the soundtrack of the movie The Kitchen debuted during the film's first trailer and was officially released on August 2, 2019. The title track of their self-titled debut album was released on August 13, 2019. Written by Carlile and Shires with Jimmy Webb, the original writer of "Highwayman", the track that originally inspired the Highwomen's formation, it tells the story of various women throughout history and features guest vocals from British country soul singer Yola Carter and backing vocals from Sheryl Crow. The song is a classic answer song.
The band recorded 15 songs, but only 12 tracks made it on the album. Songwriters included the aforementioned Jimmy Webb, Rodney Clawson, Maggie Chapman, Lori McKenna, Jason Isbell, Peter Levin, Miranda Lambert, Ray LaMontagne, among many others. Many of the songs flip gender roles, with additions of characters like refugee, preacher, Freedom Rider, and a healer, compared to the characters drawn by the Highwaymen songs.
Don't Call Me
The Highwomen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run for help, yell for someone, pray for a sign
Dial 9-1-1, light a roadside flare, up and run
I don't care, just don't, don't call me
If your truck breaks down, if it all falls apart
Leave it on the shoulder, just get out, take a walk
If your shoes hurt your feet, take 'em off, probably do you some good
Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me?
When you chose to up and leave, but don't call me
You wake up, angel, in the linen she used to fold
Even if my line is the only number you know
You gotta figure it out on your own
Used up your favors a long time ago, so don't, don't call me
Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me?
When you chose to up and leave, don't call me
(Oh no you don't)
Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me?
When you chose to up and leave, don't call me
(Whoa, you don't call me)
Try sortin' it out yourself
(Don't call me)
Pick up a book and get self help
(Don't call me)
1-800 go to hell, there's always been someone else (don't call me)
You can lean on your other ex, I know ya'll still text (no, no, no, don't call me)
Call your mom, she'll fix your mess (don't call me, don't call me)
Call you doctor, your lawyer, if you can afford one (don't call me, you don't call me, don't call me)
Lose my number, don't call Brandy (don't call me)
And don't call me
Call your spiritual guider, Buddha maybe (don't call me)
Your tattoo artist
Somebody else can get this party started
In "Don't Call Me" by The Highwomen, the singer warns her ex not to call her in case of emergencies as she has had enough of his mess. The lyrics describe the various situations where her ex gets himself into trouble and asks for her help. She advises him to handle his problems on his own and not to contact her as he has already used up all his favors. The song's hook "Don't call me with another of your emergencies" expresses the frustration of the singer towards her ex's constant dependence on her.
The lyrics convey a strong message of independence and self-reliance. The singer implies that her ex needs to take responsibility for himself and stop relying on others to bail him out. The use of the emergency situations, such as breaking down on the road or having sore feet, emphasizes the idea that these are not real emergencies and can be handled without relying on someone else. The singer suggests that her ex needs to pick up a book or seek help from other professionals rather than relying on her.
The song's chorus "Didn't you say you outgrew me? When you chose to up and leave" highlights the irony of the situation. The singer reminds her ex that he claimed to have outgrown her when he left, but now he seems to need her help again. She tells him to stop depending on her and to rely on himself or other sources of help.
Line by Line Meaning
You get yourself in another one of your binds
When you find yourself in a difficult situation
Run for help, yell for someone, pray for a sign
Try to find a solution through asking for help or divine intervention.
Dial 9-1-1, light a roadside flare, up and run
Use all of the emergency resources at your disposal
I don't care, just don't, don't call me
But do not attempt to rely on me for assistance
If your truck breaks down, if it all falls apart
In the case of mechanical issues or other problems
Leave it on the shoulder, just get out, take a walk
Abandon your current situation, even if temporarily
If your shoes hurt your feet, take 'em off, probably do you some good
Sometimes, physical discomfort is necessary and beneficial to personal growth.
Hell maybe a lot, just don't, don't call me
But again, don't call me for help with these problems.
Oh, don't, don't call me
Don't even entertain the thought of reaching out for assistance
With another of your emergencies
When yet another crisis arises
Didn't you say you outgrew me?
Since you have claimed to have progressed beyond our previous relationship...
When you chose to up and leave, but don't call me
...then you should not attempt to maintain contact.
You wake up, angel, in the linen she used to fold
When you find yourself with only one point of contact for help
Even if my line is the only number you know
And that number happens to be mine
You gotta figure it out on your own
Take on the challenge of addressing the problem by oneself
Used up your favors a long time ago, so don't, don't call me
However, no additional support should be expected since you have previously exhausted your credits with me.
Try sortin' it out yourself
Attempt to resolve these difficulties without involving me.
Pick up a book and get self help
Consider consulting other self-help resources to address your problems.
1-800 go to hell, there's always been someone else
If all else fails, there are other resources available to you.
You can lean on your other ex, I know ya'll still text
There are tentative relationships available to you, even if that is not with me
(no, no, no, don't call me)
The overarching message of this song
Call your mom, she'll fix your mess
Consider turning to more wholesome relationships or familial ones to address your conflcts.
Call you doctor, your lawyer, if you can afford one (don't call me, you don't call me, don't call me)
There are various professional resources or other friends who may be able to assist you.
Lose my number, don't call Brandy (don't call me)
Whatever you do, do not attempt to contact me for help.
Call your spiritual guider, Buddha maybe (don't call me)
Consider reaching out to your spiritual advisor or other religions for guidance and assistance.
Your tattoo artist
In some cases, even artistic expression can represent a source of support
Somebody else can get this party started
In conclusion, there are various other resources available to you outside of my support structure.
Lyrics © Alfred
Written by: Peter Levin, Amanda Shires
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@suzylecomte6893
** LYRICS "DON'T CALL ME" **
[Verse 1]
You get yourself in another one of your binds
Run for help, yell for someone, pray for a sign
Dial 9-1-1, light a roadside flare
Up and run, I don't care
Just don't, don't call me
[Verse 2]
If your truck breaks down, if it all falls apart
Leave it on the shoulder, just get out, take a walk
If your shoes hurt your feet, take 'em off
Probably do you some good, hell maybe a lot
Just don't, don't call me
[Chorus]
Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me
When you chose to up and leave?
Well, don't call me
[Verse 3]
You wake up in jail and they let you use the phone
Even if mine's the only number you know
You gotta figure it out on your own
Used up your favors a long time ago
So don't, don't call me
[Chorus]
Well don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me
When you chose to up and leave?
Don't call me
(Oh no you don't)
[Chorus]
Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me
When you chose to up and leave?
Don't call me
[Outro]
(Whoa, you don't call me)
Try sortin' it out yourself
(Don't call me)
Pick up a book and get self-help
(Don't call me)
1-800-GO2-HELL, there's always been someone else
(Don't call me)
You can lean on your other ex, I know y'all still text
(No, no, no, don't call me)
I know your mom, she'll fix your mess
(Don't call me, don't call me)
Call your doctor
Your lawyer, if you can afford one
(Don't call me, you don't call me, don't call me)
Lose my number
Don't call Brandi
(Don't call me)
And don't call me
(No, no, no, no)
Call your spiritual guide, or Buddha maybe
(Don't call me)
Your tattoo artist
Somebody else can get this party started
Retrieved from https://genius.com/The-highwomen-dont-call-me-lyrics
@HeyItsCoates
It's good to see the soul of country being revived with all the "bro country" out there.
@ddflynn50
We need more music from the Highwomen :) Let's get this party started!
@shawnahanley6242
Amanda killing this spoken word song..I love the ending lyrics...lol, call your tattoo artist..
@suzylecomte6893
** LYRICS "DON'T CALL ME" **
[Verse 1]
You get yourself in another one of your binds
Run for help, yell for someone, pray for a sign
Dial 9-1-1, light a roadside flare
Up and run, I don't care
Just don't, don't call me
[Verse 2]
If your truck breaks down, if it all falls apart
Leave it on the shoulder, just get out, take a walk
If your shoes hurt your feet, take 'em off
Probably do you some good, hell maybe a lot
Just don't, don't call me
[Chorus]
Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me
When you chose to up and leave?
Well, don't call me
[Verse 3]
You wake up in jail and they let you use the phone
Even if mine's the only number you know
You gotta figure it out on your own
Used up your favors a long time ago
So don't, don't call me
[Chorus]
Well don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me
When you chose to up and leave?
Don't call me
(Oh no you don't)
[Chorus]
Oh, don't, don't call me
With another of your emergencies
Didn't you say you outgrew me
When you chose to up and leave?
Don't call me
[Outro]
(Whoa, you don't call me)
Try sortin' it out yourself
(Don't call me)
Pick up a book and get self-help
(Don't call me)
1-800-GO2-HELL, there's always been someone else
(Don't call me)
You can lean on your other ex, I know y'all still text
(No, no, no, don't call me)
I know your mom, she'll fix your mess
(Don't call me, don't call me)
Call your doctor
Your lawyer, if you can afford one
(Don't call me, you don't call me, don't call me)
Lose my number
Don't call Brandi
(Don't call me)
And don't call me
(No, no, no, no)
Call your spiritual guide, or Buddha maybe
(Don't call me)
Your tattoo artist
Somebody else can get this party started
Retrieved from https://genius.com/The-highwomen-dont-call-me-lyrics
@DrStarbuck
I LOVE this song! So much fun!
@heidigilsonmusic2800
I love this song so much.
@NBabyboomer
Love it! ❤️ Sassy as hell!
@ac9787
3:04 "Don't call Brandi" I love this! 😆
@heidigilsonmusic2800
Call 1800, go to hell. That’s good stuff
@katbowl9971
Great song. Love the attitude!