12 23 05
The Pinks Lyrics
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du e så långt ifrån
ja slår ditt nummer gång på gång
ja kommer bort å aldrig fram
sig mig vem e han
som får din tid natten lång
ja ringer 12 23 05
12 23 05 men de e likadant igen
du talar mä nån vän
som va ja för längesen
12 23 05 ja ringer 12 23 05
vem e ja som ställer krav
de som varit har varit
du å ja vi e inte mer
men den eviga upptagna ton
gör en ny situation
vem e hahahan och finns de fler?
refräng X 2
The lyrics to The Pinks's song "12 23 05" are a contemplative reflection on a failed relationship. The singer is on the phone trying to reach their former partner and repeatedly dialing their number, "12 23 05," but has been unsuccessful in getting through. The sense of distance and disconnection is emphasized throughout the song, with the singer being unable to reach the person they desire despite their persistent efforts. The lyrics capture the sense of longing and unanswered questions that occur after a relationship ends, and the frustration of being unable to move on.
The singer is haunted by unanswered questions about their former partner's current life and relationships: "sig mig vem e han / som får din tid natten lång" (tell me who is he / who gets your time all night long). The sense of longing and uncertainty is expressed through the repetition of the phone number and the futile attempts to reach the other person. The lyrics also hint at the difficulty of letting go of the past and the sense of loss that can come with the end of a relationship, with the line "de som varit har varit / du å ja vi e inte mer" (what's been has been / you and I are no more) suggesting a sense of finality that the singer is struggling to come to terms with.
Line by Line Meaning
sitter med min telefon
I am sitting with my phone, waiting for something to happen.
du e så långt ifrån
You are far away from me, too far to reach.
ja slår ditt nummer gång på gång
I repeatedly dial your number, hoping you will pick up.
ja kommer bort å aldrig fram
I keep getting lost and never getting through to you.
sig mig vem e han
Tell me about the person who is getting all of your attention.
som får din tid natten lång
The person who is occupying your time and thoughts all night long.
ja ringer 12 23 05
I keep calling you at 12:23 AM.
ringer om å om igen
I call over and over again.
du talar mä nån vän
You are on the phone with a friend.
som va ja för längesen
Someone who used to be me, a long time ago.
vem e ja som ställer krav
Who am I to be making demands?
de som varit har varit
What we used to have is over.
du å ja vi e inte mer
You and I are no longer together.
men den eviga upptagna ton
But the continuous busy signal is a new situation for me.
gör en ny situation
It creates an unfamiliar scenario.
vem e hahahan och finns de fler?
Who is the person talking in the background and are there others?
refräng X 2
Repeat the chorus twice.
Contributed by Lily M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.