Lead vocalist Danny Wilde began his musical career as the lead singer of The Quick, an L.A.-based punk and power pop inspired combo briefly popular in the late 70s, breaking through with their song "Pretty Please Me". The musical duo of Danny Wilde and Phil Solem had roots in an early 80s new wave/power pop band, called Great Buildings, which released a single critically-lauded album on Columbia in 1981. Although spawning minor hits in "Hold On To Something" and "Maybe It's You", major success eluded the outfit.
After they disbanded, Wilde released a series of slick 80s solo albums before rejoining with his former partner to form the Rembrandts. Initially, the band was heavily indebted to simplistic guitar pop reminiscent of early work from The Beatles and The Everly Brothers. They also took serious inspiration from pop contemporaries such as Squeeze and Crowded House. Their first, self-titled album, released in 1990, featured the surprise #14 hit "Just the Way It Is, Baby", which managed to claw its way onto top 40 playlists despite sounding out of place for the time. Follow-up singles "Someone" and "Save Me" also garnered some airplay.
Their second record, released two years later (and titled, humorously, 'Untitled') also spawned minor hits in the brooding, violin-spiked "Johnny, Have You Seen Her?" and the breezy "Rolling Down the Hill". Both songs showed the band's partial influence from alternative rock groups. In 1995, however, the Rembrandts became a surprise, seemingly-overnight success when they recorded the theme song to the program 'Friends', a ditty reminiscent of British invasion groups called "I'll Be There For You",
The song became an instant smash based on its thirty-second TV version. Interestingly enough, they recorded the full-length version of "I'll Be There For You" only after the shorter version was recorded specifically for the TV show. The band was busy prepping their third release, 'L.P.', at the time that "I'll Be There For You" became so successful, and it was shoehorned last minute onto the end of the track order (initial pressings omit the song on the track list). Unfortunately, much of the new audience generated by the hit didn't take a shine to the rest of the low-key pop rock on the disc. The album went platinum and picked up supportive critical reviews, but it has become something of a lost 90s classic. A few follow-up singles, notably "This House Is Not a Home", generated a small amount of interest, but nothing compared to that of the 'Friends' theme.
The sudden shift in the band's fanbase-- where they had gone from being a low-flying critical success to a discarded 'one-hit-wonder' in the popular consciousness-- took its toll on the band, especially Solem. He outright quit several years later. Danny Wilde produced another Rembrandts album without him, but it was a commercial failure. In 2001, however, the duo reunited for 'Lost Together', their fourth album as a duo and fifth overall. A greatest hits compilation was released in 2006, displaying that the band did in fact have a singles history far deeper than the 'Friends' theme. As time has gone on, they've also had a cult following among power pop fans.
Call Me
The Rembrandts Lyrics
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But now your silence seems, a very different kind
It feels like I've been dyin', just to hear your voice again
[Chorus]
Call me..call me-can't you hear me cryin'?
Call me..call me-please don't leave me hangin' on
Why did I have to go, and wait it out so long?
But I didn't mean to hurt you-if you could only feel my pain
[Chorus]
Now I can't speak for you, but I wish you'd talk to me
How difficult can this one conversation be?
[Chorus: x2]
Call me
Please don't leave me... hangin' on
Call me
Call me
Call me
The Rembrandts' song, "Call Me," is a heart-wrenching plea for communication and connection. The lyrics suggest that the two individuals in the song have had difficult times in the past but have never been at a loss for words. Now, however, one person's silence is like a "very different kind" of pain for the other. The chorus, "Call me...call me-can't you hear me cryin'? Call me...call me-please don't leave me hangin' on," is a desperate request to bridge the gap that has formed between them. The singer is admitting fault, acknowledging that they may have been wrong, and expressing their deep desire for forgiveness and a chance to make things right. They are aware that they may have hurt the other person unintentionally, and are hoping that they can understand each other's pain.
The lyrics illustrate the importance of communication, especially in difficult times. The singer is willing to reach out, to admit their fault, and to listen and understand the other person's pain. However, the other person remains silent, making the situation even worse. The line, "How difficult can this one conversation be?" highlights the necessity of having difficult conversations, even if they are uncomfortable. It is better to confront the problem head-on and to communicate openly and honestly, rather than to let misunderstandings fester and grow.
Overall, "Call Me" is a moving plea for communication, understanding, and forgiveness. It is a reminder of the power of words and the damage that can be done when they are left unsaid. It is a call to action, urging us to reach out to those we have lost touch with and to start the difficult conversations that heal old wounds and mend broken relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
We both know you and I, have been through harder times
We have experienced tougher situations together in the past, but now your silence feels unusual.
It feels like I've been dyin', just to hear your voice again
I have been feeling as though a part of me is dying just to listen to your voice once again.
Call me..call me-can't you hear me cryin'?
I implore you to contact me since my desperation is causing me to cry out for you to call me.
So maybe you were right, and maybe I've been wrong
It is possible that you were correct and I was mistaken.
But I didn't mean to hurt you-if you could only feel my pain
I did not intend to harm you, and I wish you could empathize with my agony.
Now I can't speak for you, but I wish you'd talk to me
While I cannot speak on your behalf, I desire for you to converse with me.
How difficult can this one conversation be?
How challenging could this single dialogue possibly be?
Please don't leave me... hangin' on
Please do not abandon me when I am in need of your support.
Call me
Please call me.
Call me
Please call me.
Call me
Please call me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHIL SOLEM, SCOTT MILLER, DANNY C. WILDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind