The group scored many hits on the R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and they hit #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1980 with "And the Beat Goes On " (not to be confused with Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On") / "Can You Do the Boogie" / "Out the Box". In 1987, they enjoyed a brief tenure in the Top 40 when "Rock Steady" became their first Top 10 success on the Hot 100 (it reached #7) while also capturing the #1 spot on the R&B chart.
Emergency
The Whispers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When someone else would tap my line
On hold my woman's love I have
Expecting to still be mine, yeah
Time comes around
I'm knowing I should be there
Cause when I call her
Is busy at the strangest hours
Operator got to have your help
This is an emergency
Please interrupt the line
He's trying to beat my time
Emergency
That's what I'm making, ooh
Tell her love is on the phone
I know I left her all alone
But this time I got my signals straight
When love calls she won't have to wait
Try the line one more time
This woman is much too rare for me to give her up
Knowing that love's still here
Cause all at once it came to me
Now operator got to help me please
This is an emergency
Please won't you put me through
Or she'll have somebody new
Emergency
That's what I'm making
Cause my heart is achin', ooh...ooh...
This is an emergency
I don't care about the charge
I'm suffering from a broken heart
Emergency
In the name of love, yeah
So won't you help me out
This is an emergency
He's trying to beat my time
Emergency
In the name of love, ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
Yeah
Operator
This is an emergency
I don't care about the charge
I'm suffering from a broken
Yeah
That's what I'm making
Cause my heart is achin' for my baby
(This is an emergency) This is an emergency
Please interrupt the line
Cause he's trying to beat my time
Emergency, ooh
This is an emergency
Now you've got to put me though
Or she'll have somebody new, yeah
In the song "Emergency" by The Whispers, the singer is expressing his desire to reconnect with his lover who has seemingly moved on with someone else. He never expected someone else to take his place, and he's now desperately trying to reach her through the phone line. He's worried that if he doesn't get through, his love will end up with someone else. The singer acknowledges his past mistakes and promises to make amends this time around.
The song is powered by the singer's raw and emotional performance, backed up by strong instrumental accompaniment – including percussions, guitar riffs, and horn sections. The chorus is easy to sing along with and creates an immersive experience that draws listeners into the singer's emotional state.
The lyrics of "Emergency" show how love can become an emergency when it's at risk of being taken away. The song captures the feeling of desperation that comes with relationships where emotions are high and intense. The Whispers give a soulful and powerful performance that makes listeners feel the emotions and urgency of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought there'd come a time
I never expected that there would be a day
When someone else would tap my line
When someone else would intercept my phone call
On hold my woman's love I have
I have my girlfriend's love on hold
Expecting to still be mine, yeah
I'm still expecting her to be with me
Time comes around
The time has come
I'm knowing I should be there
I know that I should be with her
Cause when I call her
Because when I try to call her
A line that's always been clear
A phone line that has always been available
Is busy at the strangest hours
Is busy at unexpected times
Operator got to have your help
I need your help, operator
This is an emergency
This is a serious situation
Please interrupt the line
Please disconnect the existing phone call
He's trying to beat my time
Someone else is trying to take her away from me
That's what I'm making, ooh
That's the situation I'm in
Tell her love is on the phone
Tell her that I am calling because of love
I know I left her all alone
I know I left her by herself
But this time I got my signals straight
But this time I know what to say
When love calls she won't have to wait
She won't have to wait for my love
Try the line one more time
Try calling her once again
This woman is much too rare for me to give her up
This woman is too special for me to let go of
Knowing that love's still here
Knowing that the love is still existing
Cause all at once it came to me
I suddenly realized
Now operator got to help me please
I need your help, operator
I don't care about the charge
I'm not concerned about the cost
I'm suffering from a broken heart
I'm experiencing heartbreak
In the name of love, yeah
I'm doing this for love
So won't you help me out
So please help me
Now you've got to put me though
Now you have to connect me
Or she'll have somebody new, yeah
Or she'll find someone else
Operator
Hello, operator
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOBBY BLOOM, RITCHIE CORDELL, BO GENTRY, B. SPENCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Shira
0:50
Time comes around...
I'm knowing I should be there
Cause when I call her
A line that's always been clear
Is busy at the strangest hours
Operator got to have your help
The way they twist and turn these lyrics, just fantastic!
Hodari Daniels
The Whispers had good style in the tracksuits, they had groove and harmony that's what Solar Records were known for putting the heat on the dance floor with their grooves.
John Colkley
Such good memories, all their songs were hits and told the truth!
genobibb
This is The Whispers most underrated song. I use to play this on a regular basis on my radio show, back in the day
Paul Woodbridge
Well done 👏 ✔ 👍
Cinnamon Spice
I love the Whispers music. Two of the original members are in heaven.
Hattie Berger
Nicholas Caldwell was one of the best choreographer of all times rest in peace Nick
Coach Robinson
A hellva songwriter as well! ;))
Roger Babuse
Nicholas was above everything
Mr Right
You could tell that he loved everything about the Whispers... He brought so much energy to every performance
Wesley Vaughn, Jr.
THE WHISPERS, MAN THESE CATS ARE THE REAL DEAL IN R&B.... NOTHING BUT HITS WITH THEM !