Wallinger recorded the first two World Party albums (Private Revolution and Goodbye Jumbo) practically single-handed. The former reached the US Top 40 and the single ‘Ship Of Fools’ broke into the Top 30 (it was hastily dropped by radio in his native Great Britain because of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster). Goodbye Jumbo took equal amounts of inspiration from the eco movement and the Beatles, and the highly catchy single ‘Message In The Box’ provided Wallinger with his first UK Top 40 hit.
Wallinger’s muse, a relaxed and melancholic take on mid-period Beatles, has not so much been updated as revitalized on his subsequent, sterling work, although a minor breakthrough was made with 1993’s Bang!, which featured Wallinger’s only UK Top 20 hit to date, ‘Is It Like Today’, and reached number 2 on the album charts. On Bang!, Wallinger was joined by Chris Sharrock (drums, ex-Icicle Works) and Dave Catlin-Birch (guitars/keyboards). Some of the reviews for 1997’s Egyptology were unnecessarily cruel (especially the New Musical Express). It was by his standards another good album, which, although still locked into the Beatles’ sound (this time circa 1968), featured some great moments, notably the gentle ‘She’s The One’ and the meatier ‘Curse Of The Mummy’s Tomb’. The former indirectly gave Wallinger a worthy chart-topping single, when Robbie Williams’ cover version reached the top of the UK singles chart in November 1999 (Williams’ songwriting partner Guy Chambers (b. 12 Jan 1963, England) was at one time a member of World Party).
The next World Party album, 2000’s Dumbing Up, retreated from the ambitions of Egyptology, and found Wallinger resorting to his pick ‘n’ mix style of songwriting. He is one of the best magpie songwriters around, and the strong influence of ELO, Bob Dylan (‘Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream’ in the shape of ‘Who Are You?’) and even Rare Bird (shades of ‘Sympathy’ in ‘All The Love That’s Wasted’) could be heard, in addition to strong memories of the Beatles’ ‘Dear Prudence’ and ‘Baby You’re A Rich Man’ in ‘Another 1000 Years’.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin.
Call Me Up
World Party Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call me up when the night has gone
I had enough of this rolling over
Call me up and I will come along
Call me up and I will come along
Don't get me wrong
Been a long, long, long time
Since I had something that I really love
Been a long, long, long, long, long time
Since I
Call me up when the night is over
Call me up when the night has gone
I'll turn around on the road I'm going
Just call me up and I will come along
Call me up and I will come along
Don't get me wrong
Been a long long, long, long, long time
Since I heard something that I really love
Don't get me wrong
Been a long, long, long, long time
Since I
Don't get me wrong
Don't get me wrong
Whatever happened to those bits in the middle?
You know those crazy piano bits
I used to think that it went like that
But it really went like this
Really went like this
Call me up when the night is over
Yeah I'm up now and the night is gone
Had enough of this rolling over
Call me up and I will come along
Call me up and I will come along
Call me up and I will come along
The lyrics to World Party’s “Call Me Up” express a sense of longing for something or someone to come along and make life more worthwhile. The singer seems to be dissatisfied with the rolling routine of night after night, and is in search of something that they really love. They plead with the listener to call them up when the night is over and when the night has gone, and they promise that they will come along if called. They seem to be searching for some sort of meaning or purpose, and are frustrated with the ongoing monotony of daily life. The repetition of “don’t get me wrong” suggests that the singer is aware that they may sound ungrateful or picky, but they are simply in search of something more fulfilling.
The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has ever felt like they’re just going through the motions and searching for something more in life. They capture a universal sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo and a longing for something that really speaks to the soul. The repeated phrase “call me up” is a call for connection and a reaching out for something that is missing. Overall, the song expresses a sense of hope that something better is out there, and an open willingness to explore new opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me up when the night is over
If you need me, call me once the night ends.
Call me up when the night has gone
When the night passes, give me a call.
I had enough of this rolling over
I'm tired of repeatedly being in the same situation, so contact me.
Call me up and I will come along
Just call me, and I'll be there with you.
Don't get me wrong
Do not misinterpret or misunderstand me.
Been a long, long, long time
It has been a very long time.
Since I had something that I really love
It's been a while since I've had something that makes me truly happy.
I'll turn around on the road I'm going
I'll change my path and come with you instead.
Don't get me wrong
I'm not saying anything negative.
Been a long long, long, long, long time
It's been an incredibly long time.
Since I heard something that I really love
I haven't heard something that truly speaks to me in a long time.
Whatever happened to those bits in the middle?
What happened to those interesting parts in between?
You know those crazy piano bits
The unusual piano sections that I'm referring to.
I used to think that it went like that
I previously believed that it sounded a certain way.
But it really went like this
However, it was actually like this.
Yeah I'm up now and the night is gone
I'm awake now and the night has ended.
Call me up and I will come along
Just give me a call, and I'll join you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KARL EDMOND DE VERE WALLINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
roar5952
If ?
The son of man is raised.........?
It is to call the all up unto him.........?
IF ?
The son of man is not raised......?
We so say the all of this world of darkness.
Perished giving witness in correctly.........
I ask did Carl or does Carl understand what he is singing about...........?
Do you.............?
Roger Roger
Absolutely one of the best records ever!
Peter Sun
A classic yet to be found by the world, cheers to thinking someday they will call this one up!
Kim Mason
I've only just found this song recently. It's great!
Brett Wendel
Brilliant band,
Matthew Pengelly
My sister once bought this album for my birthday on cassette. Not only did i wear it out, i went and got it on CD!! Over a couple of months, i got 4 more WP albums!! Amazing songs!!
Mitch Mover
Brilliant! The entire Egyptology CD is great!
Dan James
How the hell does this not have 1 million views!?? 34,000?? I feel like this song flew under the radar and never got the recognition it deserves. And this video is magical!
Stephanie H
Great song Karl.
PoweredByAudio
Hell Yes! I Found This Song Not Too Long Ago! (2011) I've Been Searching For This Song Since '97...Way Back When MTV 2 Played GOOD MUSIC!
Cherokee Lair
Call me up and I will come along!
I thought this album came out a couple of years ago and I just now realized it was 22 years ago...