Songs (and more) About Calling and Writing

[DMAFl]

Once upon a time, we grabbed our phone's receiver when we wanted to dial out or answer a call.  We pulled out a pen and paper to write a letter and we couldn't wait to get cards and letters from far away friends and loved ones.  Now having a "landline" is becoming more of a punchline and a lot of people think that Palmer penmanship is something to be shunned.  Running out of postage stamps used to be a real problem (remember?), now a small quantity of Forever stamps might last us a very long time.

No doubt that our smartphones are almost as important to us as food, shelter, and clothing.  They do it all. When my phone battery gets too  low, and must be charged, I start experiencing separation anxiiety.  And it is hard to imagine living without emails, texting, social media, etc..  

But once those old phones and letters were all over the place in popular music once. Those old songs would never be the same if they used "today's" communications.  "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" is kind of a sweet upbeat old song.   Not nearly as endearing if it involved a docusigned (signed!) private message (sealed!) with a read receipt (delivered!)

So:  Songs About Telephones, Phone Calls, and Written Communications

and if you'd like to contemplate how those songs might be different today (and so bad) it would be fun to see those comments)

[MaVolta]

Nights in White Satin -- The Moody Blues

Letters I've written

Never meaning to send

[1968Hoya46]

Boots Of Spanish Leather: Dylan (oh I got a letter on a lonesome day, it was from her ship a sailin')

[Raynyky]

I Just Gotta Get A Message To You- Bee Gees

The preacher talked to me and he smiled
Said, "Come and walk with me, come and walk one more mile
Now for once in your life you're alone
But you ain't got a dime, there's no time for the phone

[1968Hoya46]

Ain't That Good News: Sam Cooke (I got a letter just the other day telling me she was on her way).

[BobH07]

I Write The Songs:  Barry Manilow

[BobH07]

Rewrite:  Paul Simon

[BobH07]

Sound Of Silence:  Simon and Garfunkel

 "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls"

[BobH07]

Hold The Line:  Toto

[Raynyky]

Ghostbusters-Ray Parker Jr.

[BeatleloverKT]

Letters from Spain  ELO

[BobH07]

Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair) by Sheena Easton

[BeatleloverKT]

The book of love  Monotones

[Raynyky]

Call Me-Al Green

[1968Hoya46]

Margarita: Traveling Wilburys (She wrote a long letter on a short piece of paper).

[Raynyky]

I'm Not In Love-10cc

And just because
I call you up
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made
I'm not in love, no no, it's because

[1968Hoya46]

You Wear It Well: Rod Stewart (I had nothing to do on this hot afternoon but settle down and write you a line).

[Raynyky]

Call Me -Ringo

[1968Hoya46]

Western Union: The Five Americans

[1968Hoya46]

Hey Western Union Man: Jerry Butler

[Cirice]

The Telephone Call - Kraftwerk

[1968Hoya46]

I'm Ready: Fats Domino (talkin on the phone is not my speed, don't send me no letter cause I can't read).

[BeatleloverKT]

Letters never sent  Carly Simon

[1968Hoya46]

Too Weak To Fight: Clarence Carter  (you got me calling wrong numbers).

[MaVolta]

I Just Called to Say I Love You  -  Stevie Wonder

I don't remember seeing it, but apologies if duplicated.

[BeatleloverKT]

Chantilly Lace  Big Bopper (song is based on a phone call with his honey, or so I read)

"What's that honey?

Pick you up at 8 and don't be late?

But baby I ain't got no money honey

Oh alright baby you know what I like"

(Sorry @1968Hoya46 unintentional repeat!)

[1968Hoya46]

All My Loving: Beatles (I'll write home every day).

[BeatleloverKT]

Rikki don't lose that number  Steely Dan

[1968Hoya46]

I'll Be Around: Spinners (just call me on the phone and I'll be there).

[BeatleloverKT]

Calling America  ELO

[1968Hoya46]

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing: Marvin And Tammi (I read your letters when you're not here).