28 Songs About Telephones

Exploring the unique way musicians have woven the theme of communication through telephones into their lyrics, this article delves into 28 iconic songs that have captured the essence of phone calls in love, heartbreak, and connection. These tracks, spanning various genres and decades, highlight how the telephone has been a significant symbol in storytelling through music.

1. “Hello” by Adele

“Hello” by Adele dives deep into the emotional turmoil of attempting to reconnect with a past lover over the phone. The song captures the essence of longing and regret, resonating with anyone who’s ever tried to mend a broken relationship through a call.

2. “Hotline Bling” by Drake

“Hotline Bling” by Drake explores the role of the telephone in modern relationships, touching on themes of nostalgia, jealousy, and miscommunication. It reflects on how late-night calls have shifted from intimate conversations to triggers of longing and emotional turmoil.

3. “Telephone” by Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé

“Telephone” by Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé delves into the chaos of a communication breakdown and the deep yearning for escape from the constant connectivity that phones symbolize. It cleverly combines pop culture with a critique on the overwhelming nature of being always reachable.

4. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen

“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen captures the sheer excitement and hopeful anticipation of making a new connection over the phone. The song epitomizes the thrilling yet nerve-wracking moment of handing out your number, waiting for that all-important call.

5. “Hello” by Lionel Richie

“Hello” by Lionel Richie stands as a timeless ballad that uses the telephone as a powerful symbol to express deep longing and love. Its memorable lyrics and melody evoke strong emotions tied to the desire of hearing a loved one’s voice on the other end of the line.

6. “I Just Called To Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder

“I Just Called To Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder showcases the telephone’s role in conveying affection in the most direct and simple manner. This heartwarming track highlights how a phone call can be a profound medium for expressing love, transcending the need for a special occasion.

7. “Mr. Telephone Man” by New Edition

“Mr. Telephone Man” by New Edition captures the frustrations and challenges of trying to maintain a relationship through phone calls. The song’s narrative revolves around the misunderstandings and the feelings of helplessness encountered when communication doesn’t go as planned.

8. “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth

“One Call Away” by Charlie Puth emphasizes the reassuring message that support and presence are just a phone call away. This uplifting track portrays the telephone as a bridge, offering comfort and connection irrespective of physical distance.

9. “Hung Up” by Madonna

“Hung Up” by Madonna interweaves the theme of eagerly waiting by the phone into a broader narrative about unreciprocated love and the passage of time. The song uses the phone as a metaphor to explore the angst and anticipation of waiting for a lover’s call that never comes.

10. “Ring, Ring” by ABBA

“Ring, Ring” by ABBA delves into the anguish and anticipation experienced while waiting for a phone call from a loved one. The song perfectly captures the emotional rollercoaster of hope and despair tied to the sound of a ringing telephone.

11. “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You” by Sugarloaf

“Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You” by Sugarloaf offers a humorous take on the music industry’s empty promises, using telephone communication as a metaphor. This track cleverly critiques the all-too-familiar runarounds given by industry executives, encapsulated in the classic line shared during unfulfilling phone calls.

12. “Wrong Number” by The Cure

“Wrong Number” by The Cure explores the theme of miscommunication and missed connections through the metaphor of a telephone call gone awry. It highlights the confusion and disconnect that can arise from reaching out and finding oneself lost in translation.

13. “Bless the Telephone” by Labi Siffre

“Bless the Telephone” by Labi Siffre celebrates the unique intimacy and connection that telephone calls can bring into our lives. This tender song acknowledges how a simple phone call can deeply touch our hearts and bring us closer to those we love.

14. “Call Me” by Blondie

“Call Me” by Blondie encapsulates the essence of independence and the nature of transient relationships in the digital age through the lens of telephonic communication. The track stands as an anthem for those navigating the complexities of modern connectivity and the fleeting moments shared over the phone.

15. “Marvin’s Room” by Drake

“Marvin’s Room” by Drake delves into the vulnerability and raw emotion often exposed during late-night, inebriated phone calls. This poignant track captures the complexity of reaching out to a former lover, laid bare with honesty and heartache, in the quiet of the night.

16. “Payphone” by Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa

“Payphone” by Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa taps into nostalgia and the fading era of payphones as powerful symbols of lost connections and missed opportunities. The song intertwines themes of regret and longing, set against the backdrop of a world moving away from these once-ubiquitous symbols of public communication.

17. “Hello Again” by Neil Diamond

“Hello Again” by Neil Diamond emphasizes the comforting reassurance that comes with the ability to reconnect over the phone. This heartfelt ballad speaks to the simplicity and warmth of hearing a familiar voice, offering solace and connection across any distance.

18. “Kiss Me Thru the Phone” by Soulja Boy Tell’em ft. Sammie

“Kiss Me Thru the Phone” by Soulja Boy Tell’em featuring Sammie captures the essence of modern romance and the ways digital communication has shaped expressions of love and longing. This catchy track celebrates the creative and heartfelt gestures lovers use to bridge distances and maintain a connection through their phones.

19. “Answer the Phone” by Sugar Ray

“Answer the Phone” by Sugar Ray articulates the frustration and yearning for direct communication amidst the distractions of an increasingly busy world. This song highlights the longing for a simple, connecting moment via a telephone call in the midst of life’s chaos.

20. “Private Number” by Judy Clay & William Bell

“Private Number” by Judy Clay & William Bell soulfully explores the mysteries and excitement that secret phone calls can evoke. The song delves into the anticipation and intrigue of unknown callers, capturing the thrill of connecting in a hidden, private manner.

21. “Chantilly Lace” by The Big Bopper

“Chantilly Lace” by The Big Bopper stands as one of the earliest songs to incorporate a telephone conversation as its main gimmick, marking a unique moment in rock and roll during the 1950s. This playful track brings to life a flirtatious phone call, showcasing the charm and novelty of using technology to bridge emotional and physical distance long before the digital era.

22. “Telephone Line” by Electric Light Orchestra

“Telephone Line” by Electric Light Orchestra wraps melancholy in a synth-loaded track, depicting the heartache of a one-sided phone conversation. This rock ballad evokes the emotional turmoil of reaching out to someone who might not be there, capturing the essence of longing and the pain of unanswered calls.

23. “Hanging on the Telephone” by The Nerves

“Hanging on the Telephone” by The Nerves captures the punk rock energy and the sheer desperation of waiting for a phone call. This alternative track resonates with the angst and anticipation of hoping to hear from someone, encapsulating the intense emotions tied to the act of waiting by the phone.

24. “Beechwood 4-5789” by The Marvelettes

“Beechwood 4-5789” by The Marvelettes cleverly uses a phone number as an invitation for love, making it a standout song in the Motown and soul genres. This classic track unpacks a simple story of seeking connection through a direct line, embodying the hopeful and straightforward approach to romance prevalent in its era.

25. “634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)” by Wilson Pickett

“634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)” by Wilson Pickett became an anthem for phone-based romantic endeavors, celebrated in the realms of soul and rhythm and blues. This song captures the excitement and anticipation of making that connection through a telephone number, encapsulating the spirit of an era where a simple call could spark something new and thrilling.

26. “Party Line” by The Kinks

“Party Line” by The Kinks offers a critique on the invasion of privacy through the lens of shared phone lines prevalent in the past. This rock song from the 1960s humorously addresses the frustrations and peculiarities of having to share a telephone line, highlighting issues of privacy and communication in a bygone era.

27. “No Phone” by Cake

“No Phone” by Cake presents an interpretation of society’s overwhelming reliance on phones, expressed through the unique lens of alternative rock and indie music. The song serves as a commentary on the isolating effects technology can have, despite its intended purpose to connect us, showcasing Cake’s insightful critique on modern communication habits.

28. “Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes” by Chuck Willis

“Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes” by Chuck Willis reflects on the metaphorical use of a phone call to signify personal change within the realms of R&B and rock and roll. This song cleverly intertwines the concepts of ending a musical career with the act of hanging up the phone, symbolizing a farewell to a significant chapter in life.