Operator, well, let’s forget about this call
There’s no one there I really wanted to talk to
Thank you for your time
Oh, you’ve been so much more than kind
You can keep the dime
But isn’t that the way they say it goes
Well, let’s forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell them I’m fine and to show
I’ve overcome the blow, I’ve learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn’t real but that’s not the way it feels
Jan lays down and wrestles in her sleep
Moonlight spills on comic books
And superstars in magazines
An old friend calls and tells us where to meet
Her plane takes off from Baltimore
And touches down on Bourbon Street
We sit outside and argue all night long
About a god we’ve never seen
But never fails to side with me
Sunday comes and all the papers say
Ma Teresa’s joined the mob
And happy with her full time job
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
I’ve been downhearted baby,
I’ve been down–I’ve been downhearted baby,
Ever since the day we met
Ever since the day we met
I’ve been downhearted baby,
I’ve been down–I’ve been downhearted baby,
Ever since the day we met
Ever since the day we met
Am I alive or thoughts that drift away?
Does summer come for everyone?
Can humans do as prophets say?
And if I die before I learn to speak
Can money pay for all the days I lived awake
But half asleep?
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
A life is time, they teach you growing up
The seconds ticking killed us all
A million years before the fall
You ride the waves and don’t ask where they go
You swim like lions through the crest
And bathe yourself on zebra flesh
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
I’ve been downhearted baby,
I’ve been downhearted baby,
Ever since the day we met
Ever since the day we met
This is what happens when Superman calls Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen answers.
Angry that he missed his train he flailed to realize that the next one was just over the Verizon.
A smooth operator would’ve taken a moment to collect himself.
WHAT, you’re breaking up!
A homeless man uses this number on this pay-phone for his friends to call him. But only after a week of using this number other people call him too.
AAAAAAAHHHHH TELEMARKETERS!
Here’s a quarter, call someone with superglue.
What the devil is that archaic thing?
I cant understand why all my calls always get cut off in the middle
We’ve been disconnected
Finally, a payphone Jay Leno can use.
If you would like to make a call, please hang up and try again
Look’s like Neo will have to find another way out of the Matrix.
How old is this picture? I have not seen a pay phone in years…
I got nuttin’, so my vote goes to Grog:
“This is what happens when Superman calls Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen answers.”
Long distance information give me Memphis, Tennessee
Help me find the party that tried to get in touch with me
She could not leave a number but I know who placed the call
’cause my uncle took a message and he wrote it on the wall
Help me information get in touch with my Marie
She’s the only one who’d call me here from Memphis, Tennessee
Her home is on the south side, high up on the ridge
Just a half-a-mile from the Mississippi bridge
Last time I saw Marie she was wavin’ me goodbye
With “hurry home” drops on her cheek that trickled from her eye
But we were pulled apart because her Mom did not agree
And tore apart our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee
Help me information, more than that I cannot add
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had
Marie is only six years old, information please
Try to put me through to her in Memphis, Tennessee
Try phoning Collect now @sshole. Haaa! $30.21 for every one of those armored handsets.
AAAH (St. Louisan)Chuck Berry, DJ. Thanks for the refresher. I think “Memphis” predated “My Ding-a-Ling” BTW!
Chuck Berry’s music is so humanly basic that you can’t READ it without achieving that building and returning rock-and-roll progression that emanates both from and into our innards.
“…without achieving that building and returning rock-and-roll progression that emanates…”
Question: Would it help me to be drinking when I read Johnc’s comments?
I don’t drink, but this year has given me several new reasons to consider starting including that ^.
Top of my head, guys, as far as the description of C.B’s original rock-and-roll chord progressions that start at a base chord/note, build to the fifth chord/note of that key, then the seventh chord/note, THEN back to the first and start over. I always think “Johnny B. Goode” and you’ll hear identical progression in a million rock songs:
“Deep down in louisiana, close to New Orleans; way back up in the pines and the evergreens”–Base (maybe an E)
“In a log cabin made of earth and wood; there lived a country boy named Johnny B Goode.”–5th of E is an A
“who never ever learned to read or write so well; but he could play a guitar like a ringin’ a bell-7th is B and at the end of the line you return to E to start the next verse or chorus. It builds, then starts over. Hear it?
NOW, here’s the real beauty of it all and a key to the birth of rock and roll with electric guitar as its guts.–The E chord fingered on a guitar is “slid” up to the FIFTH fret and fingered exactly the same, only you use your index finger to “BAR” the fifth fret across all six strings creating a full A chord– a POWER chord. Same with the B chord at the SEVENTH fret; then back down to the E. That’s why it is key for a rocker to learn a basic E chord using his last 3 fingers to keep the index finger ready as a bar on up the neck. Watch any rhythm guitarist.
I’m tellin’ you guys–I’ve never had formal lessons but I’ve been jammin’ that kinda pattern for 35 years and it never gets old–TO ME or whoever is drummin’ bassin., singin’–pure amateur fun.
“from and into our innards” To me it’s musical primal scream right to the soul.
And Jonco, a beverage DOES help, tho I cut waay back after cancer. I don’t have so much Bud room anymore.
I’ve shown several waves of kids thru my basement these licks. Works on “Smoke on the Water”, “louie, Louie”, “Wild Thing”, “Barbara Ann, “Don’t bring Me Down”, on and on and on. Most of these kids have had lessons, but not that one yet.
I’m sorry to take this so far afield, but I felt I should explain my fascination with the evolution, crucial evolution of Chuck Berry’s music. The guy is still about town isn’t he Jonco. When I worked in Wentzville, one of Chuck’s area residences, some of the autoworkers there told me you might bump into him anytime sittin’ at a local joint. I stayed at a new motel right across the street from his shuttered DISreputable (alleged peeping)roadhouse there. I never looked for him nor saw him, but I’ll always admire is talent. BTW, “Memphis” follows a very similar arrangement. “My Ding=a=Ling”, (which was my lame reference to the phone thread)–not so much!
And Scott,
Like you, very few people ever manage to put the words together (to the music)as chuck Berry does. It really WAS great to read DJ’s comment–soo poetic.
Johnc, I’m not quite sure exactly what you said. Once again it leaves me sitting here scratching on my head. I sometimes don’t read it all when someone writes a lot. Maybe it’s a compliment or maybe it is not. I also just now read what DJ had to say. It got to me a little bit, I wiped a tear away. As I read his last line there it kinda got me sad. Someday that might my phone call to my own kids from their dad.
I hear you Scott. Those are the words of Mr. Chuck Berry, whose musical innovation is the stuff of my very young life, having older brothers. I’m a dad too and the son of a separated marriage so that song, “Memphis” can be very personal to me, too.
If I didn’t have something good to say, I’d probably not say anything, but I do understand the “backhandedness”, or complete incomprehensibility often of my praise. Just like everyone here, I admire your quick wit and singularly unique use of words.
That’s all. I wish I could bring your clarity, brevity= the soul of wit.
I’ve tried puns and poetry and anagrams of “Bits and Pieces” and songs and palendromes. Sometimes I wonder if it pleases anyone but me, so I’m glad to hear you say that my efforts are amusing to some in some weird way. I wish I played an instrument just as you inquired. Maybe guitar I’ll learn to play, I’ve just never been inspired.
Ah crap I wish that I could edit in this space. Some words I’ve used up there are a little out of place. Anyway it’s getting late and this has been quite fun. I need to try to get to sleep before I see the sun.
Jonco – Yes.
TO WIT! Ha! From experience, DJ?
How bout another Chuck line, then:
“Papa said son you gonna drive me to drinkin’
If ya don’t stop drivin’ that hot – rod – Lincoln.”
That Memphis really DID hit me just right, sooo…
……you started it. BTW, why, may I ask, did THAT come to you? Been well done by Trini Lopez, Johnny Rivers, Charley Pride…..
Scott,
Rest assured your comments (puns) are excellent and very much appreciated!
Don’t know if anyone’s here anymore maybe it’s too late. Let me see if I understand, let me get this straight. I guess these rhymes aren’t very recommended. You like those other things instead? The puns I have intended?
Well Scott, you are definitely the pun king, so don’t give up on those. But, I also enjoy the poems, anagrams, palindromes, and songs. Keep up the good work.
Well thank you Gary and your words that I have read. Perhaps it’s time to move along I’ve gone off topic on this thread. And also thanks to the others who have spoken. But I’ll admit that none of this pertains to a pay phone that is broken.
Can you shear me now.
I guess somebody couldn’t handle it.
Operator, well, let’s forget about this call
There’s no one there I really wanted to talk to
Thank you for your time
Oh, you’ve been so much more than kind
You can keep the dime
But isn’t that the way they say it goes
Well, let’s forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell them I’m fine and to show
I’ve overcome the blow, I’ve learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn’t real but that’s not the way it feels
Jan lays down and wrestles in her sleep
Moonlight spills on comic books
And superstars in magazines
An old friend calls and tells us where to meet
Her plane takes off from Baltimore
And touches down on Bourbon Street
We sit outside and argue all night long
About a god we’ve never seen
But never fails to side with me
Sunday comes and all the papers say
Ma Teresa’s joined the mob
And happy with her full time job
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
I’ve been downhearted baby,
I’ve been down–I’ve been downhearted baby,
Ever since the day we met
Ever since the day we met
I’ve been downhearted baby,
I’ve been down–I’ve been downhearted baby,
Ever since the day we met
Ever since the day we met
Am I alive or thoughts that drift away?
Does summer come for everyone?
Can humans do as prophets say?
And if I die before I learn to speak
Can money pay for all the days I lived awake
But half asleep?
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
A life is time, they teach you growing up
The seconds ticking killed us all
A million years before the fall
You ride the waves and don’t ask where they go
You swim like lions through the crest
And bathe yourself on zebra flesh
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
Do do do do doo do…Do do do do doo do…
I’ve been downhearted baby,
I’ve been downhearted baby,
Ever since the day we met
Ever since the day we met
This is what happens when Superman calls Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen answers.
Angry that he missed his train he flailed to realize that the next one was just over the Verizon.
A smooth operator would’ve taken a moment to collect himself.
WHAT, you’re breaking up!
A homeless man uses this number on this pay-phone for his friends to call him. But only after a week of using this number other people call him too.
AAAAAAAHHHHH TELEMARKETERS!
Here’s a quarter, call someone with superglue.
What the devil is that archaic thing?
I cant understand why all my calls always get cut off in the middle
We’ve been disconnected
Finally, a payphone Jay Leno can use.
If you would like to make a call, please hang up and try again
Look’s like Neo will have to find another way out of the Matrix.
How old is this picture? I have not seen a pay phone in years…
I got nuttin’, so my vote goes to Grog:
“This is what happens when Superman calls Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen answers.”
Long distance information give me Memphis, Tennessee
Help me find the party that tried to get in touch with me
She could not leave a number but I know who placed the call
’cause my uncle took a message and he wrote it on the wall
Help me information get in touch with my Marie
She’s the only one who’d call me here from Memphis, Tennessee
Her home is on the south side, high up on the ridge
Just a half-a-mile from the Mississippi bridge
Last time I saw Marie she was wavin’ me goodbye
With “hurry home” drops on her cheek that trickled from her eye
But we were pulled apart because her Mom did not agree
And tore apart our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee
Help me information, more than that I cannot add
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had
Marie is only six years old, information please
Try to put me through to her in Memphis, Tennessee
Try phoning Collect now @sshole. Haaa! $30.21 for every one of those armored handsets.
AAAH (St. Louisan)Chuck Berry, DJ. Thanks for the refresher. I think “Memphis” predated “My Ding-a-Ling” BTW!
Chuck Berry’s music is so humanly basic that you can’t READ it without achieving that building and returning rock-and-roll progression that emanates both from and into our innards.
“…without achieving that building and returning rock-and-roll progression that emanates…”
Question: Would it help me to be drinking when I read Johnc’s comments?
I don’t drink, but this year has given me several new reasons to consider starting including that ^.
Top of my head, guys, as far as the description of C.B’s original rock-and-roll chord progressions that start at a base chord/note, build to the fifth chord/note of that key, then the seventh chord/note, THEN back to the first and start over. I always think “Johnny B. Goode” and you’ll hear identical progression in a million rock songs:
“Deep down in louisiana, close to New Orleans; way back up in the pines and the evergreens”–Base (maybe an E)
“In a log cabin made of earth and wood; there lived a country boy named Johnny B Goode.”–5th of E is an A
“who never ever learned to read or write so well; but he could play a guitar like a ringin’ a bell-7th is B and at the end of the line you return to E to start the next verse or chorus. It builds, then starts over. Hear it?
NOW, here’s the real beauty of it all and a key to the birth of rock and roll with electric guitar as its guts.–The E chord fingered on a guitar is “slid” up to the FIFTH fret and fingered exactly the same, only you use your index finger to “BAR” the fifth fret across all six strings creating a full A chord– a POWER chord. Same with the B chord at the SEVENTH fret; then back down to the E. That’s why it is key for a rocker to learn a basic E chord using his last 3 fingers to keep the index finger ready as a bar on up the neck. Watch any rhythm guitarist.
I’m tellin’ you guys–I’ve never had formal lessons but I’ve been jammin’ that kinda pattern for 35 years and it never gets old–TO ME or whoever is drummin’ bassin., singin’–pure amateur fun.
“from and into our innards” To me it’s musical primal scream right to the soul.
And Jonco, a beverage DOES help, tho I cut waay back after cancer. I don’t have so much Bud room anymore.
I’ve shown several waves of kids thru my basement these licks. Works on “Smoke on the Water”, “louie, Louie”, “Wild Thing”, “Barbara Ann, “Don’t bring Me Down”, on and on and on. Most of these kids have had lessons, but not that one yet.
I’m sorry to take this so far afield, but I felt I should explain my fascination with the evolution, crucial evolution of Chuck Berry’s music. The guy is still about town isn’t he Jonco. When I worked in Wentzville, one of Chuck’s area residences, some of the autoworkers there told me you might bump into him anytime sittin’ at a local joint. I stayed at a new motel right across the street from his shuttered DISreputable (alleged peeping)roadhouse there. I never looked for him nor saw him, but I’ll always admire is talent. BTW, “Memphis” follows a very similar arrangement. “My Ding=a=Ling”, (which was my lame reference to the phone thread)–not so much!
And Scott,
Like you, very few people ever manage to put the words together (to the music)as chuck Berry does. It really WAS great to read DJ’s comment–soo poetic.
Johnc, I’m not quite sure exactly what you said. Once again it leaves me sitting here scratching on my head. I sometimes don’t read it all when someone writes a lot. Maybe it’s a compliment or maybe it is not. I also just now read what DJ had to say. It got to me a little bit, I wiped a tear away. As I read his last line there it kinda got me sad. Someday that might my phone call to my own kids from their dad.
I hear you Scott. Those are the words of Mr. Chuck Berry, whose musical innovation is the stuff of my very young life, having older brothers. I’m a dad too and the son of a separated marriage so that song, “Memphis” can be very personal to me, too.
If I didn’t have something good to say, I’d probably not say anything, but I do understand the “backhandedness”, or complete incomprehensibility often of my praise. Just like everyone here, I admire your quick wit and singularly unique use of words.
That’s all. I wish I could bring your clarity, brevity= the soul of wit.
I’ve tried puns and poetry and anagrams of “Bits and Pieces” and songs and palendromes. Sometimes I wonder if it pleases anyone but me, so I’m glad to hear you say that my efforts are amusing to some in some weird way. I wish I played an instrument just as you inquired. Maybe guitar I’ll learn to play, I’ve just never been inspired.
Ah crap I wish that I could edit in this space. Some words I’ve used up there are a little out of place. Anyway it’s getting late and this has been quite fun. I need to try to get to sleep before I see the sun.
Jonco – Yes.
TO WIT! Ha! From experience, DJ?
How bout another Chuck line, then:
“Papa said son you gonna drive me to drinkin’
If ya don’t stop drivin’ that hot – rod – Lincoln.”
That Memphis really DID hit me just right, sooo…
……you started it. BTW, why, may I ask, did THAT come to you? Been well done by Trini Lopez, Johnny Rivers, Charley Pride…..
Scott,
Rest assured your comments (puns) are excellent and very much appreciated!
Don’t know if anyone’s here anymore maybe it’s too late. Let me see if I understand, let me get this straight. I guess these rhymes aren’t very recommended. You like those other things instead? The puns I have intended?
Well Scott, you are definitely the pun king, so don’t give up on those. But, I also enjoy the poems, anagrams, palindromes, and songs. Keep up the good work.
Well thank you Gary and your words that I have read. Perhaps it’s time to move along I’ve gone off topic on this thread. And also thanks to the others who have spoken. But I’ll admit that none of this pertains to a pay phone that is broken.
Communication breakdown.