Telephone Thing

The Fall

About Telephone Thing

"Telephone Thing" is a song by British post-punk band the Fall, written by Mark E. Smith with Coldcut members Matt Black and Jonathan More. Produced and mixed by Coldcut, it was released as a single in January 1990 and reached number 58 on the UK singles chart. It also featured on the Fall's twelfth album, Extricate.


Year:
2004
4:10
68 
#1

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I hear you Telephone Thing listening in
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in

How dare you assume I want to parlez-vous with you?
Sorry to be so short with you 
But I'm tapped 
But I'm tapped 

I hear you Telephone Thing listening in
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in 

The use of and your smug advertisements
of your tendril ocean bed achievements does not 
justify your abuse of privacy piracy act 

I hear you Telephone Thing listening in
I feel you Telephone Thing listening in 

How dare you assume I want to parlez-vous with you?
You Gretchen Franklin nosey matron thing 

I hear you Telephone Thing listening in 
Sense you 
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in 
How dare you assume I want to parlez-vous with you?
You Gretchen Franklin nosey matron type 

Does the Home Secretary have the barest faintest inkling of what's going down? 
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in 

The use of and your amug advertisements
Of your tendril ocean bed achievements does not justify your abuse of privacy piracy act 

I hear you Telephone Thing listening in 
I do you Telephone Thing listening in 

How dare you assume I want to parlez-vous with you
You Gretchen Franklin thing 

I hear you Telephone Thing listening in 
Sense you 
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in 
Sense you 
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in 

How dare you assume I want to parlez-vous with you? 
I'm tapped 
I hear you Telephone Thing listening in 
I HEAR YOU TELEPHONE THING

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The Fall

The Fall are an English post-punk band, formed in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, in 1976. With an ever-changing line up, the group essentially consists of its founder and only constant member, Mark E. Smith, who has said "If it's me and your granny on bongos, then it's [the] Fall". First associated with the late 1970s punk movement, the band's music has evolved through numerous stylistic changes, often concurrently with changes in the group's membership. The Fall's music is characterised by repetition, an abrasive guitar-driven sound, and is always underpinned by Smith's often cryptic lyrics, described by critic Steve Huey as "abstract poetry filled with complicated wordplay, bone-dry wit, cutting social observations, and general misanthropy." more »

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Written by: JONATHAN RICHARD MORE, MARK EDWARD SMITH, MATT BLACK

Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Background
"Telephone Thing" is a song by the English post-punk band "The Fall". It was released as a single in 1990.
Style and influence
The track represents a sonic departure for The Fall. It sees them embracing a more dance-oriented approach influenced by Hip Hop and Acid House music.
Chart Performance
The single charted at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart, serving as the lead single for The Fall's 13th studio album "Extricate".
Musical Collaboration
"Telephone Thing" features a distinctive production style due to the involvement of British production duo, Coldcut, who were known for their experimental approach and use of samples.
Political Influence
The lyrics to "Telephone Thing" were allegedly influenced by lead singer Mark E. Smith's paranoia about phone-tapping and state surveillance.
Music Video
The accompanying music video for "Telephone Thing" is noted for being one of The Fall's most professional-looking; it features the band members performing the song in a ringing phone booth.
Reception
The song has been well-received by fans and critics, with its combination of post-punk elements and electronic dance influences hailed as an example of The Fall's stylistic versatility.
Album Contribution
"Telephone Thing" is considered to be a standout track on its parent album "Extricate", which itself is viewed as a high point in The Fall's discography.
Live Performances
Even though Smith was known for frequently restructuring The Fall's lineup, "Telephone Thing" remained a constant feature in the band's live shows until his death in 2018.
Lyrics Interpretation
On a wider level, "Telephone Thing" is thought to metaphorically speak to the common feeling of societal invasion of personal space.

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    "Telephone Thing Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/7054706/The+Fall/Telephone+Thing>.

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