Although this was a big hit for Blondie in 1978, it was actually first recorded by The Nerves, who released it on their one and only EP, in 1976. The song was written by the band’s guitarist Jack Lee.
It was picked up by Blondie, it reached #5 on the UK singles chart. It was Blondie’s second release from the Parallel Lines album on the Chrysalis label
When Debbie Harry rang asking Lee if she could record this song, Lee readily agreed and the rest was history. Jack Lee said the call couldn’t have come at a better time. “I remember the day vividly,” he recalled. “It was a Friday. They were going to cut off our electricity at six o’clock, the phone too.”
From Songfacts
Lee regretted his own version was never a hit, but said he always knew it was a special song: “Even people who hated me – and there were plenty – had to admit it was great.”
The song has subsequently been covered by many acts. These include UK girl band Girls Aloud and Def Leppard, who in 2006, both released covers of the song, on a limited edition bonus disc to The Sound of Girls Aloud and on Yeah! respectively.
Hanging On The Telephone Line
I’m in the phone booth, it’s the one across the hall
If you don’t answer, I’ll just ring it off the wall
I know he’s there, but I just had to call
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone
I heard your mother, now she’s going out the door
Did she go to work or just go to the store?
All those things she said, I told you to ignore
Oh, why can’t we talk again?
Oh, why can’t we talk again?
Oh, why can’t we talk again?
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone
It’s good to hear your voice, you know it’s been so long
If I don’t get your calls, then everything goes wrong
I want to tell you something you’ve known all along
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone
I had to interrupt and stop this conversation
Your voice across the line gives me a strange sensation
I’d like to talk when I can show you my affection
Oh, I can’t control myself
Oh, I can’t control myself
Oh, I can’t control myself
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone
Hang up and run to me
Whoa, hang up and run to me
Whoa, hang up and run to me
Whoa, hang up and run to me
Whoa oh oh oh, run to me
Another song I had no idea was a cover…
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You are not the only one… I like it though…a little rawer but I love Blondies version also.
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Yeah Blondie didn’t change much, just gave it a little more gloss
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no oil in the tank, no food in the closet, your heart is in the soup, the landlord is screaming at the door, what do you do, get on your knees, there has to be blond out there, then debbie harry rings you, fill the fridge kid, you have credit, great story to the song, reminds me of the story of many great songs, thanks.
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It seems sometimes a windfall comes at the nick of time.
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I’ve had a few of those moments, but it seems to work out, i am reading the bio of Roy Orbison, a great read, recommended, the history of rock and roll is in there, amen
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Thank you. I have a long commute to work and I go through audio books like drinking water. I was about to comment on the Charles Dickens audio book that you posted…I might try both…thank you again.
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cheers
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somehow I didn’t know that was a cover even though I have the Blondie album. The original was good, like you have said, pretty close to Blondie’s take on it.
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It was a good version of it…actually it shold have been a hit also…it was just a little rawer
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I am still waiting for Debbie Harry to Call Me.
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Oh yes…call me anytime
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