Carl Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 We recently spoke with Alex Call, who wrote the song that became the most famous phone number in the United States. He's a really nice guy and a real interesting story. He was lead singer and rhythm guitarist in the band Clover, which came this close (holds 2 fingers about an inch apart) to hitting it big - they had Mutt Lange producing, a band full of great musicians (including Huey Lewis), a gig backing up Elvis Costello on his first album, and Nick Lowe as a mentor. We had an interesting discussion about song titles that enter the collective conscious, like how all of the sudden there were 5 songs called "Hero." That's what happened with "Power Of Love." He wrote a song with that title, told Huey about it, and the rest is Songhistory. Now, it seems 867-5309 is making a comeback. No longer an incredible annoyance, the number is now coveted because it is quirky and easy to remember. Cingular Wireless makes this point in a new commercial where Jenny gets to keep her phone number. This after a guy with the Manhattan exchange tried to sell it on Ebay. For a good read, check out the Songfacts on these: 867-5309 Power Of Love Little Too Late Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatleant Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Say Carl, I wonder if the comeback had anything to do with this ---> 867-5309/Jenny (from my 'Intromania' guitar lesson Okay, I just wanted to brag about taking the credit :: but the lesson has over 400,000 hits (it's all intros, 20 of them). I LOVE that intro. Say Carl, don't mention it to him about that intro... you know music publishers... but it's a free site and I make no money at all but it does make you wonder IF any intros from that lesson actually made someone buy the album. With that in mind, I hope TT sold some extra albums. :guitar: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costellogirl75 Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 People magazine published the phone numbers for all band members in revenge for all the crank calls to anyone having an 867-5309 phone number. I had a friend named Jenny. She got teased with this song a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCyberdemon Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 Ahh yes, my infamous false id phone number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costellogirl75 Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 I forgot a great Stewie quote from Family Guy. Stewie is trying to call home: "867-5309. Lois? Damn you, Tommy Tutone!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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