Try and breathe some life into a letter
Losing hope, never be together
My courage is at it's peak
You know what I mean

How do say you're okay to
An answering machine?
How do you say good night to
An answering machine?

Big town's got its losers
Small town's got its vices
A handful of friends
One needs a match, one needs some ice

Call-waiting phone in another time zone
How do you say I miss you to
An answering machine?
How do say good night to
An answering machine?

Try and free a slave of ignorance
Try and teach a whore about romance

How do you say I miss you to
An answering machine?
How do you say good night to
An answering machine?
How do you say I'm lonely to
An answering machine?
The message is very plain
Oh, I hate your answering machine
I hate your answering machine
I hate your answering machine
I hate your answering machine


Lyrics submitted by typo, edited by heather152

Answering Machine Lyrics as written by Paul Westerberg

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Answering Machine song meanings
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    General Comment

    my favorite Mats song... well favorite of the moment. The clever lyrics really drive home the point of loneliness. I believe the opening of "Color Me Obsessed" addresses this song and the woman whom Paul was trying to hook up with. She was a photographer that had done some work for a paper or the Mats... one of the fansites addresses this in more detail, perhaps it is colormeimpressed.com

    CapnCanardon November 05, 2013   Link

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