Call Me Back

I agree with blackmantis. I really want to know people's analysis though. It's one of my favorite songs on angles by far, it's really different from anything I've heard from The Strokes before. In my opinion it depicts that time when two people are dating and both of them are unsure what the other person feels and they're dodging confronting the fact because they're afraid of the possible rejection. It's one of the most annoying experiences ever.

This is my fav song on the album...

I agree with you guys about the whole relationship thing.

The part where he's says "I hold your phone, don't wake up"... maybe she's sleep and he's checking her phone.

"I hear a voice in the ground".... maybe she lives in an apartment and he can hear people downstairs?...

Made an account specifically so I can write my interpretation of this song. It's one of few that I feel I truly understand. Bear with me, this is purely a literal analysis.

So first thing to note, there are two time periods. The beginning is when there cellphones aren't in popular use. This is signified by how no one has the time. In this early period, both individuals are very much into each other and are eager to meet and both look for each other. They both must look for each other because they dont have possession of cell phones and thus must actually look for each other. But the girl is never on time, thus wait time is the worst and 'someone's' always late

The chorus jumps to the present, in which circumstances have changed and, I guess, 'Julian' has discovered that his girlfriend has been cheating through the possession of her phone. Despite this, there is a futile effort on both parties to reconvene, the intention of which is unclear for both.

He is waiting to see if she will confess to her unfaithfulness and debating whether he should say something instead. However, it is clear to him that she knows he knows. Therefore, there is something she would not like him to tell her.

The next chorus is then in the presence of cellphones, where everyone has the time because they all have phones. The girl does not show up for their meeting, with the excuse that she has already eaten. In this instance 'Julian' looks for the girl through cell phone usage, who blatantly is ignoring his calls or looking away.

Thus, call me back.

Once again, futile effort on 'Julian's part and the dilema about confrontation.

Of course there are emotional complexities involving unrequited attachment. I say attachment rather than love because it does not seem as if 'Julian' himself knows the extent of his emotional involvement with the girl. However, I think the emotional aspect is much more self referential depending on the listener and thusly I will not elaborate further on that point.

IM THE firSt to comment n i feel GREAT:)
this song is super great n i the love the angles album!!!!!
i love the others ones too "Is This It", "Room OF Fire", "First Impressions Of Earth", "Angles" all of them!!! :D I LOVE THE STROKES !!!! =D

Here's what I got:

Wait time is the worst I can hardly sit No one has the time Someone's always late

I look for you And you look for me Wooah, oh, oh, oh, oh

I don't know why I came down I hold your phone Don't wake up I hear a voice In the ground

Tell me, don't tell me The hard part is damning There's something that you would not like me to tell you Tell me, don't tell me The hard part is damning There's something that you would not like me to tell you Tell me, don't tell me The hard part is damning There's something that you would not like me to tell you

Wait time is to blame Mat top frame's a trip We all have the time Someone's always fed I look for you, and you look away Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

I don't know why I came down I hold your phone Don't wake up I hear a voice In the ground

Waking is so much fun to do. (Tell me, don't tell me The hard part is damning There's something that you would not like me to tell you) '80 movie make out party, yeah (Tell me, don't tell me The hard part is damning There's something that you would not like me to tell you)

This is one of my favorite songs off the new album! I think " the hard part is damning" may change to " the hard part is coming" at some point in the song. Not completely sure though!

Tell me, don't tell me The hard part is telling you Something that you would not like me to tell you

i agree with travis an sylvestro jules seems to definitely talk about some insecurity in a relation and the music seems to go with the mood too. "i look for you and you look away" "i don't know why i came down" (traveling to see her) i kind of feel this way about my girlfriend, very relate-able for me at the moment.

Oh yeah....

The chorus part goes...

Tell me, don't tell me, the hard part is telling you something that you are not likely to tell you...

Who writes shit like this???? Julian that's who. F*cking genius..

I love the Strokes!

at first i always thought it sounded like someone who was waiting for news about someone they love in a hospital but now i have seen the lyrics and everyone else comments i see what other people mean... :) i love this song so much.