Wrong Number
Dialing Desires: The Hidden Messages Behind 'Wrong Number'
Lyrics
Telephone down the hall
Refers to a telephone located down the hall.
Dark and dusty on a dirty wall
Describes the telephone area as dark, dusty, and with a dirty wall.
Funky number scratched up above
Indicates a funky number scratched on or near the telephone.
Call this number if you need some love
Suggests calling the specified number for love.
Another number that's hard to read
Refers to another number that is difficult to read.
Fools 'round here call it endlessly
Mentions that people around here call this number endlessly.
But I know better, just leave it alone
Expresses the narrator's decision to leave the number alone despite others' actions.
Sugar man sellin' dreams on the phone
Describes a person, possibly a scam artist, selling dreams over the phone.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh wrong number
Repeats "wrong number" in a singing manner, emphasizing a mistake.
Don't cha do it, no don't cha do it
Advises against taking a certain action.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh wrong number
Repeats the warning against a particular action.
Don't cha do it, no don't cha do it
Reiterates the advice not to do something.
Oh oh that sugar it ain't worth the price
Suggests that the promised rewards from the "sugar man" are not worth the cost.
Another day out in the streets
Moves to another scene, describing a day in the streets.
The rollers drag another man to his feet
Depicts law enforcement ("rollers") detaining someone.
Take him to jail, to city hall
Describes the process of taking the detained person to jail and city hall.
Sugar man puts a cross on his wall
Connects the detained person to the "sugar man" who puts a cross on his wall, implying a criminal connection.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh wrong number
Repeats "wrong number" in a musical manner, maintaining the theme of a mistake.
Don't cha do it, no don't cha do it
Repeats the warning not to take a specific action.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh wrong number
Reiterates the advice against a particular action.
Don't cha do it, no don't cha do it
Repeats the caution not to do something.
Oh oh that sugar it ain't worth the price
Restates that the promised rewards from the "sugar man" are not worth the price.
They keep on callin' the man day and night
Describes persistent calls to the man day and night.
Mercedes pulls up, they all gather 'round
Depicts a scene where a Mercedes arrives, and people gather around.
They flash their cash as the window rolls down
Describes a transaction involving flashing cash as the car window rolls down.
Then they run, run and hide
Depicts a scene where individuals run and hide after the transaction.
Back to their room for a warm sugar ride
Suggests a return to a private space for a pleasurable experience related to the "sugar."
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