Calling America
| Calling America | |
|---|---|
| Electric Light Orchestra | |
| publication | January 1986 (single) |
| length | 3:28 |
| Genre (s) | Pop , rock |
| Author (s) | Jeff Lynne |
| Producer (s) | Jeff Lynne |
| album | Balance of power |
Calling America is a song written by Jeff Lynne , performed by the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and released as a single from their 1986 album Balance of Power . It was their 20th and final top 40 hit single in the US .
Origin and content
The song was written and produced by Jeff Lynne . Like most songs on Balance of Power, the song is musically quite accessible and pop-oriented . In terms of text, the piece takes up a similar theme to ELO's earlier Single Telephone Line , in which the narrator longs for a loved one with whom he has contact over the phone. At Calling America , however, the lover had apparently previously traveled to Los Angeles ( a place like heaven ) in the USA with a Boeing 747 , and the protagonist is now trying to keep in touch via a satellite-supported telephone connection, which turns out to be sometimes difficult since he does not “get through” the “message”. It is therefore also about the negative sides of the modern way of life and means of communication, which is also reflected in the repeated phrase “yeah we're living in, in a modern world”.
Publication and reception
The single was released in January 1986 on Jet Records or Columbia Records, depending on the country . There was also a British twelve-inch, three-track version on Epic Records with Destination Unknown as the B-side. Calling America reached 31st place in Germany and 22nd place in Austria , 28th place in the United Kingdom and 18th place in the USA as well as top 40 placements in various other countries.
A music video was also shot for the song. The piece was part of the soundtrack of the film Larry Crowne in 2011 .
Playlists
All songs were written by Jeff Lynne .
- 7 "
- Calling America - 3:28
- Caught in a Trap - 3:43
- US 12 "
- Calling America - 3:28
- Caught in a Trap - 3:43
- Endless Lies - 2:54
- UK 12 "
- Calling America - 3:28
- Caught in a Trap - 3:43
- Destination Unknown - 4:10
Individual evidence
- ↑ ELO - Calling America , songtexte.com
- ↑ a b E.LO - Calling America , hitparade.ch