Music Review: Lady Gaga & Beyonce "Telephone"

Lady Gaga & Beyonce

Telephone

Album: The Fame Monster

Year: 2010

                 Lady Gaga wants to be alone for a little while in the electric   “Telephone.”

                 Weary synths open the single, setting a tired tone. It’s the fourth time Gaga’s boyfriend has called tonight. She rolls her eyes and answers. As he asks her how she is, she talks over him, telling him there’s a lot of static and oh my, the signal just dropped! She puts her telephone in her pocket and heads to the dancefloor. She can’t miss dancing to her current favorite song. Now her boyfriend decides to call? He had all week to confirm any plans and talk with her. She doesn’t want to deal with it right now. (“Hello, hello, baby/You called, I can't hear a thing/I have got no service/In the club, you say, you say?/Wha-wha-what did you say?/Oh, you're breaking up on me/Sorry, I cannot hear you/I'm kind of busy/Kind of busy/Kind of busy/Sorry, I cannot hear you, I'm kind of busy/Just a second/It's my favorite song they're going to play/And I cannot text you with/A drink in my hand, eh/You should've made some plans with me/You knew that I was free/And now you won't stop calling me/I'm kind of busy.”)

                  In the chorus, she can feel her phone vibrate. Finally, she goes to settings and turns the vibrate function off. Right now, she wants to enjoy herself without anyone bothering her. It can all go to voicemail. (“Stop calling, stop calling/I don't want to think anymore/I've got my head and my heart on the dance floor/Stop calling, stop calling/I don't want to talk anymore/I've got my head and my heart on the dance floor/Stop telephoning me/I'm busy/Stop telephoning me/Can call all you want/But there's no one home/And you're not going to reach my telephone/Out in the club/And I'm sipping that bub/And you're not going to reach my telephone/Call all you want/But there's no one home/And you're not going to reach my telephone/Out in the club/And I'm sipping that bub/And you're not going to reach my telephone.”)

                      Beyonce tells Gaga that he’s only pushing her away. Talking to him has become a chore and something she dreads. Gaga says she’s just annoyed. It’s not that bad. She just needs peace and quiet. Beyonce shuts off her phone. All day she’s either talking with clients or Facebooking her friends. She has to get away from it. (“Boy, the way you blowing up my phone/Won't make me leave no faster/Put my coat on faster/Leave my girls no faster/I should've left my phone at home/’Cause this is a disaster/Calling like a collector/Sorry, I cannot answer/Not that I don't like you/I'm just at a party/And I am sick and tired/Of my phone r-ringing/Sometimes I feel like/I live in Grand Central Station/Tonight I'm not taking no calls/’Cause I'll be dancing/’Cause I'll be dancing/’Cause I'll be dancing/Tonight I'm not taking no calls ’cause I'll be dancing.”)

                    The chorus is sung again, with Beyonce joining in.

                      In the final section, Gaga and Beyonce sing part of the chorus. (“My telephone/M-m-my telephone/’Cause I'm out in the club/And I'm sipping that bub/And you're not going to reach my telephone/My telephone/M-m-my telephone/’Cause I'm out in the club/And I'm sipping that bub/And you're not going reach my telephone.”)

                      At the end, a polite female automated voice tells everyone that the phone number is unreachable. (“We're sorry/The number you have reached is not in service at this time/Please check the number or try your call again.”)

                         Gaga can’t take it anymore. Every single time he pulls it. She needs some to unwind. She and her friends go out, forget about their lives for a couple hours and return home. She’s relieved to have some time to herself.

                   Beyonce, on the other hand, holds back. Usually dominating (Alicia Keys’ “Put It In A Love Song”) or equal (“Beautiful Liar” with Shakira), she’s surprisingly submissive. Here, she’s adjusting her vocal style to match Gaga’s. She takes a supporting role, which given her stature, adds something special to the song.

                    The brilliant “Telephone” is a great stress reliever for anyone who has to deal with people in general.