Expert: Bong Santos - 9/19/2006

Question
Hi!!

I'm searching for an 80s pop song! Ok here it goes:

- sung by a female singer
- refrain is "call me, call me" and eventually added "baby" (but I'm not sure)
- sounds very much 80s synthie pop
- but it's not Blondie - Call Me!! I checked on that.

If you listen to the melody, it's very recognizable! I think it's from the mid of 80s, maybe around 1985 or 1986?? I know it since then, so it was maybe very popular on the radio!

Sorry I don't have any further info on that!! Hope you can help me :) Thanks!!!

Answer
Dear Honey,

CALL ME is a favorite title of songs in the 1980's. Other than BLONDIE's CALL ME, a 1980 No. 1 hit, there are two CALL MEs that hit the chart. Both hit #54 on the Hot 100 on different dates (they are different versions, though).

The first to hit among the two is probably the one you are looking. Let me tell you about the second one, CALL ME by DENNIS DeYOUNG from his BACK TO THE WORLD album, a classic rock ballad in the mold of STYX. It hit #54 on April 26, 1986. The next one is probably your song, popular in the 80s and synth-powered, CALL ME by GO WEST from their BANGS & CRASHES album. It also went to #54 on July 20, 1985.

Here's how it goes. Check if this is the one:

CALL ME / GO WEST

Face to face
My reflection in your eyes
I was scared to say too much
Perfect strangers in perfect worlds apart
Almost close enough to touch
Staring at my shoes
Feeling so confused
Shot down without a gun
Victim of a hit and run
Won't you...

Call me - call me
No time to hesitate - we must communicate
Call me - call me
Won't you call this number now

Mesmerised
I go back to where we met
A reconstruction of the crime
I can't track you down
Nowhere to be found
Now my one shot at success
Is the power of the press
Won't you...

Call me - call me
No time to hesitate - we must communicate
Call me - call me
Won't you call this number now

Worlds apart - we are worlds apart

Watch this space
There's a message here for you
No need to read between the lines
I am inside out
There can be no doubt
I want you and no-one else
Please identify yourself

Call me - call me
No time to hesitate - we must communicate
Call me - call me
Won't you call this number now.

Maraming salamat po!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines