Lyrics: Ring Ring (U.S. Remix)
I was sitting by the phone
I was waiting all alone
Baby by myself I sit and wait and wonder about you
It’s a dark and dreary night
Seems like nothing’s going right
Won’t you tell me, honey, how can I go on here without you?
Yes, I’m down and feeling blue
And I don’t know what to do, oh-oh
Ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call?
Ring, ring, the happiest sound of them all
Ring, ring, I stare at the phone on the wall
And I sit all alone impatiently
Won’t you please understand the need in me
So, ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call?
Oh, ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call?
You were here and now you’re gone
Hey, did I do something wrong?
I just can’t believe that I could be so badly mistaken
Was it me or was it you?
Tell me, are we really through?
Won’t you hear me cry and you will know that my heart is breaking
Please forgive and then forget
Or maybe darling better yet, oh-oh
Ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call?
Ring, ring, the happiest sound of them all
Ring, ring, I stare at the phone on the wall
And I sit all alone impatiently
Won’t you please understand the need in me
So, ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call?
Oh, ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call?
Oh-oh, ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call?
So, ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call?
Oh-oh, ring, ring, why don’t you…
Exploring the Heartfelt Longing in “Ring Ring (U.S. Remix)”
The Agony of Waiting
“Ring Ring (U.S. Remix)” by ABBA beautifully captures the emotional turmoil of waiting for a loved one to reach out. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone sitting by the phone, surrounded by darkness, feeling abandoned and unsure. This sense of anticipation and longing is universal, resonating with anyone who has waited anxiously for a call that never comes. The repetition of “ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call?” emphasizes the desperation and hope that a single phone call could bring happiness and relief.
Self-Doubt and Regret
The song delves deeper into the narrator’s emotional state as they question what went wrong. Lines like “Hey, did I do something wrong?” and “Was it me or was it you?” express the confusion and self-doubt that often follow a breakup or period of silence. The narrator’s vulnerability is palpable, revealing a heart that is breaking and longing for forgiveness, reconciliation, or even just closure.
The Simplicity of Connection
At its core, “Ring Ring (U.S. Remix)” is about the basic human need for connection. The ringing of the phone becomes a symbol of hope—a simple sound that carries the promise of renewed happiness. The lyrics highlight how something as ordinary as a phone call can mean everything to someone who is feeling lonely and misunderstood. ABBA’s catchy melody and heartfelt delivery make the song both relatable and enduring, inviting listeners to reflect on their own moments of longing and hope.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson
Release Year: 1973
Label: Polar Music / Atlantic Records (U.S. release)