Mechanical Telephone

Janis Ian

Dark night but there's plenty to believe in...
Why'd you have to let her touch your feelings?
I always gave you everything that you needed
All you had to do was ask -- but you just got greedy

Now the only time we talk is when we talk alone
to the voices that you leave
on your mechanical telephone
Sometimes I call just to hear your voice
set free of the talons and claws,
but the memory I keep
doesn't really let me leave any word at all

You always liked any woman who was easy
Hope you've met your match...but can she beat me?
You always said I'd be the first to walk
You say I'm always the first to talk, but can she free me?

Now we rarely talk alone. We usually speak in groups
to the people you invite
for the theater and a bite who are used to you
They like to listen to their own mouths move
They like to watch your jaw drop, too
but the witticisms fade when the covers
are unmade and I'm so far away

I bet you thought I'd be an easy lay
I bet you thought I lived alone
Hungry for the vision and the afterplay
I've had better times alone

Now we rarely talk of love. We only speak of need
and the sacrifice of life
to the altar and the knife on our mound of greed
I rarely call just to hear your voice,
set free of the pillars and stone
but for the company I keep when I speak
to your mechanical telephone
It's the company I keep when I speak
Your mechanical telephone
The company I keep...

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