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Nick Lowe — Switch Board Susan
Album: Labour of Lust
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 363









Released: 1978
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Switchboard Susan, won't you give me a line?
I need a doctor, give me 999
First time I picked up the telephone
I fell in love with your ringing tone

I'm a long distance romancer
I keep on trying till I get an answer
Gimme gimme one more chance
She's a greater little operator

Switchboard Susan, let me off the hook
I've been this way since you give me your look
Switchboard Susan, you're all the rage
Come on sugar, let's get engaged

I'm a long distance romancer
I keep on trying till I get an answer
Gimme gimme one more chance
She's a greater little operator

Said I'm a long distance romancer
I keep on trying till I get an answer
Gimme gimme one more chance
She's a greater little operator

When I'm near you girl, I get an extension
And I don't mean Alexander Graham Bell's invention
Switchboard Susan, can we be friends?
After six, at weekends

I'm a long distance romancer
I keep on trying till I get an answer
Gimme gimme one more chance
She's a greater little operator

She's a greater little operator

Hey babe, you're number's great
38-27-38
Oh you bring a smile to my dial
Oh you're great, operator's great
Comments (86)add comment
Good god this is miserable
Posted 11 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
eight six seven five three oh nine
Sorry, I know, Nick's a God
 
Yes, another great phone-related tune - Tommy Tutone's "Jenny Jenny/867-5309."

It was a real number and many, many people called it after the song came out.  Needless to say, the owners changed their number.
Posted 11 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
 :+:_DL wrote:
I like Nick Lowe.... but damn this song is stupid. 
 

LOL, yup. 
Posted 11 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
I like Nick Lowe.... but damn this song is stupid. 
Posted 11 years ago by :+:_DL    [ Reply ]
Nick, you are just awesome.  Music when it was fun.  
Posted 11 years ago by flyboy50    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this tune in a long time!
Posted 11 years ago by IndyDoug    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of that 16th Century piece: "Lust's labour's Lost", also probably performed by Nick.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 Bat wrote:


My old roommate used to have the Stiffs Live album.  Wow, I wonder if I can find a copy of that?

That picture makes Nick Lowe look like a giant.  The first thing I noticed when I finally saw him (2 times within the past year) is that he's become a little white haired old man.  Much smaller and older than I had always pictured him in my mind's eye (people don't age in my mind's eye).  He doesn't rock much any more but he still gives a very entertaining show.
 
I would love to find a copy of Live Stiffs, but I've only seen it at ridiculous prices. Elvis' version of Don't Know What to do With Myself is fantastic.
Posted 12 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
Nick Lowe is sixteen types of awesome.
Posted 12 years ago by bhallmark    [ Reply ]
 chasech5 wrote:

A "3" ?

You were being generous. A '1.'
 
I like the song overall, but that whole "Alexander Graham Bell's invention" lyric is painful. Still a good song, a good sound. But hey.
 
Posted 12 years ago by icemang    [ Reply ]
 Huey wrote:

"When I'm near you girl, I get an extension
And I don't mean
Alexander Graham Bell's invention".
You are kidding .... a 3.


 
A "3" ?

You were being generous. A '1.'

Posted 13 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]
A blues-rock classic, well played with plenty of zip. I first heard this played live by the hard-gigging Brit band The Hamsters, and have enjoyed every cover I've heard of it. Who did the original, anyone know? 7 from the toe-tappin' Nottingham jury.
Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
eight six seven five three oh nine
Sorry, I know, Nick's a God
Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
Doctor, doctor, give me the news, I got a bad case of loving you...
Posted 13 years ago by motorichi    [ Reply ]
Any chance you have Lowe's "Marie Provost" in the vault there?  A rare 10 in my book.
Posted 13 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
 Huey wrote:

"When I'm near you girl, I get an extension
And I don't mean
Alexander Graham Bell's invention".
You are kidding .... a 3.
 
C'mon we are not kidding you.... that's a great line in a guilty pleasure song. a solid 7.
Posted 13 years ago by tovarisch    [ Reply ]
 Misterfixit wrote:
Heh this is good. True Story: My mom was a long distance telephone operator back in the 1920's and 30's. She used to put through calls from San Diego to Los Angeles all the time. Used to chat with my dad who was a hotel clerk while he played music in the "pit" at Grauman's Chinese Theater (they had a live orchestra plus the Great Organ in those days). One thing led to another and they were married. 62 years of life together with me, my brother and my sister the result of those long distance calls.
 

Good story.
Posted 13 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

I have a few copies of it. US Version, UK version, one on colored vinyl....
 
 
All of them nailed at the toilet-wall?


Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Another proof why Nick never made it!
He always stops half-way...!

Still a great guy, great guitar player,
and real Rock'n'Roller!

KRAUTROCK!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 Frater_Kork wrote:

Precisely!
I thought it was something hilarious from Southern Culture on the Skids at first.
 
"When I'm near you girl, I get an extension
And I don't mean
Alexander Graham Bell's invention".
You are kidding .... a 3.


Posted 14 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
 Bat wrote:


My old roommate used to have the Stiffs Live album.  Wow, I wonder if I can find a copy of that?

 
I have a few copies of it. US Version, UK version, one on colored vinyl....
 
Available on CD (import only)
 


Posted 14 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:


Here's the official Stiffs Live tour poster from 1909.  Nick, Elvis Costello, Wreckless Eric & Larry Wallis are still going strong 100 years later, but we sadly lost Ian Dury in 2000.

 

My old roommate used to have the Stiffs Live album.  Wow, I wonder if I can find a copy of that?

That picture makes Nick Lowe look like a giant.  The first thing I noticed when I finally saw him (2 times within the past year) is that he's become a little white haired old man.  Much smaller and older than I had always pictured him in my mind's eye (people don't age in my mind's eye).  He doesn't rock much any more but he still gives a very entertaining show.
Posted 14 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
as annoying as it ever was.
Posted 14 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

Yes 1909 was a good year; Taft was President, the Montreal Canadians hockey team was formed, and Nick Lowe was touring. {#Wink}
 

Here's the official Stiffs Live tour poster from 1909.  Nick, Elvis Costello, Wreckless Eric & Larry Wallis are still going strong 100 years later, but we sadly lost Ian Dury in 2000.



Posted 14 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 papaman wrote:
This ranks right up there with 'Sex farm woman' by Spinal Tap.  Love it!
 
Yeah, it's downright quaint!

Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
i love  nick lowe!
Posted 15 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 mrandrew wrote:
Wow.  This brings me back.  I havent heard this in about 100 years.
 
Yes 1909 was a good year; Taft was President, the Montreal Canadians hockey team was formed, and Nick Lowe was touring. {#Wink}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Wow.  This brings me back.  I havent heard this in about 100 years.
Posted 15 years ago by mrandrew    [ Reply ]
 ndad47 wrote:
how can you not like this song. the genius of the lyrics is great. its a lot better than most of the drivel these days that gets played.
 
I agree.  Maybe it's one of those "ya had to be there" kind of songs? {#Cheers}
Posted 15 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
When Labour came out 30 years ago, they actually played this cut first for about a week on Mpls.' AOR station to a collective yawn.  Cruel to be Kind hit the airwaves about a month later, and Nick finally had a hit in the US.  Personally, I think they should have tried Without Love as a 2nd single.
Posted 15 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 sqqqrly wrote:
When I first heard this, I thought he was saying "Sweat Spot Susan"...
 
Precisely!
I thought it was something hilarious from Southern Culture on the Skids at first.
Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
This ranks right up there with 'Sex farm woman' by Spinal Tap.  Love it!

Posted 15 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]
Meh
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
One of the great underrated albums! And great segue from Librarian to Switchboard. The band really kicks on this one.  {#Bananajam}


Posted 15 years ago by alaken    [ Reply ]
Well, at least the operator is well fed....
Posted 16 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Misterfixit wrote:
...me, my brother and my sister the result of those long distance calls.
That's gotta be some phone bill. *slaps knee*
Posted 16 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
a_genuine_find wrote:
I get an extension 7
Posted 16 years ago by JanaJivin    [ Reply ]
I get an extension 7
Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Paulbot wrote:
Me too, I thought it was "Sweat Box Susan"... imagine that
I thought that too - Some interesting lyrics there!
Posted 17 years ago by Sister_Vigilante    [ Reply ]
sqqqrly wrote:
When I first heard this, I thought he was saying "Sweat Spot Susan"...
Me too, I thought it was "Sweat Box Susan"... imagine that
Posted 17 years ago by Paulbot    [ Reply ]
When I first heard this, I thought he was saying "Sweat Spot Susan"...
Posted 17 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
Heh this is good. True Story: My mom was a long distance telephone operator back in the 1920's and 30's. She used to put through calls from San Diego to Los Angeles all the time. Used to chat with my dad who was a hotel clerk while he played music in the "pit" at Grauman's Chinese Theater (they had a live orchestra plus the Great Organ in those days). One thing led to another and they were married. 62 years of life together with me, my brother and my sister the result of those long distance calls.
Posted 17 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
how can you not like this song. the genius of the lyrics is great. its a lot better than most of the drivel these days that gets played.
Posted 17 years ago by ndad47    [ Reply ]
The old saying that "half the World's population has never used a telephone" is apparently no longer true! But I'll wager that there are very few switch board operators any more :-(
Posted 17 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
Nick's new album is out, folks.
Posted 17 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
A blast! Love Nick from this period.
Posted 17 years ago by mnuisance    [ Reply ]
Corny, at best.
Posted 17 years ago by skdenfeld    [ Reply ]
Whoa... Going back a bit, eh?
Posted 17 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
I was going to say something about this being teenybopperish drivel, but when I saw it was Nick Lowe, I gave it a pass.
Posted 17 years ago by conocardium    [ Reply ]
i like jonny lovesin's workin girl
Posted 17 years ago by loversclub    [ Reply ]
Completely politically incorrect and thourougly enjoyable!
Posted 17 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
Love it! Classic...
Posted 17 years ago by Dude    [ Reply ]
So glad to hear some Nick Lowe. Always liked this album.
Posted 17 years ago by dixiedeb    [ Reply ]
Yet another of my very favorite artists. His stuff from the '90s is just the best. This old stuff is kinda fun, too.
Posted 17 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
jdorn1 wrote:
Long live Nick Lowe!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
I'd like it if it was about 1/3 shorter. Other wise it draws out a bit to long for such a... fluffy... song.
Posted 17 years ago by FeydBaron    [ Reply ]
jdorn1 wrote:
Long live Nick Lowe!!!!
I'll cheeze to that !!
Posted 17 years ago by JerseeeGirl    [ Reply ]
Long live Nick Lowe!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
This whole cd rocks. Nice surprise !
Posted 17 years ago by JerseeeGirl    [ Reply ]
yuck. Only a 2 by me, but still better than most I hear on commercial radio. Long live RP.
Posted 17 years ago by treffdawg    [ Reply ]
Dandy, sweet power pop from the granddaddy of the genre! (Mickey Jupp the great-granddaddy?)
Posted 17 years ago by dionysius    [ Reply ]
JerseeeGirl wrote:
NOOOOO !!! I can't believe I missed this song More Nick Lowe please
You should come back today! ..... ....
Posted 17 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
What a difference a better telephone connection made in the world. I guess no phone at all to a party line was a bigger change than the internet. Or maybe not.
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
f@$k yeah!

10
Posted 17 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
NOOOOO !!! I can't believe I missed this song More Nick Lowe please
Posted 17 years ago by JerseeeGirl    [ Reply ]
Man, it was good to hear this song again! I haven't heard it since the glory days of WNEW-FM. A rock 'n roll song in true essence!
Posted 17 years ago by Ja300Mes    [ Reply ]
UltraNurd wrote:
How is it possible for him to be fully Man and fully Cool at the same time?
Ummmm, things only a NERD would say?!?
Posted 17 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
deadfdr wrote:
This is the kind of a song that you would think would never be played on an eclectic radio station that usually shows good taste.
Why?
Posted 17 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
junebaby65 wrote:
Man, Creem magazine loved this guy back in 1979-1980...He's cool though, good song.
2 solid solo albums, produced the first 4 Elvis Costello albums, early Graham Parker and the Rumour, married Johnny Cash's daughter, damn, the guy is a living legend-- just check it out yerself: (click here)
Posted 17 years ago by Mongo61    [ Reply ]
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Nick is cool. It's like, he's the Jesus of Cool.
amen!
Posted 18 years ago by tzzart    [ Reply ]
Man, Creem magazine loved this guy back in 1979-1980...He's cool though, good song.
Posted 18 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
What a clever & funny song... When I hear this song, I get an extension...
Posted 18 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
UltraNurd wrote:
These lyrics are great - they're almost as hilariously bad as Weird Al's "Wanna B Ur Lovr" - but specific to telephony.
Except, unlike Weird Al, I don't think he's trying to be funny. Weird Al aims for being funny and juvenile. This is just juvenile. -mt-
Posted 18 years ago by mattt    [ Reply ]
Signature guitar licks by guitar God Dave Edmunds...Excellent. Sorry you barfers don't like it.
Posted 18 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
"I fell in love with your ringtone"
Pretty confident it wasn't this particular tune. And not just 'cause they didn't have fancy phones at the time
Posted 18 years ago by lixy    [ Reply ]
Silly. Just silly. Please don't follow this up with a Jim Croce tune. PLEASE!
Posted 18 years ago by d-mac    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by monkeywonders    [ Reply ]
etwilson wrote:
Why the hell is this album out of print? It's one of the great records of the late seventies. Strange.
not only this album, but Jesus of Cool/Pure Pop for Now People, his first solo effort, is also OOP...
Posted 18 years ago by desnos    [ Reply ]
This is the kind of a song that you would think would never be played on an eclectic radio station that usually shows good taste.
Posted 18 years ago by deadfdr    [ Reply ]
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Nick is cool. It's like, he's the Jesus of Cool.
So Nick Lowe exhibits the Cool-Man duality - how is it possible for him to be fully Man and fully Cool at the same time?
Posted 18 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
Why the hell is this album out of print? It's one of the great records of the late seventies. Strange.
Posted 18 years ago by etwilson    [ Reply ]
These lyrics are great - they're almost as hilariously bad as Weird Al's "Wanna B Ur Lovr" - but specific to telephony.
Posted 18 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
this IS a great tune. the lyrics crack me up.
Posted 18 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
this is such a great album. As old as this song is it stands up so well. Great Great tune.
Posted 18 years ago by friend2dogs    [ Reply ]
Nick is cool. It's like, he's the Jesus of Cool.
Posted 18 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
No really, I love this song! The British phone terminology is hilarious. "Let's get 'engaged' tonight." Also the bridge.... "When I'm with you girl I get an extension and I don't mean Alexander Graham Bell's invention. Swichboard Susan can we be friends? After six and at weekends."
Posted 18 years ago by bobrk    [ Reply ]