[Intro]
[sound of a digital "power down" tone]
New SIM.
New life.
At least that’s what the salesman said.
(Yeah, right.)
[low, pulsing bass]
[Verse 1]
Card snapped in half, threw the plastic in the creek
Trying to kill the habit, trying not to be weak
No more name in red, no more screen light glare
But I still feel the vibrate when there’s nothing there
Ghost-limb syndrome in my right-hand pocket
Fear like a wire, and I can’t find the socket
Changed the area code, changed the whole damn town
But the memory is a signal that won't go down
I’m sitting in the kitchen of a place they don't know
But the air feels heavy with the "long time ago" (yeah).
[Chorus]
I’m dialing out of the nightmare
New number, new name, but I’m still right there
Every time it rings, I’m a child in the dark
Trying to keep the fire from a dying little spark
I’m dialing out of the nightmare (uh)
Cutting all the cables but the static is a snare
If I ever answer, then the devil gets the bill
I’m dialing out of the nightmare, standing still
(Staring at the wall, standing still)
[Verse 2]
Unlisted life, but the roots grow deep
The things I didn't say are the things I keep
Saw a silhouette move in the neighbor's yard
Now I’m checking every lock, now I’m breathing twice as hard
They don't need a number just to find my head
They just wait for the moment that I’m lying in my bed
Synchronized clock on the microwave plate
3:01 now... I’m a minute too late
I thought I was the one who was making the call
But I’m just another picture hanging on their wall (woo).
[Pre-Chorus]
Block the sender, block the shame
But the blood in my veins still carries the name
Delete the history, clear the cache
But you can’t build a future on a pile of ash.
[Chorus]
I’m dialing out of the nightmare
New number, new name, but I’m still right there
Every time it rings, I’m a child in the dark
Trying to keep the fire from a dying little spark
I’m dialing out of the nightmare (uh)
Cutting all the cables but the static is a snare
If I ever answer, then the devil gets the bill
I’m dialing out of the nightmare, standing still.
[Bridge]
[rhythmic vocal tapping: “drip-drop, tsk, click”]
Signal strength: Zero.
Pulse rate: High.
Looking for a satellite in a pitch-black sky.
I’m "Out of Service."
I’m "Not in Range."
But I’m still the only thing that didn't really change.
(I didn't change.)
(Why didn't I change?)
[Verse 3]
The screen stayed dark all through the night
But I still didn't sleep, still waited for the light
Because the loudest call that I ever had to hear
Was the one coming from the man in the mirror
He knows the digits, he knows the code
He knows every turn on the "never-go" road
I can change the phone, I can change the SIM
But I’m never gonna block the call from him.
[Outro]
[distorted dial tone fading out]
New number.
Same me.
[whispered]
Don't pick up.
Just let it ring.
Let it ring...
Let it...
[abrupt silence]
GrizzlyJones
