Telephone

TelephoneUnreleased Song By Britney Spears
General information
Artists	Britney Spears
Written	2008
Recorded	2008
Leaked	May 2, 2010
Genre	Pop · Dance-pop · Electropop
Length	3:33
Albums	Circus, The Singles Collection (outtake)
Label	Jive Records
Writer(s)	Stefani Germanotta • Rodney Jerkins
Producer(s)	Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins

"Telephone" is an unreleased song by American recording artist Britney Spears, intended for her sixth studio album, Circus, and second greatest hits album, The Singles Collection.

Background

"Telephone" was written by Stefani Germanotta and Rodney Jerkins. It was produced by Jerkins.

In August 2008, the song was offered to Spears' management to a warm reception, supposedly intending to be released as a bonus track for her sixth studio album, Circus, but was rejected. The song was briefly considered for inclusion on Spears' second greatest hits album, The Singles Collection.

American singer Lady Gaga spoke about the song in an interview saying, "I was working with Rodney Jerkins on Pussycat Dolls material, and we wrote this song, when we were done I was like, “Oh, I want to sing it, but my album was already closed", going on to state that Rodney called me later and was like, “Britney’s people are freaking out about this song”. Ultimately, she makes the decisions, so when I found out that she loved it and was going to record it, it was amazing".

In May 2011, Gaga said her "emotional connection" with the song was difficult. When asked if it was because the song was originally written for Spears, she answered: "Well that's not exactly what happened, but I don't want to delve into that. I could delve into it if you turn [the recorder] off [...] But ultimately the mix and the process of getting the production finished was very stressful for me. So when I say it's my worst song it has nothing to do with the song, just my emotional connection to it".

In May 2, 2010, the demo version of the song was leaked online. You can listen to it here.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Hello, hello, baby, you called?
I can't hear a thing
I have got no service in the club
You say, say?
Wha-wha-what did you say, huh?
Are you breaking up on me?
Sorry, I cannot hear you
I'm kind of busy
K-kind of busy, k-kind of busy
Sorry, I cannot hear you
I'm kind of busy

[Verse 2]
Just a second
It's my favorite song they're gonna play
And I cannot text you
With a drink in my hand, eh
You should've made some plans with me
You knew that I was free
And now you won't stop calling me
I'm kinda busy
K-kind of busy, k-kind of busy
Sorry, I cannot hear you
I'm kinda busy

[Chorus]
Stop callin', stop callin'
I don't wanna think anymore
I've got my head and my heart on the dance floor
Stop callin', stop callin'
I don't wanna talk anymore
I've got my head and my heart on the dance floor

[Post-Chorus]
Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh
Stop telephonin' me
Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh
I'm busy
Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh
Stop telephonin' me
Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh

[Hook 1]
Can call all you want
But there's no one home
And you're not gonna reach my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club
And I'm sippin' that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

[Hook 1]
Can call all you want
But there's no one home
And you're not gonna reach my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club
And I'm sippin' that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

[Verse 3]
Not that I don't like you
I'm just tryna party
And I am sick and tired
Of my phone r-ringin'
Sometimes I feel like I live in Grand Central Station
Tonight, I'm not taking no calls
'Cause I'll be dancin'
'Cause I'll be dancin'
'Cause I'll be dancin'
Tonight I'm not taking no calls
'Cause I'll be dancin'

[Chorus]
Stop callin', stop callin'
I don't want to think anymore
I've got my head and my heart on the dance floor
Stop callin', stop callin'
I don't want to talk anymore
I've got my head and my heart on the dance floor

[Chorus]
Stop callin', stop callin'
I don't want to think anymore
I've got my head and my heart on the dance floor
Stop callin', stop callin'
I don't want to talk anymore
I've got my head and my heart on the dance floor

[Post-Chorus]
Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh
Stop telephonin' me
Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh
I'm busy
Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh
Stop telephonin' me
Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh

[Hook 1]
Can call all you want
But there's no one home
And you're not gonna reach my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club
And I'm sippin' that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

[Hook 1]
Can call all you want
But there's no one home
And you're not gonna reach my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club
And I'm sippin' that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

[Hook 2]
My telephone, m-m-my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club, and I'm sippin' that bubb
And you're not going to reach my telephone
My telephone, m-m-my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club, and I'm sippin' that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

[Outro]
We're sorry, we're sorry
The number you have reached is not in service at this time
Please check the number or try your call again

Trivia

• Gaga wanted Spears to be the song's guest vocalist, although American singer-songwriter Beyoncé became the final choice.
• Producer Jerkins confirmed that Spears' leaked version is unfinished. He said "It was an early demo stage of the version. It wasn't even a mixed version".
• The song was scrapped from Circus because the album already had "Phonography", a song also related to telephones.
• Spears' demo version of the song has a copyright on YouTube and was the most illegally downloaded song in 2010.