In the age of Twitter and text messaging, phone calls almost became obsolete — until Drake and Adele resurrected the hotline with their viral releases “Hotline Bling” and “Hello.”
While flip phones probably won’t replace the iPhone anytime soon (sorry, Adele), the act of calling up a new lover (or former flame) is making a comeback. Here, a look back on some of the phone-y songs that kept us dialed in throughout pop culture.
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Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe”
That one time the bubbly Canadian delivered this inescapable earworm in 2012.
Soulja Boy Feat. Sammie “Kiss Me Thru The Phone”
Let the “Crank That” rapper tell it: This 2008 track had potential baes blowing smooches through their Blackberries.
Chingy “One Call Away”
Every player used the hook from this 2003 Rap&B song as their default pickup line.
Charlie Puth “One Call Away”
Not to be confused with the aforementioned Chingy track, Puth’s Nine Track Mind single takes a softer approach to hotline hookups.
Maroon 5 Feat. Wiz Khalifa “Payphone”
Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine spends all his change to make a special call for this 2012 offering.
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Lady Gaga Feat. Beyonce “Telephone”
This epic mini-movie — debuted in 2010 — features a flawless dance sequence from both pop queens for the quintessential Girls’ Night Out anthem.
Pretty Ricky “On The Hotline”
The R&B quartet dedicates this NSFW smash to phone sex.
Paula DeAnda Feat. Baby Bash “Doing Too Much”
Back when Sidekicks were a thing, this pressing inquiry was the soundtrack to every schoolgirl crush in 2009.
Erykah Badu “Tyrone”
Kicking a no-good man out never sounded sexier thanks to this neo-soulstress.Usher “U Don’t Have To Call”
Situations will arise but Ursha keeps his cool by forwarding all calls to voicemail during a bro night.
New Edition “Mr. Telephone Man”
Way before hotlines blinged, the ’80s resident new jack swing quintet tried to reach a lover gone M.I.A. on the 1982 classic. Fun fact: Diddy‘s girl group Dream also covered this in 2001.
Tommy Tutone “867-5309/Jenny”
No phone song list would be complete without this 1982 throwback that had listeners punching a keypad with the quickness.