Hundreds of stories before I showed up
They'd tell them to me and pull photos up
They're all connected like a pair of handcuffs
No one seemed affected, that everyone had fucked

But there was a softness, a kind of understanding
Those 2 a.m. decisions always shaped the plannings
And no one ever knew what could be demanded
Maybe it's the card, the card that she was handed

They called me up from a pay phone
I said, hang tight, I can drive you home
I pulled on up and with a southern accent
I offered you my dad's leather jacket

I met her at a party, she'd come straight from work
Complained that the regulars were all a bunch of jerks
She always looked tired, she dazzled as a drunk
She even pulled off the stupid haircut

She said, I don't need a sponsor or the best lover
Some man that sees me as some fixer-upper
These last few years, man, I've been running for cover
Just trying to sleep so I can visit my mother

They called me up on a pay phone
I said, hang tight, I can drive you home
I pulled on up and with a southern accent
I offered you my dad's leather jacket

When times were tough in the worst years
You never knew how to interfere
And now you're back and just unpacking
Those bruised up takers you keep attracting

It's September when it goes off
Like some goddamn alarm clock
And it hits her like a third shot
Conversation, she just tears up

There's no longer her voice calling
When she goes out
Saying, I'll be up waiting for you
They called me up on a pay phone

I said, hang tight, I can drive you home
I pulled on up and with a southern accent
I offered you my dad's leather jacket
When times were tough in the worst years

You never knew how to interfere
And now you're back and just unpacking
Those bruised up takers you keep attracting
They called me up on a pay phone

Ooh, oh
They called me up on a pay phone
Ooh, oh
They called me up from a pay phone

Ooh, oh
They called me up from a pay phone
And I said, who the fuck uses a pay phone, hey