"Don't Call Anybody"

I remember writing most of the words to this one in my head while working at a parking lot in Boston. It was one of the last songs I recorded on 4-track before taking a hiatus from music to attend school at the University of Massachusetts Boston. A couple of years later, this song got a new set of lyrics and became "One Day After Christmas."

"One Day After Christmas"

Don't Call Anybody

© Brian Hutzell 1986

He works as quickly as a cat

Always knows exactly where he's at

Could be called a man

May be called a mouse

Pretty soon he's got you in his house

Baby, no, he'll never try to hurt you

All the same, someday he'll desert you

Listen to these words of warning

When a stranger comes a-calling

Don't answer the phone

Don't tell him you're home

You won't be alone

And whatever you do

Don't call anybody

Til you call me, baby

Don't go creepin' out with strangers

You'd be crazy

Don't call anybody

Til you call me, baby

I'll be the man to watch you

Cause I am the man who wants you

Baby, now you know you've got the looks

Gonna be attractin' lots of crooks

Filling you up with fancy hopes

Pretty soon you're up against the ropes

With a man accustomed to his way

Comes a manner not inclined to stay

Listen to these words of warning

If anything happens, please inform me

Cause I wanna know that wherever you go

You're telling 'em "no"

And whatever you do:

Don't call anybody

Til you call me, baby

Don't go creepin' out with strangers

You'd be crazy

Don't call anybody

Til you call me, baby

I'll be the man to watch you

Cause I am the man who wants you

Want you for your sweet originality

I just know you're perfect for me

But you say I got someone to beat

How can you compare that man to me?

Cause he's got the warmth and personality

Of a paintbrush dipped in honey

I can see right through that veneer

And anyone who can't must be pretty nearsighted

Not to realize

That he lies in the gutter with every overture

Don't call anybody

Til you call me, baby

Don't go creepin' out with strangers

You'd be crazy

Don't call anybody

Til you call me, baby

I'll be the man to watch you

Cause I am the man who wants you