853-5937
| "853-5937" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Squeeze | ||||
| from the album Babylon and On | ||||
| Released | December 1987 (US) January 1988 (UK) | |||
| Genre | Soul[1] | |||
| Length | 3:21 | |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Songwriters | Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Difford | |||
| Producers | Eric "ET" Thorngren, Glenn Tilbrook | |||
| Squeeze singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"853-5937" is a song by English rock band Squeeze released on the band's 1987 album Babylon and On. Released as the fourth UK single and the second US single from the album, "853-5937" was a moderate chart hit in both nations, reaching number 91 in the UK[2] and climbing to number 32 on the US Hot 100 chart and number 38 on the US Cash Box chart.
Background
"853-5937" was written by Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford. The song began life as an answering machine jingle that Tilbrook used, with 853-5937 being Tilbrook's phone number at the time.[3] Though Tilbrook and Difford traditionally wrote separately, the songwriting duo wrote "Hourglass" and "853-5937" while in the same room.[1] Tilbrook recalled, "We didn't write everything together. I think the first song we ever wrote, we wrote together. And then we wrote 'Hourglass' and '853-5937' together. And that was it [until 1993's Some Fantastic Place]."[4]
Despite the song's commercial success, both Tilbrook and Difford have commented on their dislike for the song and have blocked the song from appearing on compilation albums.[5] Difford recalled, "It's a very lame song. I liked it at the time, but you change your mind about how you feel about certain songs."[3]
Release
"853-5937" was released as a single in both the US and the UK. Coming off the success of "Hourglass", the band's biggest pop hit in the US, "853-5937" peaked at number 32 in the US. The song was the band's second and final top 40 hit in the US.[6]
Music video
Squeeze produced a music video for "853-5937", directed by Adrian Edmondson.[7] The music video shows many black and white clips, as well as the band performing in what appears to be the inside of a telephone, as they are surrounded by oversized electronics and circuitry. Bassist Keith Wilkinson can be seen playing an Ormston fretless bass.[8]
Critical reception
The Rolling Stone Album Guide described the song as "equally charming" as "Hourglass", Squeeze's biggest hit from Babylon & On.[9]
Track listing
7"
- "853-5937" (3:21)
- "Tough Love" (3:06)
12"
- "853-5937" (3:21)
- "Tough Love" (3:06)
- "853-5937 (Bonus Buff mix)" (3:26)
7" (North American release)
- "853-5937" (3:21)
- "Take Me I'm Yours (live)" (4:03)
References
- ^ a b Zaleski, Annie (15 September 2017). "30 Years Ago: Squeeze Find Unexpected U.S. Success with 'Babylon and On'". Diffuser.fm. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ^ "SQUEEZE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company.
- ^ a b Wiser, Carl. "Squeeze: Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford". Songfacts. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ McGrath, Amy (14 December 2025). "The 'Alternating Currents' Legacy Interview: Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze". Write Hear.
- ^ "853-5937". Songfacts. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Chianca, Peter. "Squeeze in a solo show from Glenn Tilbrook in Boston". Boston.com. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ^ "What's New in Video?". SPIN. 3 (10): 53. March 1988.
- ^ 853-5937 – SQUEEZE
- ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 197.