In a 1986 interview in Rolling Stone, singer Paul Westerberg explained,

There’s nothing worse than calling somebody and getting an answering machine. I’d rather have the phone ring than have a recording say,… Read More [Verse 1]

Try and breathe some life into a letter

Losing hope, we'll never be together

My courage is at its peak

You know what I mean

[Chorus]

How do you say you're okay to an answering machine?

How do you say good night to an answering machine?

[Verse 2]

Big town's got its losers

Small town's got its vices

A handful of friends:

One needs a match, one needs some ice

Call-waiting phone in another time zone

[Chorus]

How do you say I miss you to an answering machine?

How do say good night to an answering machine?

[Bridge]

(If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again

If you need help, hang up and then dial your operator...)

I get enough of that

[Verse 3]

Try and free a slave of ignorance

Try and teach a whore about romance

[Chorus]

How do you say I miss you to an answering machine?

How do you say good night to an answering machine?

How do you say I'm lonely to an answering machine?

[Outro]

The message is very plain

Oh, I hate your answering machine

I hate your answering machine

I hate your answering machine

(If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again

If you need help, if you need help, if you need help...

If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again

If you need help, if you need help, if you need help...

If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again

If you need help, if you need help, if you need help...

If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again

If you need help, if you need help, if you need help...)