When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) Explained

When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)
Cover:	DBWhenWillYouDeac3.jpg
Caption:	Original release
Type:	single
Artist:	Deacon Blue
Album:	Raintown
Released:	17 August 1987^[1]
Genre:	Pop, blues
Length:	5:02 5:24 (12" remix)
Label:	Columbia
Producer:	Jon Kelly
Prev Title:	Loaded
Prev Year:	1987
Next Title:	Chocolate Girl
Next Year:	1988

When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)
Cover:	DBWhenWillYouDeac5.jpg
Caption:	Second Release Cover of 7" single
Type:	single
Artist:	Deacon Blue
Album:	Raintown
Released:	March 1988
Genre:	Pop, blues
Length:	5:02 (7" version) 5:24 (12" version)
Label:	Columbia
Producer:	Jon Kelly
Prev Title:	Dignity
Prev Year:	1988
Next Title:	Chocolate Girl
Next Year:	1988

"When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)" is a single released by the Scottish group Deacon Blue in 1987 and in 1988. The song features prominent backing vocals from members of R&B group Londonbeat. It was the very first song to be played on Radio Luxembourg after it went satellite at 3AM on 30 December 1991. The video for the song was directed by John Scarlett-Davis and produced by Nick Verden for Radar Films.

In an interview given to the Daily Record in 2012, songwriter Ricky Ross explained that "It’s so hard to remember. I think that song is actually about waiting to be discovered, spurred on by the unrequited love of an old girlfriend".^[2]

Multiple releases

"When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)" has been officially released as a single twice. It was first released in August 1987 as the third single from Deacon Blue's first album Raintown. It peaked at No. 86 in the UK Singles Chart.^[3] After sales of Raintown began to increase, the single was re-released in March 1988, following a second release of the first single "Dignity". This single was more successful, peaking at #34.^[4]

Track listings

All songs written by Ricky Ross, except where noted:

When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) (1st release) (August 1987)

7" Single (Deac 3)

1. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)" - 5:02
2. "Church" - 3:18

12" Single (Deac t3)

1. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) (12" Remix)" - 5:24
2. "Church" - 3:18
3. "Town to Be Blamed" (Live) (Ross, Prime) - 4:27
4. "Angeliou" (Live) (Van Morrison) - 6:19

When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) (2nd Release) (March 1988)

7" Single (Deac 5)

1. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)" - 5:02
2. "That Brilliant Feeling #1"

7" Box Set Single (Deac b5)

1. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)" - 5:02
2. "That Brilliant Feeling #1"

12" Single (Deac t5)

1. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)" - 5:02
2. "Punch and Judy Man" - 3:51
3. "That Brilliant Feeling #3"
4. "Disneyworld" - 2:47

CD Single (CDDeac 5)

1. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)" - 5:02
2. "That Brilliant Feeling #2" - 3:41
3. "Punch and Judy Man" - 3:51
4. "Disneyworld" - 2:47

CD Picture Single (CPDeac 5)

1. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)" - 5:02
2. "That Brilliant Feeling #2" - 3:41
3. "Punch and Judy Man" - 3:51
4. "Disneyworld" - 2:47

When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) (US release) (1988)

7" Single (Columbia CSK1215)

1. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) [Edit]" - 4:19
2. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)" - 5:04

Notes and References

1. Web site: Music Week. 39.
2. News: Despite album title, Deacon Blue insist they're more hip replacements than hipsters. Paul. English. 9 September 2012. Daily Record. 2 September 2017.
3. Web site: The Official Charts Company - Deacon Blue - When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) . Official Charts Company. 17 May 2009.
4. Web site: The Official Charts Company - Deacon Blue - When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) 1988 . Official Charts Company. 17 May 2009.