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"Calling America"
Single by Electric Light Orchestra
from the album Balance of Power
B-side	"Caught in a Trap" "Destination Unknown" (12" only) (UK)
Released	24 January 1986 (US) 21 February 1986 (UK)
Recorded	1985, Compass Point, Nassau, Bahamas and Hartmann Digital Untertrubach, Germany
Genre	Pop rock
Length	3:28
Label	CBS Associated (US) Epic (UK)
Songwriter(s)	Jeff Lynne
Producer(s)	Jeff Lynne
Electric Light Orchestra singles chronology
"Stranger" (1983) "Calling America" (1986) "So Serious" (1986)
Audio sample
File:Electric Light Orchestra - Calling America.ogg "Calling America" file help
Music video
"Calling America" on YouTube

"Calling America" is a song by the rock music group Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) released as a single from their 1986 (see 1986 in music) album Balance of Power. The single reached number 28 in the UK and peaked at number 18 on the Billboard singles chart, making it their 20th and final Top 40 hit single in the United States.

Overview

The song is like most of the songs on Balance of Power being musically upbeat and bright. Lyrically, it features a similar theme to ELO's earlier single "Telephone Line", where the narrator is longing for a lover from across the telephone.

There was also a UK 12 inch EPIC 3 Track version with "Destination Unknown" as the B-side.

Track listing

All songs written by Jeff Lynne.

7"

1. "Calling America" – 3:28
2. "Caught in a Trap" – 3:43

US 12"

1. "Calling America" – 3:28
2. "Caught in a Trap" – 3:43
3. "Endless Lies" – 2:54

UK 12"

1. "Calling America" – 3:28
2. "Caught in a Trap" – 3:43
3. "Destination Unknown" – 4:10

Chart history

Video

The video was shot in Paris and contains shots of Centre Georges Pompidou; the band plays in front of Pompidou.

References

1. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
2. "Discographie Electric Light Orchestra". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
3. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 26 April 1986. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
4. "charts.de - Electric Light Orchestra". charts.de. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
5. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) Enter Electric Light Orchestra in the Search by Artist field, then click Search.
6. "Lista Przebojów Programu 3". LP3. Retrieved 30 November 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
7. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
8. "Electric Light Orchestra". Offfical Charts Company. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
9. ^ "Electric Light Orchestra - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
10. ELO
11. Charts!

External links

• Single chart positions
• ftmusic.com - UK single b-side "Destination Unknown"
• Calling America on YouTube (licensed content by Sony BMG)
• Template:MetroLyrics song

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• Use dmy dates from February 2012
• 1986 songs
• 1986 singles
• Electric Light Orchestra songs
• Song recordings produced by Jeff Lynne
• Songs written by Jeff Lynne
• Songs about telephones
• Epic Records singles
• Songs about the United States
• Songs about betrayal
• 1980s rock song stubs