| "Hang Up the Phone" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byEddie Rabbitt | ||||
| from the albumTen Rounds | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:09 | |||
| Label | Capitol Records Nashville | |||
| Songwriter | Eddie Rabbitt | |||
| Producer | Richard Landis | |||
| Eddie Rabbitt singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Hang Up the Phone" is a song recorded by Americancountry music artistEddie Rabbitt and released in 1991 as the lead single from his thirteenth studio albumTen Rounds. The song was written by Rabbitt and produced byRichard Landis. It was Rabbitt's final entry on theBillboardHot Country Singles & Tracks chart, where it reached number 50.[1]
Rabbitt has described "Hang Up the Phone" as a "country shuffle". He told theStar-Gazette in 1991, "I wrote it in the living room when the kids were playing around and picking up the phone. At one point, I said, 'Hang up the phone'."[2]
On its release, "Hang Up the Phone" was met with some resistance by country radio.[3] It was initially met with encouraging support and was gaining new adds throughout August.[4] On September 7, 1991, the song was listed byCash Box at number three on their top three 'high debuts' for country radio.[5]
When the song reached no further than number 50 in theBillboard country charts, Rabbitt told theMiami Herald, "You have so many acts that come out at the same time and radio has only two or three slots to fill. It doesn't bother me, we'll get 'em with the next single."[3]
In a review ofTen Rounds,Billboard picked the "up-tempo" "Hang Up the Phone" as a "strong cut".[6] Mario Tarradell of theMiami Herald described the song as being in the "traditional country vein" with lyrics about "saving a dying relationship". He considered it reminiscent of Rabbitt's 1990 chart-topper "On Second Thought".[7]
Dennis Miller, writing for theStar-Gazette, considered the song to "sail gently along with a memorable tune and hook".[8] Linda Lynn ofThe Daily Oklahoman considered "Hang Up the Phone" to be one of the "jumpier tune[s]" on the album.[9]
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[10] | 87 |
| USHot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] | 50 |
| USTop 100 Country Singles (Cash Box)[12] | 38 |
