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The Call — The Walls Came Down
Album: The Best Of The Call - The Millenium Collection
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1105









Released: 1989
Length: 3:34
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Well they blew the horns
And the walls came down
They'd all been warned
And the walls came down
They juststood there laughing
They're not laughing anymore
The walls came down
Sanctuary fades
congregation splits
Nightly military raids
The congregation splits
It's a song of assassins
Ringin' in your ears
We got terrorist thinking
Playing on fears
Well they blew the horns
And the walls came down
They'd all been warned
But the walls came down
I do't think there are any Russians
And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals
playin' with tanks
Comments (133)add comment
Just corporate criminals...playin' with tanks.  *sigh* will it ever change?
Posted 8 months ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
 TheKing2 wrote:


"Shaka, when the walls fell"



Temba, his arms wide.
Posted 1 year ago by linden    [ Reply ]


"Shaka, when the walls fell"

Posted 1 year ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
 mleidig wrote:

Song was actually released 1983 n the Modern Romans Album... Best of was released in 1989     So you were dead on. 


Thanks.  I thought I was losing my mind thinking it was early-mid 1980s
Posted 1 year ago by AquaChick    [ Reply ]
 bigbargain wrote:

This song could have been written on a stage after a few beers.  No talent.  Honestly, I don't respect a band that just produces filler and lives off their reputation earned from a couple song, and now they're coasting.  That's The Call.


You are indeed quite the fool! The four most powerful lines of lyrics ever written are contained within this song!

I don't think there are any Russians

And there ain't no Yanks

Just corporate criminals

playin' with tanks
Posted 1 year ago by SoundThinker    [ Reply ]
https://writespike.com/story/r...
Posted 1 year ago by SoundThinker    [ Reply ]
 bigbargain wrote:

This song could have been written on a stage after a few beers.  No talent.  Honestly, I don't respect a band that just produces filler and lives off their reputation earned from a couple song, and now they're coasting.  That's The Call.



Having seen them live twice, and owning all of their recorded music, I could not disagree more. They were VERY talented musicians; Michael Been especially. 
Posted 1 year ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
 bigbargain wrote:

This song could have been written on a stage after a few beers.  No talent.  Honestly, I don't respect a band that just produces filler and lives off their reputation earned from a couple song, and now they're coasting.  That's The Call.




And, what are YOU good at?  ...eh?
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
This song could have been written on a stage after a few beers.  No talent.  Honestly, I don't respect a band that just produces filler and lives off their reputation earned from a couple song, and now they're coasting.  That's The Call.
Posted 1 year ago by bigbargain    [ Reply ]
 DW4554 wrote:

God damn good.  Nuf ced.




Yep!! ..."Call" me anytime!!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
God damn good.  Nuf ced.
Posted 1 year ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by reinia    [ Reply ]
Great anthem!
Posted 2 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Great memories of summer 1983 hanging out in the backyard in Arizona listening to this song.
 
Also some good person needs to fix Wikipedia because "The Walls Came Down" has a different song by some country musician I've never heard of.  There's no link to The Call's song, and not even a page for this album or song, really a damn travesty.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
I will never again hear this song without thinking of the day in November, 1989 when I was in Munich and the government announced that the Berlin Wall was coming down. The Germans in the city immediately burst into the streets to celebrate, and someone had a boom box and played this song at top volume over and over. It still gives me chills to think about it...
Posted 3 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
Personally, I love this stuff. I wonder what kind of music Michael Been would have been making now, if he were still with us.
Posted 4 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
 csetti wrote:
I'm surprised this was released in 1989 -- seems so much more "80s" that to be at the end of the decade.  Synthesizers, yelling, political lyrics. I absolutely love it.
 
Song was actually released 1983 n the Modern Romans Album... Best of was released in 1989     So you were dead on. 
Posted 4 years ago by mleidig    [ Reply ]
Takes me back. Good stuff.
Posted 4 years ago by wtango    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
David Byrnish
 
Always wanted to say something similar.  

Say something once, why say it again ...
Posted 5 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
David Byrnish
Posted 5 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
I'm surprised this was released in 1989 -- seems so much more "80s" that to be at the end of the decade.  Synthesizers, yelling, political lyrics. I absolutely love it.
Posted 5 years ago by csetti    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Copy a lyric passage that's more true than this one:

I do't think there are any Russians
And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals
playin' with tanks 
 
Well, if that's the mood you're in, how about Leonard Cohen "The Future":

Give me crack and anal sex
Take the only tree that's left
and stuff it up the hole
in your culture
Give me back the Berlin Wall
give me Stalin and St. Paul
I've seen the future, brother:
it is murder.
Posted 5 years ago by danmc    [ Reply ]
Quite Talking Heads-ish. Good!
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
 skindy wrote:
Ah geez... I never looked at the info on this song until right now. I always thought David Byrne was guest vocalist on this song. Apparently not! Am I alone here? 
 
OK, I had to go back 6 years in these comments to find someone who thought this too. Now back to more productive things, like arguing with my husband. 
Posted 5 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
Ah geez... I never looked at the info on this song until right now. I always thought David Byrne was guest vocalist on this song. Apparently not! Am I alone here? 
Posted 5 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
Perhaps the best political lyrics of all times...

Well, I don't believe there are any Russians
and there ain't no Yanks
just CORPORATE CRIMINALS
playing with tanks!
Posted 5 years ago by SoundThinker    [ Reply ]
Love that unmistakable sound of Garth Hudson's organ playing
Posted 5 years ago by orehio51    [ Reply ]

 

I miss Michael Been and the music he brought forth into the world.

Posted 6 years ago by mardison    [ Reply ]
I have always loved this song! The Call holds up well.
Posted 6 years ago by darinc38122449    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of alien space crafts loves this song...  we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  we love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...

 
Me Too!  {#Bananasplit}

{#Sunny}
Posted 6 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
Talking Heads influence maybe!
Posted 9 years ago by minus10gmt    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of alien space crafts loves this song...  we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  we love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
Posted 9 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Not when I've seen him - fortunately.

  
That diss on "Bang the Drum All Day" just ripped the heart out of every overweight Packers' fan, as they play it every time one of their heroes hits paydirt at Lambeau (which happened to be SIX TIMES IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS vs. The Vikes in a 42 - 10 rout last Oct. 2).

Where have you gone, Joe Kapp? 
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Copy a lyric passage that's more true than this one:

I do't think there are any Russians
And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals
playin' with tanks 
Posted 9 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:


Nice—never saw Todd live. 

What's the rest of his show like?

I'm guessing "Bang the Drum All Day" has to be in there, right?

 
Not when I've seen him - fortunately.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 ColdMiser wrote:
I saw Todd Rundgren cover this a few years back. He rocked the house with it. {#Bananajam}

 

Nice—never saw Todd live. 

What's the rest of his show like?

I'm guessing "Bang the Drum All Day" has to be in there, right?
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
I saw Todd Rundgren cover this a few years back. He rocked the house with it. {#Bananajam}
Posted 9 years ago by ColdMiser    [ Reply ]
"Just corporate criminals, playing with tanks"

Feels like apt political commentary tonight… the second Tuesday of November, 2014

 
Posted 10 years ago by robertomiller    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:
I love the fact that we have multi-generational playlists on RP, you can hear Michael Been on this song, and later today I am sure we will hear his son Robert Been in BRMC.  I always like The Call, and love BRMC.

Other multi generational artists on RP:
George and Dani Harrison
Butch Trucks (Allman Bros) and Derek Trucks
Who else?

 
Johnny & Roseanne Cash? Bob & Jacob Dylan?
Posted 10 years ago by jameshay    [ Reply ]
I love the fact that we have multi-generational playlists on RP, you can hear Michael Been on this song, and later today I am sure we will hear his son Robert Been in BRMC.  I always like The Call, and love BRMC.

Other multi generational artists on RP:
George and Dani Harrison
Butch Trucks (Allman Bros) and Derek Trucks
Who else?
Posted 10 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
Ok, now it is officially a paaa-tee...wooooo hooooooo!
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 sunybuny wrote:
RIP - He was mixing sound at a BRMC concert I went to with NewWaveGurly - and I didn't stop to tell him how much his music meant to me. Stupid me.

 
I like his son's band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.  
Posted 11 years ago by WannabeBanned    [ Reply ]
I love this band!  Unfortunately, for some reason I confuse them with The Cure.  I guess because they both are under rated bands that have produced a lot of great music.  And maybe because they both start with a C. 
Posted 11 years ago by WannabeBanned    [ Reply ]
The Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 11 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Loved, loved, loved, hearing this anthem again!  It's not something I'd buy, but I sure do love hearing it.  Reminds me of a mid-80s road trip.  Nothing profound, here, but several folks mentioned exuberance.  I agree completely.  Quite Likable overall, but the exuberance is Most Excellent.  
Posted 11 years ago by bluejay08003    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:
A 10 for how underrated (back in de day of DJ radio already corporatized) ALL of this band's songs were. More exuberance than Talking Heads, more juevos than U2. Oh well. Long live the underdogs. "Still Believe" is the song that invokes that era, 4evah

 
{#Dance}
Posted 11 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
"Much more creative in song writing" is in the eye of the beholder. This IS the way TH could have sounded if they were into rocknroll defiant exuberance, rather than overanalytical, intellectualized, overwrought, histrionic, tweeness. Different strokes.
justin4kick wrote:


The vocals sound a bit like David Byrne. But David is much more creative in song writing.
 


Posted 11 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
A 10 for how underrated (back in de day of DJ radio already corporatized) ALL of this band's songs were. More exuberance than Talking Heads, more juevos than U2. Oh well. Long live the underdogs. "Still Believe" is the song that invokes that era, 4evah
Posted 11 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
RIP - He was mixing sound at a BRMC concert I went to with NewWaveGurly - and I didn't stop to tell him how much his music meant to me. Stupid me.
Posted 11 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
This sounds the way The Talking Heads should sound...
 

The vocals sound a bit like David Byrne. But David is much more creative in song writing.
Posted 11 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}{#Drummer}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajumprope}{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 12 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
9 - RIP Michael Been
Posted 12 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
 Gregorama wrote:


That's just sad.
 
Pathetic I'd say...
Posted 12 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
 Kittee wrote:
If I went the rest of my life without hearing this song, that would be amazing.

-1 major sucko-barfo.
 



That's just sad.
Posted 12 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
 cohifi wrote:

Good thing we got RP !   Ya never know when they'll play a gem like this.  One of the better 80's bands, jmo.
 



One of the top rock anthems of that decade. A simple classic.
Posted 12 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
 GawgaBoy wrote:

didn't miss it this time....   and the walls came down
 
Good thing we got RP !   Ya never know when they'll play a gem like this.  One of the better 80's bands, jmo.
Posted 12 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
 GawgaBoy wrote:
damn...  walk downstairs for a few minutes and I miss it.

 
didn't miss it this time....   and the walls came down
Posted 12 years ago by GawgaBoy    [ Reply ]
Nostalgia track only these days...Better than the Pearl Jam song now playing, though. 
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
damn...  walk downstairs for a few minutes and I miss it.

Posted 13 years ago by GawgaBoy    [ Reply ]
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Posted 13 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 nmcvaugh wrote:
Yes we were all warned. Walls failed to come down, Jebus failed to appear, and the world is still here. We are pointing and laughing.
 
This was released in 1989. The walls (or at least one) DID come down....


Posted 13 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
NIGHTLY MILITARY RAIDS!!!

BRILLIANT!
Posted 13 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
Yes we were all warned. Walls failed to come down, Jebus failed to appear, and the world is still here. We are pointing and laughing.
Posted 13 years ago by nmcvaugh    [ Reply ]
If I went the rest of my life without hearing this song, that would be amazing.

-1 major sucko-barfo.
Posted 13 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
 k_trout wrote:
I don't think there are any Russians
And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals
Playing with tanks

 
My how our world has changed!  Not!  Winning!

Posted 13 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Talking Heads on prozac.
Posted 13 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This song is good for the ears...


 

THIS SONG IS GOOD FOR NOTHING!
LITERALLY!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
I don't think there are any Russians
And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals
Playing with tanks

Posted 13 years ago by k_trout    [ Reply ]
ICH SCHWEIGE!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
What excellent, horribly prescient lyrics!  They could have been written in 2002!
Posted 14 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
This sounds the way The Talking Heads should sound...
 

tzzzz...!!!

Some people have CERTAINLY lost their minds!
DAVE - it's you I am talking about!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
wow. never heard this before... talking heads-ish. i like
Posted 14 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
SILLY RUBBISH!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this one in awhile - still enjoy it.
Posted 14 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
It's hard to believe I've been listening and loving this for over 25 years, WOW! 


Posted 14 years ago by starcloud    [ Reply ]
 Kite_Flyer wrote:
Perfect song to wake up by... {#Dancingbanana_2}
 
Waking up! {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 14 years ago by Xstar    [ Reply ]
Perfect song to wake up by... {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 14 years ago by Kite_Flyer    [ Reply ]
This sounds the way The Talking Heads should sound...
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This song is good for the ears...


 
{#Yes}

Posted 14 years ago by glassbuteo    [ Reply ]
Yea, this'ns and oldie and a goodie!{#Bananapiano}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
love the line: "...Just corporate criminals playing with Tanks..."
 
Posted 14 years ago by toddbruner    [ Reply ]
 MJMJ wrote:
When this came on. for few seconds I thought Wow a Talking Heads song I'm not completely sick of. 
 
I remember when this first came out thinking "what a crappy Talking Heads/David Byrne imitation." Time has mellowed my reaction, and I appreciate the lyrics more now, but I still don't like it that much.

Posted 15 years ago by Oregon_Steve    [ Reply ]
 randomprime wrote:
The lead singer's son is the lead singer for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

 
Thanks for that little musical tidbit!

Posted 15 years ago by countyman    [ Reply ]
If you owned and liked Reconciled, look up a few other albums.  They are dirt cheap when you see them used.  Hard to explain why they didn't really catch on (Millenium greatest hits edition notwithstanding).

Posted 15 years ago by silvergirl    [ Reply ]
When this came on. for few seconds I thought Wow a Talking Heads song I'm not completely sick of. 

Posted 16 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
 SoundThinker wrote:
I think the best set of lyrics of any song to have a political edge is in this song! Outstanding and holds true as long as there are warring nations: "Well I don't believe there are any Russians
and there ain't no Yanks,
Just CORPORATE CRIMINALS,
playing with TANKS!" And now the Corporate Criminals are about to attack Iran!
 
Violent agreement!

Posted 16 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Yeah Let's wait until Iran actually develops and launches nuclear ICBM's at us. Then we should attack? I'm done fighting, you go... And now the Corporate Criminals are about to attack Iran!
Posted 16 years ago by SFC_Oz    [ Reply ]
Whenever I hear this while driving, I don't just sing along, I sing at the top of my lungs. Not a big fan of 80s music, but this one really gets me going.
Posted 16 years ago by rrmusicguy    [ Reply ]
I think the best set of lyrics of any song to have a political edge is in this song! Outstanding and holds true as long as there are warring nations: "Well I don't believe there are any Russians and there ain't no Yanks, Just CORPORATE CRIMINALS, playing with TANKS!" And now the Corporate Criminals are about to attack Iran!
Posted 16 years ago by SoundThinker    [ Reply ]
Still rings true after all these years . . . so sad.
Posted 16 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
PureGirl wrote:
Gotta love that 80's sound.
oh yeah!
Posted 16 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
Gotta love that 80's sound.
Posted 16 years ago by PureGirl    [ Reply ]
Wow!! I haven't heard this since I last played it on my (long-gone) Trouser Press 7-inch flexi-disc about 25 years ago...
Posted 16 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
I saw this band in the 80's in a tacky nightclub on the Florida Panhandle. Their instruments had been stolen from their van the night before, but they scrambled around town, borrowed what they could, and performed an amazing set. Michael Been was definitely an anomaly for the 80's.

Posted 16 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
I too, saw them play in Portland Or, they had the joint jumping, an outstanding set!
Posted 16 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
If these guys ever got back together and toured, I would be there in a second! Rockabobbie wrote:
Saw them at the Illinois Sate Fair in 1987, openning for the Psychedelic Furs. The Call ROCKED! I went right out and picked up their Peter Gabrielle-produced LP, The Reckoning (with the killer single, I Still Believe, which was covered for the Lost Boys sound track to great effect). Agreed: Michael Been doesn't fit the "rockstar" mold, but he did it his way and totally pulled it off. What a great set, Bill!
Posted 16 years ago by KermitDfrog    [ Reply ]
Good song - but starting to sound a little dated. Rebellion rock from the age of Reagan.
Posted 16 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
I came and looked...because I thought it was David Byrne too!
Posted 16 years ago by bohemianbiker    [ Reply ]
Weh-hell Well they blew the horns And the walls came down They'd all been warned And the walls came down They stood there laughing They're not laughing anymore The walls came down, ahhh Sanctuary fades, congregation splits Nightly military raids, the congregation splits It's a song of assassins, ringin' in your ears We got terrorists thinking, playing on fears Well they blew the horns And the walls came down They'd all been warned But the walls came down I don't think there are any Russians And there ain't no yanks Just corporate criminals Playin' with tanks ...the more things change...
Posted 16 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
superfido wrote:
i thought it was david byrne. hmm
same here
Posted 16 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
OMG, this brings back some AWESOME memories - thanks Bill!
Posted 16 years ago by laprincessa    [ Reply ]
i thought it was david byrne. hmm
Posted 17 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
randomprime wrote:
The lead singer's son is the lead singer for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
! really! I remember this song ya ya ya ya ya ya
Posted 17 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
ha ha! I used to have this on a cassette
Posted 17 years ago by electronicshaman    [ Reply ]
mamerjamer wrote:
I saw this band back in the 80's. They were awesome. They had to play this song twice for the crowd. The singer had some real style and some personally crafted moves! A heavy set guy but carried it off flawlessly. They definitely rocked. Good, fun 80's stuff.
Saw them at the Illinois Sate Fair in 1987, openning for the Psychedelic Furs. The Call ROCKED! I went right out and picked up their Peter Gabrielle-produced LP, The Reckoning (with the killer single, I Still Believe, which was covered for the Lost Boys sound track to great effect). Agreed: Michael Been doesn't fit the "rockstar" mold, but he did it his way and totally pulled it off. What a great set, Bill!
Posted 17 years ago by Rockabobbie    [ Reply ]
The lead singer's son is the lead singer for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
Posted 17 years ago by randomprime    [ Reply ]
AliGator wrote:
always did like it.
I always did like it too.
Posted 17 years ago by dixiedeb    [ Reply ]
This one had Garth Hudson ex of The Band playing keys
Posted 17 years ago by fretman    [ Reply ]
I saw this band back in the 80's. They were awesome. They had to play this song twice for the crowd. The singer had some real style and some personally crafted moves! A heavy set guy but carried it off flawlessly. They definitely rocked. Good, fun 80's stuff.
Posted 17 years ago by mamerjamer    [ Reply ]
daveesh wrote:
never liked this song.
always did like it.
Posted 17 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
lmic wrote:
Allmusic lists John Mellencamp as a similar artist - but NOT Talking Heads?
Wha!? I wouldn't even say similar, this sounds like a total rip-off of Talking Heads.
Posted 17 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite bands of all time - simple yet pure rock. Their best work never sees the light of day, as only 3 or 4 songs ever received commercial airplay..
Posted 17 years ago by SomeOldGuy    [ Reply ]
This is way I love this station. I never heard Modern Romans on the airways when it came out, what was that, 25 years ago? It doesn't matter if you like this or not, way to go Bill. Keep mixing it up.
Posted 17 years ago by olesonb    [ Reply ]
Business in front, party in back!
Posted 17 years ago by Daniel_Pittenger    [ Reply ]
I spy a MULLET!
Posted 17 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]
Aye yi yi yi yi yi yiiiiiii. Or is it Ya ya ya ya ya yaaaah?
Posted 17 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]
Meh. Not their best.
Posted 17 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]
With Garth Hudson on keys--very cool. Tho' I have a provincial San Franciscan's love of this band.
Posted 17 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
The lead singer of the call is the father of one of the band members of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Just a little bit of useless trivia today! Love the Call. and BRMC too.
Posted 18 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
Blast from the past! edit: just noticed lots of people commenting used those exact words with this song. weird. that is what came to my brain.
Posted 18 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]