Life Hack From An 80’s Rock Song

I’m old. I won’t say exactly how old, but let’s say they were playing 80’s rock at my high school dances and it wasn’t the oldies station. Previously I’ve written about how Old Music is Always Better.

Salt Lake City has two oldies stations; 103.5 The Arrow and 94.1 KODJ. Today, I was giving my son a ride home from work and listening to one of the stations. A song from my childhood game on. (Okay, they’re ALL from my childhood, but go with me here.) It was 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone. It was released in 1981.

The song is pretty simplistic. In fact, most of it involves singing the phone number over and over. (See the full lyrics at the bottom of this post.) The story of the song is found in the last line of the first verse.

“Who saw your name and number on the wall”

Who among us hasn’t called a phone number found written next to a name on a wall? (Wow, that many. Okay.)

The mythology of the song is that the songwriters Alex Call and Jim Keller actually copied the number and name off a wall and put it into a song. The myth goes on that Jenny found out and was very upset to have her phone number blasted across the airwaves. And it’s been blasted for 40 years now.

Despite the coolness factor of the myth, it’s just that; a myth. Alex Call has admitted on multiple occasions that he came up with the number out of the ether sitting in his back yard under a plum tree.

But, it’s a real number. And the wikipedia article on the song lists the many different stories of people who have that number, or had that number. Even today, it’s not only used, but sought after. Mostly by people who want to get a lot of calls.

I didn’t share all this information with my son on the ride home. He’s pretty stoic, but there’s a difference between stoic silence and “Dad, you’re boring me,” silence.

But, I did tell my son who he could use this song to save money. And you can to.

Grocery store loyalty programs.

With a loyalty program, you give them your phone number and you save a few cents on the price of lettuce.

Of course, you are also giving up some of your privacy for the privilege of saving those few pennies. It’s often a good deal. But, it is giving up some privacy. But, you don’t have to. Nearly every program in every city will have an entry with Jenny’s phone number. So, if you don’t have a loyalty card from your friendly neighborhood grocery, enter your area code followed by Jenny’s number,

(xxx) 867-5309

My son was appropriately appreciative after learning this valuable life hack. He said,

Hmm

Like I said, stoic silence.

Stay safe

Rodney M Bliss is an author, columnist and IT Consultant. His blog updates every weekday. He lives in Pleasant Grove, UT with his lovely wife, thirteen children and grandchildren.

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867-5309/Jenny Lyrics

Jenny jenny who can I turn to
You give me something I can hold on to
I know you’ll think I’m like the others before
Who saw your name and number on the wall

Jenny I’ve got your number
I need to make you mine
Jenny don’t change your number

Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Jenny jenny you’re the girl for me
You don’t know me but you make me so happy
I tried to call you before but I lost my nerve
I tried my imagination but I was disturbed

Jenny I’ve got your number
I need to make you mine
Jenny don’t change your number
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine

I got it (i got it) I got it
I got your number on the wall
I got it (i got it) I got it
For a good time, for a good time call

Jenny don’t change your number
I need to make you mine
Jenny I’ve called your number

Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine

Jenny Jenny who can I turn to (eight six seven five three oh nine)
For the price of a dime I can always turn to you (eight six seven five three oh nine)

Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine (five three oh nine)
Eight six seven five three oh nine
Eight six seven five three oh nine (five three oh nine)
Eight six seven five three oh nine (five three oh nine)