The 1982 song “867-5309/Jenny” by the band Tommy Tutone is well-known for its catchy tune and memorable phone number. The song tells the story of a man who finds Jenny’s phone number on a bathroom wall and decides to call her.
So, what was Jenny’s number? In the song, the number is 867-5309.
Interestingly, after the song’s release, many people called that number, causing inconvenience to the people who happened to be assigned the number in real-life. Some even changed their phone numbers to avoid the constant barrage of calls.
Pro tip: If you want to learn more about the impact of the song and how it affected the people with the phone number, check out the documentary “867-5309: The Making of a Hit”.
The Song and Its Popularity
The song “867-5309/Jenny” by the band Tommy Tutone was released in 1982 and soon became a chart-topping hit. It was originally released as the flipside of another song, but its popularity eventually caused it to be released as a single. The song has since been featured in several movies, TV shows, and commercials, and continues to be a popular karaoke selection.
Discuss the history behind the song
Tommy Tutone’s 1982 hit song “867-5309/Jenny” tells the story of an infatuated man searching for a woman whose phone number he found on a bathroom wall. The song’s catchy melody and relatable storyline quickly propelled it to the top of the charts and has remained a popular classic ever since.
Interestingly, the phone number used in the song (867-5309) was not fictional. Instead, it belonged to a real woman named “Jenny,” who was inundated with prank calls and unwanted attention after the song’s release. She changed her phone number to escape the notoriety and has since kept her new number a secret.
Despite the controversy, “867-5309/Jenny” continues to be a beloved anthem of the 1980s and has been covered by numerous artists over the years. Its timeless tale of unrequited love and catchy chorus make it a hit with listeners of all ages.
Pro tip: Did you know that the phone number 867-5309 has been used in various TV shows, movies, and even as a real phone number for businesses? It has become a pop culture icon, immortalized in music history.
Analyze the song’s introduction to mainstream radio
Analyzing a song’s introduction to mainstream radio can provide insights into its popularity and cultural impact. “Jenny/867-5309” by the band Tommy Tutone was released in 1982 and quickly became a sensation, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s infectious melody, memorable lyrics, and catchy chorus made it a hit with listeners, but its introduction to mainstream radio propelled it to greater fame.
Capitol Records, the label that initially released the single, struggled to promote the song through traditional channels. Still, program directors at local radio stations across the US recognized its potential and began playing it on their stations. Word of mouth spread quickly, and “Jenny” soon became a nationwide phenomenon. Analyzing the song’s introduction to mainstream radio shows us how grassroots support and word-of-mouth marketing can create a breakout hit.
Pro Tip: Identifying new marketing channels can help promote your product or service more quickly and effectively than traditional marketing methods.
Discuss the reception of the song
The song “867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone released in 1982 became a sensation and a cultural reference by the 1990s. The song follows the story of someone who finds Jenny’s phone number in a bathroom stall and decides to call her. The song’s catchy tune, relatable story, and memorable lyrics made it an instant hit. Several radio stations played the song repeatedly, making it number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Interestingly, many people with the phone number 867-5309 received unwanted and incessant calls after the song’s release. As a result, some had to change their phone numbers, and a few even sued the band for invasion of privacy. Nevertheless, the song continues to be played on the radio and remains popular at parties and karaoke nights.
Pro Tip: Next time you’re at a party or karaoke night, sing the number, and you’ll have everyone
singing along by the chorus.
Who is Jenny?
The song “867-5309/Jenny” by the band Tommy Tutone gained instant popularity when it was released in 1982, and it has remained an iconic song for the past four decades. It is easy to recognize, but who is the mysterious Jenny, who’s number the song is about? Let’s get into the details of the story behind the song.
Discuss the origins of the name “Jenny”
“Jenny” is a popular name that’s been around for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to England and Wales, where it was a diminutive form of “Jane” and “Jennifer.” The name spread across Europe and eventually made its way to America.
In the 1982 song “867-5309/Jenny” by the band Tommy Tutone, “Jenny” is not a specific person but a name and phone number randomly chosen by the songwriter. The song became a chart-topping hit, turning “Jenny” into a pop culture phenomenon. The phone number used in the song became so popular that it’s been used by some individuals in movies, TV shows, and even as a real phone number.
Was “Jenny” a real person?
Yes, Jenny was real, but her number was not 867-5309. The song “867-5309/Jenny” was written by Alex Call and Jim Keller and performed by the band Tommy Tutone in 1982. The inspiration for the song came from a real-life incident when Alex Call wrote down a phone number on a bathroom wall during a gig. The next day, he received a call from a man asking if Jenny was there. That incident became the basis for the song. The band chose the fictitious phone number “867-5309” to fit the song’s melody. However, due to the song’s popularity, many people with that phone number received countless prank calls. So, while there could be real-life “Jennys” that inspired the song, the phone number itself was made up.
Discuss any personal experiences or connections the band had with “Jenny”
“Jenny” is the titular character of Tommy Tutone’s famous 1982 hit song “867-5309/Jenny.” While the band has never publicly divulged the real-life inspiration behind the song, they have mentioned a few personal experiences and connections with the song’s popularity. Lead singer Tommy Heath has shared that the song’s notoriety often causes him to be bombarded with calls and messages from fans, to the point where he has sometimes turned off his phone. The band also reportedly receives multiple requests to perform the song at concerts, despite having numerous other songs in their repertoire.
While there is no concrete information about the true identity of “Jenny,” the song has certainly left a lasting impact on both the band and its fans.
In the 1982 Song By the Band Tommy Tutone, What Was “Jenny’s” Number?
The song “867-5309/Jenny” was released by the band Tommy Tutone in 1982. The song is best known for its phone number, 867-5309, repeated throughout the track and even used as the title. But what was “Jenny’s” number in the song?
In this article, we’ll be exploring the answer to that question.
Analyze the lyrics of the song
The song ‘Jenny’s Number’ by the band Tommy Tutone was released in 1982 and became an instant hit. The song tells the story of a man trying to find a girl’s phone number, Jenny, that he saw advertised on a bathroom wall. The song’s lyrics are straightforward, and the chorus repeats Jenny’s number repeatedly – 867-5309.
Although the song was a massive hit, it caused quite a bit of controversy. So many people had the phone number, and they received countless calls from fans of the song. Some phone companies even disconnected the number due to the high number of calls.
The song was inspired by a real phone number that the lead singer, Tommy Tutone, saw on a bathroom wall. Despite this, the song and its lyrics have become synonymous with the ’80s pop culture.
Pro tip: If you ever come across a phone number in a restroom stall, it’s best not to call it!
Discuss the significance of “Jenny’s” number (867-5309) and how it impacted the song’s popularity
“Jenny’s” number, 867-5309, was a fictional phone number that became an iconic part of the 1982 song by the band Tommy Tutone. The song “867-5309/Jenny” was an instant hit and reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The number quickly became popular and even caused some real-life Jenny’s to receive unwanted calls from strangers. Some businesses, such as plumbing companies, even began using the number in their advertisements.
The song’s enduring popularity and the memorable phone number have made it a cultural touchstone. The number has appeared in movies, TV shows, and political campaigns.
In short, “Jenny’s” number not only helped the song become a hit but also continues to be a memorable and recognizable pop culture reference.
Explore the cultural impact of the song and its infamous phone number
Tommy Tutone’s song “867-5309/Jenny” had a significant cultural impact on society, elevating the popularity of the phone number and even causing problems for people with that number.
The catchy tune and memorable phone number inspired countless parodies, merchandise, and even lawsuits from people who had the unlucky phone number.
While the song was a hit, it became a burden for some unsuspecting people with the actual phone number, who were bombarded with prank calls and unwanted attention.
Regardless of its effects, “867-5309/Jenny” remains an iconic song that captures a moment in time and the power of music to permeate popular culture.
Pro tip: If you have a phone number that is similar or identical to a famous phone number like “Jenny’s” number, consider listing it as unlisted or changing it to avoid unwanted calls.
Cover Versions and Parodies
Tommy Tutone’s 1982 song “Jenny (867-5309)” has become popular over the years, resulting in various cover versions and parodies by other artists. Some of these cover versions and parodies have been wildly popular and have become almost as well known as the original version.
In this section, we’ll cover the song’s different cover versions and parodies and how they compare to the original.
Discuss the various artists who have covered the song
The song “867-5309/Jenny” by the band Tommy Tutone has been covered by various artists over the years, showcasing the enduring popularity of the catchy tune.
Some notable cover versions include:
– The Foo Fighters’ live version features guitarist Chris Shiflett on lead vocals.
– Green Day’s cover, which appears as a bonus track on the remastered version of their album “Warning.”
– Everclear’s version appears on their album “The Vegas Years.”
– “Weird Al” Yankovic’s parody version, “867-5309 (Parody),” which features the humorous lyrics “I threw away my cheese sandwich / But I kept the mayonnaise.”
These covers and parodies demonstrate the widespread cultural impact of this memorable song.
Analyze popular parodies of the song and their impact on the original
Parodies and covers of Tommy Tutone’s 1982 hit song “867-5309/Jenny” have significantly impacted the original song’s lasting relevance in pop culture.
A notable parody of the song is “867-5309/Jenny” by “Weird Al” Yankovic in which he sings about different telephone numbers that are not “Jenny’s” number. This parody added to the song’s popularity and helped it remain relevant in later years.
Another popular cover was by the band Everclear in 1999, which added a more modern rock sound to the song and extended its lifespan.
These parodies and covers have helped introduce the song to younger generations and kept it in the public consciousness, leading to its continued popularity on the radio and in popular culture.
Discuss any unexpected appearances of the song in pop culture
Tommy Tutone’s song “867-5309/Jenny” has garnered attention not only for its catchy tune but also for its unexpected appearances in pop culture. The song’s popularity led to several cover versions and parodies, including one by “Weird Al” Yankovic. Its memorable chorus has also made its way into various TV shows, movies, and commercials, including Family Guy and The Simpsons.
Interestingly, the song’s success had a downside. People with the actual phone number, 867-5309, received countless prank calls and unwanted attention, forcing some to disconnect their phone lines.
Nonetheless, “867-5309/Jenny” remains a staple of 1980s music and a fun reminder of the power of a catchy tune.