9 October 1996

This is an adaption of a song by Take 6, a fantastic American Gospel a cappella (ie. voices only) group. This song contains 9 voices (5 parts).

18 secs

If you really want to talk to me
You'd leave me a message now
I'll call you back as soon as I get home

25 January 1997

This is an adaptation of the popular 50's song by The Four Aces, featured in "Back To The Future" and numerous other movies. This song has a music background and 4 voices (3 parts).

24 secs

Mister Sandman, please call again
Or at the beep you can leave me your name
Thanks for calling, you're my friend
I'll call you back as soon as I can

25 January 1997

This is an adaptation of a song by All 4 One (who brought you "I Swear"). This song is a cappella, with lead vocals plus 5 more voices (5 parts).

27 secs

I'm afraid to say I'm not at home
Or I just can't come to the phone
But if you, want me to, call you back real soon
You know what to do, know what to do

25 January 1997

Yes, this is an adaptation of the song by Take That, in my opinion one of the best songs they ever did.
(v2) - Just a shortened version of the above - the same thing, but fades out before the second verse.
(v3) - Another shortened version - this one cuts out the intro and has the two verses and ending

v1 - 37 secs, v2 - 20 secs, v3 - 30 secs

(There is no one at home...)
Whatever you do, don't hang up the phone (whatever you do, don't hang up)
Leave a message, I will try to call you back
(Call you back, call you back, call you back real soon)
Whoever you are, whatever you want (whoever you are, don't matter)
Leave a message, promise I will call you back
(Call you back, call you back)
I'll call you back real soon

- .wav (v1) (792 kB)
- .wav (v2) (432 kB)
- .wav (v3) (526 kB)

- .mp3 (v1) (574 kB)

9 March 1997

"Short People" is a very funny a cappella song by the King's Singers, which never fails to make the vertically-challenged frown disapprovingly (albeit due to misinterpretation). This adaptation, however, has none of the "controversial" lyrics, and is made up of 11 voices, with 7 parts.

20 secs

I'm sorry there's nobody
So sorry there's nobody
I'm sorry there's nobody at home
(There's nobody at home)

16 March 1997

Another adaptation of a Take 6 a cappella classic. All-in there are 8 voices, 6 parts.  (See message no. (23) for an alternative and shorter version of this song.

26 secs

Leave a message (I want you to leave me)
Leave me a message
Oh won't you leave me a message
Cos there's nobody home now to take your call
So please, leave a message

29 March 1997

This Queen classic needs no introduction. It has been used in quite a few movies, including Wayne's World (the car scene!). 8 voices, with 4 parts, plus a piano (and some effects).

29 secs

Is this a real voice? No this is an answerphone
In a little while, I'll be home
Leave your name, at the tone
Go on make me happy
Go on leave a message for me, for me

1 April 1997

The Bobby McFerrin mega hit. This song, including the background percussion, is totally a cappella, and is made up of the lead vocals plus 8 other parts.
(v2) - A shortened version of the above - the same thing but ends earlier.

v1 - 39 secs, v2 - 26 secs

Here's my answering machine
I've probably gone out to play, it seems
But don't worry, leave a message
Don't worry leave a message (x2)
When you worry call me, leave a message, it'll make you happy

28 April 1997

This one is from my all-time favourite "classical" composer, George Gershwin. This adaptation is adapted from an adaption originally adapted by Glad, the gospel a cappella singers. 5 parts, plus vocals.

29 secs

The way you don't say a word
The way you never speak
It's getting so absurd
The way you never leave a message for me
No, no you never leave a message for me

4 May 1997

Another a cappella adaptation of a George Gershwin adaptation, originally adapted by Glad and now adapted by myself. 7 voices in all, made of 5 parts plus vocals.

24 secs

I could cry salty tears
Never got a message all these years
So if I'm out, if I'm asleep
Please leave a message at the beep

25 May 1997

This song (by the Rembrandts) is probably known to most people as the theme song from the TV sit-com "Friends". This adaptation also marks my first totally-digital audio production using my newly acquired Soundscape digital audio workstation!
(v2) - A shortened version of the above - just has the ending "I'll be there for you" bit.
NB - Many thanks to Shawn (SirLouie) Lewis for doing the original midi file.

v1 - 35 secs, v2 - 17 secs

You better leave a message before you go away
I don't believe that there is nothing you could say
I'll be back for you (when I will return your call)
I'll get back to you (if you say you want me to)

6 June 1997

This was one of the first a cappella songs I ever heard and which sparked off my interest in a cappella. Original version by Huey Lewis & The News, this adaptation is made up of the lead vocals plus five parts.

31 secs

Well I can't take your call, I'm not home afterall
Looks as if it's not your lucky day
But here to intervene, is my answering machine
It'll take all you have to say
So baby won't you please, leave a message for me
mmm... at the beep

6 June 1997

This is adapted from an a cappella rendition of the Sting hit by the Michigan Amazin' Blue, a US college a cappella group. Consists of lead vocals plus five parts.

33 secs

I don't think I am home right now my dear
But my answerphone is here
Leave a message if you really are sincere
I will call you back have no fear
Oh, I will call you back, promise I will call you back
I will call you back soon my dear

10 August 1997

This is a totally a cappella song from Vocal Sampling, a great Cuban a cappella group (I think the title means "I have one more form/style" - ie. a cappella). Consists of 6 voices - three parts, plus vocal percussion.

23 secs

Oh don't be such a fool, go on leave me a message
If you hang up and don't say nothing you know it'll really make me sad
Oh don't be such a jerk, go on leave me a message
If you don't leave a message for me you know it'll really make me mad

13 August 1997

Here's a very short message! Not sure who the original song artistes were, but this is based on an a cappella adaptation by the Housejacks. This song is all voices except for the drums, and has about 10-11 parts.

10 secs

You know what you've gotta do
(c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon... yeah...)

31 August 1997

This is an old classic, which was more recently used in Lion King. This version is based on various versions of the song from various groups, including The Nylons (great group!). It is a cappella except for the drums, and has a whopping 11 parts and voices. Many thanks to Sandie for her "guest appearance" (she did the very high suprano vocals which I can't even dream of reaching! High C!).

27 secs

In this home, this quiet home, there's no one in tonight
In this home, this quiet home, there's no one in tonight
No one home, no one home, no there's no one home
(There's no one home, there's no one home...)

18 September 1997

This song is an oldie originally by The Penguins, and was featured in Back To The Future. Based on an adaptation by The Essentials, this number is a cappella, and has lead vocals plus 4 parts (6 voices).

28 secs

Earth angel, earth angel, won't you be kind
Give me a message, I'll treasure it for all time
What must I do, to get a message from you?
(oh, from you, let it be true, message from you)

23 September 1997

Another classic, originally by the Temptations. This is another a cappella number based on an adaptation by The Essentials. Has about 7 parts, sung with around 10 voices (plus hand snaps and phone rings!).

30 secs

I bought myself an answering machine
Well, I guess you say, who could call me up today
(Ring ring) My girl... that must be my girl.. Good girl!

1 October 1997

This song was originally performed by Neil Sedaka and was a #1 hit for him in 1962 (or so I've been told). Whatever the case, it's one of those very familiar-sounding barbershop songs. This version is a cappella and is based on an adaptation by The Essentials. 7 parts and 8 voices, one of the shorter ones.

16 secs

Don't you hang up the phone on me
Don't you leave my heart in misery
If you do, you'd hurt me so
Leave your name before you go

7 October 1997

Great song by the Nylons.  This adaptation is particularly appropriate for telling callers you're screening calls.  A cappella, around 5 parts and 9 voices.

23 secs

Hi, hello, what do you want from me?
What's your name, tell me why I should talk to you?
Speak now, what can I do for you?

17 November 1997

An Elvis classic (not Bobby Brown!).  A cappella plus percussion, 4 parts plus lead vocals.

19 secs

If you know what's best for you
And if you're not a fool
Then when I'm not at home
You'd speak to my answerphone
Don't be cruel, do what you should do

17 November 1997

Another Elvis number (no I'm not an Elvis freak, altho' I swear I spotted him the other day...).  This also provides an exception to when I say that these answ. mach. messages are all either a cappella or high harmony, cos this one is neither (it has music and has a grand total of ONE voice part - the lead vocals)!.

21 secs

Well since my baby left me
T there's just no one left at home
No one to take your call except my
Answerin' machine now baby
Oh leave a message for me, please leave a message
If you don't leave one, I would die

7 December 1997

This is another version of the same song as message (6), adapted from the incredible Take 6.  This one's much shorter and contains the bit I like the most from the song. Totally a cappella, 6 parts, 6 voices.

10 secs

There ain't nobody home now to take your call

21 December 1997

Here it is, as requested by all you Spice Girls fans out there.  Many many thanks to Sandie for sing this for me (there are about 20 of her, singing 5 parts). Hmm, I think she's sung it so well I might be redundant very soon...

13 secs

If you wanna be my lover
You have got to leave (you've got to leave)
Leave your name and number
Cos that's the way it is
If you wanna be my lover

9 March 1998

A short a cappella number in the form of a countdown, originally from Boyz II Men's "Uhh Ahh" (part of their brilliant Cooley High Harmony album). You may choose to use a wave editor like Cool Edit to edit out the speech after the countdown and add whatever you want to say.

11 secs

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
It's time to talk

17 April 1998

This is an adaptation of a song originally by Des'ree, based on an a cappella version superbly done by Off The Beat.  This has about 10 parts (including the percussion which is also "sung"!), and has about 30 voices.

21 secs

Listen up you silly fool, if you wanna be real cool
Then I don't have to tell you what you've gotta do
Ya gotta be, ya gotta be good
Y a gotta be kind, ya gotta leave a message
All I know all I know is I ain't home right now, uh uh

6 May 1998

This is a "Boyzone" song. Not much else to say, really.

17 secs

You didn't call me for fun, girl
I am not that dumb, girl
You called me for a reason
Let the reason be known

9 May 1998

A Backstreet Boys song.
v2 - A slightly shorter version, without the intro hi-hats, and fades out earlier (exactly the same as the preview version).

v1 - 16 secs, v2 - 11 secs

I don't care who you are
Why you called, what you want
As long as you leave your name

- .wav (v1) (365 kB)
- .wav (v2) (273 kB)

- .mp3 (v1) (266 kB)

19 July 1998

The Bee Gees classic from Saturday Night Fever. One of my all-time favourite messages as the modified lyrics are very close to the original!
v2 - A shortened version of the above - fades out earlier.

v1 - 27 secs, v2 - 21 secs

Well you can tell by the way I answer your call
There's no one home, no one at all
But it's alright, it's okay, cos I'll be home sometime today
Leave your name, at the beep, I'll call you back before I sleep
Whether you're my brother or whether you're my mother
Speak after the beep, after the beep
I said ah, ah, ah, ah, after the beep... (oohyeah!)

- .wav (v1) (604 kB)
- .wav (v2) (466 kB)

- .mp3 (v1) (439 kB)

20 September 1998

This is the one from Sam Cooke that goes "Dunno much about history..." (not to be confused with the Louis Armstrong one, which is message No. 34).

19 secs

Dunno much about algebra
Dunno much about who you are
But I do know that I'm not home
And you know this is my answerphone
So leave a wonderful message for me

20 September 1998

Also the Sam Cooke version, but this one is adapted from another part of the song - the bridge part that goes, "I don't claim, to be an 'A' student..."  If you use Version #1 a lot, you may want to use this instead for a change sometimes.

19 secs

Well, I don't claim to be here this moment
But I long to be
Cos maybe by being here this moment baby
You won't hear this stupid machine
Dunno much about why you call...

4 December 1998

Merry Christmas!! This one is adapted from a Boys II Men rendition of the song.  Another a capella number - 5 parts, with almost 30 voices.

18 secs

Silent night, no one in sight
So please speak at the beep

26 September 1999

The superb song by Hot Chocolate, featured in "The Full Monty".   This adaptation has music background, with lead vocals and 4 other parts.
v2 - A shortened version of the above.

v1 - 27 secs, v2 - 20 secs

I believe in miracles, when you call
Y ou sexy thing (sexy thing, you)
I believe in miracles, when you leave your name
You sexy thing (sexy thing, sexy thing)

- .wav (v1) (605kB)
- .wav (v2) (444 kB)

- .mp3 (v1) (439 kB)

3 October 1999

This is the one from Louis Armstrong that goes "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..." (not to be confused with the Sam Cooke one, which is No. 30 and 31 above).  This adaptation is also another exception to the rule, in that there is no harmony and only has one voice.  The first version of the adapted answering machine message ends with "who the hell can it be", which may offend some people.
v2 - A more "polite" version, which ends with "who on earth can it be".

v1and v2 - 28 secs

I hear my phone ring, but I'm too busy
I'll leave it for my answering machine
And I think to myself... who the hell can it be?

17 January 2000

This is the Michael Jackson hit from his "Bad" album. This version is adapted from an excellent a cappella rendition of the song by Amalgamates, which is packed full of voices and harmony. A great song to savour for all a cappella and harmony fans, as it has 10 parts in total (plus a drum track), sung with over 30 voices.

22 secs

Just one message gets me all so excited
If you wanna make the world a better place
Leave a message for me, at least leave your name
Na na na, na na na, na na na na... leave your name

14 July 2000

This song was originally recorded and made popular by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr., and recently revived by Will Smith and also sung by Dr. Evil in Austin Powers - The Spy Who Shagged Me - with Mini-Me! :)
v2 - shorter version, without the intro.

v1 - 26 secs, v2 - 21 secs, v3 - 12 secs

(Leave your name for us)
From the first time the phone rang all across the hall
I knew there was no way, no way to take your call
There ain't nobody home but if it's one of us you seek
Then at the beep you speak
Leave your name for us, you can do it if you try
leave your name for us, don't be shy

10 November 2000

Yep, the mega-hit by Ricky Martin.
v2 - shorter version, without the intro.

v1 - 37 secs, v2 - 25 secs

I'm into superstition
I knew that you would call
So I turned on my answerphone before I left this home (c'mon)
Outside, I'm outside
I'm livin' la vida loca
So how 'bout now you try
Leavin' your name and nomba (c'mon)
Leavin' your name and nomba (go on)
Leavin' your name and nomba