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While singing some jingles in the studio in early 1977, she caught the attention of former Bloodrock vocalist Jim Rutledge who introduced her to music producer Boomer Castleman. Wilson began recording for his BNA Records label and recorded a song, "Telephone Man", the story of a woman and her amorous adventures with her telephone technician, filled with suggestive lyrics and her breathy squealing voice. The song became a surprise hit single, climbing the UK Singles Chart to #6, spending ten weeks in the listings, as well as making it to #18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became a gold record, selling over one million copies in the U.S. alone.[1] The song became a favorite on the "Dr. Demento Radio Show". "Telephone Man" and "Telephone Line", ELO's song, were back-to-back on Hot 100's top 40 for two non-consecutive weeks in the summer of 1977.On the strength of the song's hit, she rapidly put together an album of songs after quickly being signed with the GRT Records label and released her first and only album, First Take. Unfortunately, the album yielded no further hits, and after the novelty's appeal waned, she went back to singing jingles, modelling and song writing. She also continued to write more novelty songs, including "Peter The Meter Reader," "Dick The DJ", "Santa's Coming," and "My Valentine's Funny," but none of the songs matched the success of her first release.I used to think that Meri Wilson’s 1977 Top 20 hit “Telephone Man” was absolutely hilarious– of course, I was ten years old at the time. Now I think it’s hilarious for entirely different reasons, but I still believe that Meri beats out Chuck Berry in the Best ’70s Ding-A-Ling Song contest by a solid six inches or so…


Meri Wilson: First Take

GRT Records, 1977


1. “Silver Blue Mercedes” (Wilson/Brandt)


2. “Midnight In Memphis” (Castleman)


3. “Two Sides” (Davis)


4. “Telephone Man” (Wilson)


5. “The Angel In Me” (Wilson)


6. “There’s A Whole Let More (Where That Came From)” (Kelly/Harrison)


7. “He Lost His Faith” (Castleman)


8. “Rub-A-Dub-Dub” (Edwards/Jenkins)


9. “Itinerary” (Wilson)


10. “Everytime I Sing A Love Song” (Molinary/Sklero)



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